Bletchley Park
Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
Anyone who loves learning a little bit of history will love Bletchley Park. Home of the Codebreakers, it played a huge part in World War II it’s seen as the birthplace of modern information technology.
What is there to do at Bletchley Park?
Just outside of Milton Keynes, Bletchley Park is well signposted, has plenty of parking and looks so exciting from the very start – as it’s like driving into an army base. We paid £1 on top of the entrance fee to get the children an activity pack each which kept them entertained throughout our visit with things to spot, activities to complete and codes to break.
There’s a lot of information at Bletchley Park and so much to learn. This can be quite heavy in places but there were so many hands-on exhibits that the children didn’t get bored. Bletchley Park taught us about the Enigma machines, the stages followed to break wartime codes, old vehicles used to carry messages from one place to another during the war and a vast cinematic D-Day exhibition.
Bletchley Park has a lot of outside space to explore with a beautiful lake and grounds as well as a great play area which was compact but made the children happy and let them burn off some steam. We got to see inside the codebreaker’s working lives – with the Commander’s office set up how it would have been back then, the Library and even the huts that the codebreakers worked from. We had the chance to create our own codes whilst also listening to recordings of people who used to work at Bletchley Park. It was fascinating!
Bletchley Park taught us so much about an aspect of the war that we had never really had a chance to learn previously and one that it felt so good to teach the children about. They know about physical war but Bletchley Park taught them that there was so much more to WW2 – and so much more that we have to thank our ancestors for. It really is a fantastic day out for all the family – and one that would be great to take the grandparents with you to experience too.
Further Information Bletchley Park
Is there food and drink available?
Hut 4 Cafe – Serving hot food, cakes, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Pop-up takeaway café outside Block B and on sunny days the Hut 1 kiosk is open serving refreshing ice cream and snacks.
What are the main things to do?
Historical museum about the codebreakers of WWII. Kids activity packs for £1. Lake, outdoor playground and plenty of hands-on exhibits. There is a cafe and toilets.
What are the ticket prices?
Tickets are £21 for an adult, £12.50 for children aged 12-17 and children under 12 are free. The fact children are free under the age of 12 makes it good value but once you have purchased your tickets you can return as much as you like for free for the next 12 months.
Prices are subject to change and/or discounts online.
Is there parking?
There is free parking.
When are they open?
Bletchley Park is open for most of the year. For up-to-date opening times and dates please follow this link.
Dog friendly?
Only assistance dogs are permitted.
Are they accessible?
Guest post with thanks to Donna from What the Redhead Said. Read her full review of Bletchley Park.
