Discovering MK is a new smartphone app launching on 31st July 2017. Celebrating MK’s 50th birthday year, the app encourages residents and visitors to get out and explore Milton Keynes, discovering the places and spaces that make this city unique.

Inspired by the Pokémon Go craze, the Discovering MK app reveals an interactive trail of 50 hidden gems around the city.  At each location along the trail, you can unlock information about the landmark, challenge yourself, your family and friends to a fun mini quiz and upload a ‘selfie’ to show you are there.  With a range of competitions and prize draws through the year, we hope you join in and share your selfies on social media.

Developed by Arts & Heritage Alliance MK and MK21, the free app, available via Google Play and Apple Store, commemorates Milton Keynes 50th Anniversary and celebrates this unique and diverse city.  See the website for links to the app: www.discoveringmk.com

Francesca Skelton, Chair of AHA-MK said:

 We are delighted to launch this exciting new app inviting residents, families and visitors to share our Discovering MK adventure this summer.  The app features both known, and more hidden, modern and historical landmarks that tell the story of contemporary Milton Keynes and its heritage. We hope you all have fun!

Perfect for family days out and summer fun, the app can be completed on a leisurely stroll or a fast pace cycle ride using MK’s extensive network of redways and the Santander Cycles MK scheme.

You may not realise it, but there are so many unexpected surprises in Milton Keynes. To uncover them all, the trail is split into five areas, exploring Milton Keynes’ modern and heritage buildings, rich history, iconic public art and blooming woodlands and parks.

The challenge has been set – can you unlock all 50 landmarks around the city?

You can share your journey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #DiscoveringMK.

This project has been generously supported with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, MK Community Foundation, MK Council and Santander Cycles MK.

NOTES:

 Arts and heritage Alliance Milton Keynes (AHA-MK)

AHA-MK is a forum of organisations that work together to position the arts and heritage sectors as strategic contributors to the community and economy.  Leading our members, we work in partnership to take advantage of the unique landscape of Milton Keynes and its growth agenda – looking towards a thriving and internationally renowned creative future for Milton Keynes.

AHA-MK champions the rich heritage and creative future of Milton Keynes through activities that inspire greater cultural ambition and aspiration, and which nurture cultural development. Our core values are to work collaboratively to represent, promote and develop our members, and to provide the cultural leadership that will make a major contribution to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Milton Keynes in 2017 and to a bid for European Capital of Culture 2023.

This project has been developed specifically for MK50: Celebrating 50 years of Milton Keynes, to promote the fantastic hidden landmarks and heritage that tell the story of our unique New Town.

AHA-MK is a registered charity (number 1158874).

W: www.aha-mk.org

Contact for further info: Lallie Davis – aha-mk@milton-keynes.gov.uk / 01908 252096