Avoid the locals

Very few of the pubs are worth walking round the corner for let alone one or two miles.

If you are arriving via Milton Keynes Central railway station Wetherspoons and The Secklow Hundred (both below) aren't far and both are better than average versions of the genre. There's nothing we'd bother with in Bletchley.

The Secklow Hundred; 316, Midsummer Boulevard. From the Lloyds No.1 Bar part of the Wetherspoon stable. They tend to be slightly more 'youthful' in style than the main Wetherspoon chain, though in truth there's not a lot of difference. A stone throw from Wetherspoons (below) and thus pretty much the same distance to the station. Not to be confused with the other Lloyds No.1 Bar in Milton Keynes which is called er, Lloyds No.1 Bar and is up near the other Wetherspoon (The Moon Under Water)! Wetherspoons; 201, Midsummer Boulevard. Unusual for Wetherspoon in that it looks purpose built - but then there aren't any old buildings to take over in Milton Keynes. One of the chain that has broken the tradition of Wetherspoon's and shows Sky and Setanta sports channels. Less than ten minutes walk from Milton Keynes Central railway station. There is a yet another Wetherspoon - The Moon Under Water - but this is another a mile or so on at the further end of the shopping centre. If Driving in: The Woolpack: 57, Well Street, Buckingham. 3 mile drive door to door from here to stadium:mk. This is a pub in Bucks connected to stalwart Yeovil Town supporter Brian Taylor but your still guaranteed a friendly welcome! Has two real ales on permanently: Black Sheep Best and Timothy Taylor Landlord; plus a couple of different guests every week. Also Carling, Food served, children allowed, garden, heated patio for the smokers.

If you have to:

The Beacon: The closest pub is about fifteen minutes from the ground, in Mount Farm, Bletchley.

The only choice for a beer if on one of the supporters club coaches. However, it has nothing to recommend it, well, friendly staff.

(Many thanks to the drinkers at www.ciderspace.co.uk for all their help with this article and www.beerintheevening.com for the pub photos.)