Bradwell and Bradwell Abbey

Bradwell and Bradwell Abbey are both situated North West of Central Milton Keynes. Bradwell is a residential area and there is an industrial area adjacent to the Bradwell Abbey site, just off the Stacey Bushes roundabout from Monks Way. The Bradwell Abbey site was a medieval Benedictine Priory and now is a Schedule Ancient Monument site occupied by the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre. Bradwell Abbey’s Scheduled Ancient Monument status reflects its national importance. The site contains the greater part of the medieval precinct of a priory with a rare standing building that was a dedicated pilgrimage chapel and contains unique medieval wall paintings depicting pilgrimage.

A Brief History of Bradwell Abbey
The priory at Bradwell was founded in 1154 as a sister house to Luffield Priory in Northamptonshire. There were never a large number of monks at the priory, but even this small number was further diminished by the arrival of the Black Death in the 14th Century culminating in the death of the prior, William de Loughton in 1349. Before the arrival of the plague, around 1330, the chapel of St. Mary dedicated to 'Our Lady of Bradwell' was built against the western front of the church. This was, it is thought, in response to the discovery of healing properties of a statue of the Virgin Mary displayed in a niche on the west front of the church and would have been seized upon as an opportunity for much needed revenue. Monks would probably have sold pilgrims’ badges as souvenirs and holy charms. This building still stands on the site and it is here that the unique medieval wall paintings may be viewed by appointment. The site is open to the pubic who are welcome to stroll across it.
Contact us on (01908) 227229 or see our website at www.mkcdc.org.uk

City Discovery Centre
The Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre’s main role is to provide educational services. These are predominately concerned with urban geography and city planning, together with local history. We provide workshops and study tours for students from Key Stage 1 to A level and beyond, welcoming groups of undergraduates and post-graduates from the UK and abroad. We provide study tours for overseas planning professionals and government officials. Last year, we have welcomed visitors from such places as China, South Korea and Iraq, to name but a few. We have an extensive archive on site which houses the fullest collection of material concerning the development of Milton Keynes, including 10 000 photographic images. We provide office space and venues for meetings, weddings, parties, conferences and events using a refurbished 14th Century tithe or Cruck barn, the extensive grounds, other listed buildings and the David Lock Resource Centre. Income generated directly supports the Charity. History of the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre Established in 1987 and registered as an Educational Charity. Largely self-funded. Promoting a greater appreciation and understanding of the historical, natural and built environments of the new city of Milton Keynes, as well as the Urban Planning behind the city model. Home to the most extensive archive of the planning and development of Milton Keynes; including many key documents; photographs; maps; architectural models and much more. Meetings, functions and events venue for the community of the greater Milton Keynes area

Places Of Worship:
Bradwell St. Lawrence Ecumenical Church, Bradwell Church House, 1a Atterbrook, Bradwell. Tel: MK 320850.

First Schools (ages 4 to 8):
Priory Common First School, Scatterhill Close, Bradwell.

Middle Schools (ages 8 to 12):
Bradwell Village County Middle School, Walgrave Drive, Bradwell. Tel: MK 318088.