The XScape on Avebury Blvd Milton Keynes contains Europe's largest indoor 'real snow' ski and snowboard slope, two 15 metre indoor rock climbing walls, various specialised gyms, pools and saunas, a huge musical instrument store specializing in synthesisers, drum-kits, electric guitars etc., various themed restaurants and clubs (one featuring a complete enclosed multi-level replica of a New Orleans street during Mardi Gras), and a 16 screen cinema multiplex. Unfortunately the The Land Rover Exploratorium has recently been relocated.
Two additional Multiplex Cinemas (one with 10 screens) are about five minutes walk from the Xscape, next to the "Centre MK" which is Europe's largest covered shopping Centre (in terms of floor area) with palm and banana trees & Mediterranean style pavement Cafes and Restaurants all year round. The Centre MK is over 1km long and secondary malls spread for the same distance east of the main malls. Although the main part of the "Centre MK" has only just over 200 stores these are of a much larger scale than most other major shopping malls worldwide. There are plans currently in the late stages to significantly increase the size of the centre. There are currently over 16,000 spaces all on one level. The majority of spaces are free and within a short walk of the centre. These will be supplemented by multi-storey pay-parking.
Next to the Centre MK and close to the XScape is the extensive Central Business Exchange - the city's prestigious business centre.
More photos soon (just as soon as I take them, given the foul British weather) of the city's ecological housing (from pioneering 1960's ecological developments to the modern zero-energy developments), the complex of car-free cycle-ways (Redways), landscaped pedestrian paths, lakes, villages and nature reserves.
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