Coventry to Milton Keynes drive: Best stops, distance & time

Finding things to do between Coventry and Milton Keynes

The drive from Coventry to Milton Keynes takes you from the West Midlands to a new city with a surprising amount of history.

Coventry Cathedral is the top attraction in Coventry. Other Coventry experiences include Cathedral Quarter history walks, more in-depth guided walks that look at Coventry’s track record for invention and flying a jet simulator.

Oft-maligned Milton Keynes is a new town gradually coming into its own. There are lots of fun attractions here, including the Snozone indoor ski centre and indoor skydiving at iFly.

Top of the list of Milton Keynes experiences, however, should be Bletchley Park. This was the secret codebreaking centre in World War II, where teams of mathematicians and scientists made key breakthroughs that turned the tide of the war. The stories are fascinating, and the on-site National Museum of Computing takes you through the history of computers.

Coventry to Milton Keynes distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Coventry to Milton Keynes is 49 miles. That makes for a driving time of 57 minutes. The quickest route is along the A45, M45 and M1.

The best stops to add to a Coventry to Milton Keynes road trip itinerary are Draycote Water, Althorp Estate and Stoke Bruerne.

Things to do between Coventry and Milton Keynes: Draycote Water

Draycote Water is a reservoir supplying water to Rugby and Coventry, but it has become a popular recreation spot, too. Fishing and watersports are possibilities, with the Draycote Sailing Club hiring out paddleboards and offering sailing lessons.

Otherwise, there’s a five mile loop track around the lake, which can be tackled either on foot or by bike.

Coventry to Milton Keynes road trip stops: Althorp Estate

A ten minute detour off the M1, the Althorp Estate is home to one of England’s finest and most lavishly decorated stately homes. The Spencer family still lives there and tours are seasonal.

However, most visitors are going for the Diana connection. Althorp was Princess Diana of Wales’ family home, and her grave is on the estate.

Coventry to Milton Keynes drive: The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne

Stoke Bruerne is a pretty little village on the Grand Union Canal. The Canal Museum here looks at life on the canals, with interactive displays showing what it has historically been like to live and work on Britain’s canals.

There’s a narrow boat parked outside – the Sculptor – which is now a museum boat with a convoluted backstory. During World War II, it was pressed into action putting out fires in London.

Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes.
Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes. Photo by jonmdyson/ Pixabay.

More Coventry road trips

Coventry to Birmingham | Leicester to Coventry | Luton to Coventry | Northampton to Coventry | Coventry to Nottingham | Tamworth to Coventry.

More Milton Keynes road trips

Milton Keynes to Birmingham | Derby to Milton Keynes | Leeds to Milton Keynes | Leicester to Milton Keynes | Sheffield to Milton Keynes.