Family Party

What’s on the Agenda?

Pre-3.00pm: We will be in the venue setting up – you’re very welcome to join if you arrive early!

3.00pm: Arrive! We’ll have teas, coffees, and snacks waiting for you.

3.30pm: Photos and bubbly.

5.00pm: Buffet-style main meal, speeches between courses.

8.00pm: Karaoke and dancing – start thinking about your song choices!

11.00pm: Music off, on to a bar for those with stamina.

12.00pm: Venue chucking-out time!

Getting There

Milton Keynes has great rail links with fast trains from London Euston that take 40 mins. It’s a short car trip from the Station to the Arts Centre and we can help organise lifts/taxis closer to the time.

There’s plenty of parking at the Arts Centre and surrounding area for anyone driving.

Accommodation

For anyone who wants to stay afterwards, we have pre-booked a number of rooms at Hotel La Tour for the night of the 15th. The hotel is a 10min drive away from the venue, and rooms cost £50pp for bed and breakfast (children under three are free). Check-in is from 3pm, but you can drop your bags early, or take an early check-in for £10/hour. We have a mix of doubles, twins, and family rooms – if you would like one, indicate it on your RSVP form, or get in touch.

Milton Keynes also has plenty of other hotels which you can explore if you wish!

Food Menu

We will have two main course options:

• Salmon fillets with a parmesan and herb crust and lemon and herb mayonnaise
• Polenta tart with sweet potato, leeks, tomato, and goat’s cheese

If you gave any dietary requirements with your RSVP, you will automatically get a suitably adjusted version of your chosen dish. We also plan on pastries, nibbles, cheese and crackers, and cake though the day! If you are worried the options won’t suit you or your little one, just let us know.

Sunday 16th

We have a rough itinerary for Sunday 16th. Feel free to join for some or all, or do your own thing, totally flexible!

8:00-10:30: Breakfast at Hotel la Tour

Everyone staying at the hotel will have breakfast included. Whether those staying elsewhere can join us will depend on how full the hotel is that night, we should be able to enquire nearer the time.

10:30-12:30: Relax

Maybe a walk in Campbell park, or a snoop around the art gallery!

12:30-2:00: Lunch at Sultans

We will book a table for anyone who would like to join for lunch at this Mediterranean restaurant, a 5 min walk from the hotel.

2:30-5:00: Pottery painting at Playful Pottery

A nice excuse to sit and chat – you can paint something for yourself or for us. The venue is a 10 min drive from the hotel. Pieces start from from £3, and we will bring along any leftover drinks from the party!

Dress Code

We don’t have a rigid dress code, and certainly don’t expect you to buy anything new for any of these events. Our priority is for you to be happy and comfortable! That said, we’d love you dress up in something special. Maybe an item you especially love and don’t get to wear every day: a dress, suit, jumpsuit, trousers, or shirt. All colours and styles are on the table. Katherine won’t be wearing white (but Matthew might). We appreciate this is vague, so if you’re baffled just ask.

Gifts

You making the effort to celebrate with us is all we really want, especially those of you coming from further afield. For anyone who wants to get us something regardless, click below to see some ideas.

Things to Do

Let’s rehabilitate Milton Keynes’ image! There are lots of fun things to do in the area.

The MK Gallery will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with an Andy Warhol exhibition.

Woburn Safari Park is 15min away, and makes a fun day out, especially for children.

Bletchley Park and the National Museum of Computing are 10min away, for anyone interested in the birth of computer science.

If we are blessed with good weather, there are some lovely spots for walks including: Campbell Park, Linford Lakes Nature Reserve, and Willen Lake.