Directions to the National Energy Centre

The National Energy Centre (NEC) is based in Milton Keynes about 3km South of the city centre on Davy Avenue just off H7 Chaffron Way, which runs parallel North of the A421.

Download directions, with map (pdf 100kb)

By train from London (Euston): Take any train North from London Euston station that stops at Milton Keynes Central. The final destination will vary. London Midland trains might be going to Milton Keynes Central (usually slower) or Northampton. Virgin trains are usually faster and may be going to Nirmingham, Chester, Holyhead, Glasgow, Preston, Manchester, Liverpool or a number of other destinations. NOT ALL VIRGIN TRAINS STOP AT MILTON KEYNES - and cheap tickets may not be valid at peak periods.

By bus from Luton Airport: Look for the Virgin Trains bus (VT99) to Milton Keynes Central rail station. There are other less frequent buses to Central Milton Keynes or MK Coachway on National Express Services; these run later in the evening than the VT99.

By train from Stansted Airport: Take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale (the station before the end of the line), and then the Victoria Line (underground) to Euston. Then follow the train instructions above. This is easier than taking the Stansted train to the Liverpool Street terminus; underground trains from Liverpool Street go to Euston Square, which is 10 minutes' walk from the main Euston Railway station. There are direct coaches from Stansted to Milton Keynes coachway approximately every 2 hours, from where it is possible to take a taxi.

By train from London Gatwick Airport: The easiest way is to take any train to Clapham Junction, and then change to a Southern Train to Milton Keynes Central. There is an hourly service from Clapham Junction, leaving at 38 minutes past each hour. Alternatives include taking the Gatwick Express to Victoria station, then taking the Victoria Line (underground) to Euston or taking the Thameslink train to London Bridge station, then taking the Northern Line (underground) to Euston.

From the Eurostar terminal: The Eurostar terminal is in London's St Pancras station. It's a 10 minute walk or take the Northern Line (underground) to Euston and then follow the train instructions.

By bus & train from Heathrow: (1) The best way is probably to take the underground (Piccadilly Line) to Green Park, then the Victoria Line to London Euston, and by train from there as before.
(2) You can also take a bus (National Express) from the Heathrow Central Bus Station to Milton Keynes Coachway, which is located next to junction 14 on the M1. From there you need to take a Bus 300 to central Milton Keynes or the railway station. A taxi from Coachway is likely to be expensive.
Please note that the Railair link was discontinued in 2008. We also do not recommend taking the Heathrow Express rail link as it is expensive and terminates at Paddington, which means that you would still have to take the underground to Euston Square station, then take 5 minute walk to reach the mainline station for Milton Keynes.

By train from Birmingham International Airport: Take any train South to London that stops at Milton Keynes Central. There is now only one direct train an hour (often at 40 minutes past). London Midland trains will require making a change at Northampton.

If all this is confusing, you can find a rail timetable at National Rail Enquiries

BY FOOT OR CYCLE from Milton Keynes Central station (about 15-25 minutes walk):- On leaving the station turn right and at the end of the building (in front of La Hind Restaurant) turn right again onto a footbridge that crosses the railway and main A5. At the end of this bridge turn left, then keep straight ahead (passing under one main road) for around half a mile, keeping the main road and railway on your left. On the right there are three lakes (known as the teardrop lakes). When you cross the little bridge follow the path round to the left with the fourth teardrop lake on your left. At the path junction just before the next underpass, fork right and at the top of the slope turn right into the National Energy Centre. The National Energy Foundation building is the rear of the two buildings on site, with its distinctive sawtooth roofline.

BY CAR from the M1: Leave the motorway at Junction 14 (A509), following the sign to Milton Keynes. Go straight ahead (following H6 Childs Way) at the next 10 roundabouts until you cross the bridge over the railway (and A5); take the next turning left into Davy Avenue (signposted Knowlhill). The National Energy Centre is the last building on the left.

BY CAR from other directions: From the A421 (Oxford & Buckingham) - follow A421 straight across all roundabouts until you reach the junction with V4 (Watling Street). Turn left at this roundabout, then right at the next one onto H7 (Chaffron Way). Take the first road on the left (Davy Avenue); the National Energy Centre is the first entrance on the right.
From the A421 (Bedford) cross the M1 at junction 13, then continue on A421 into Milton Keynes, until the roundabout with V6 (Grafton Street). Turn right here, and then turn left at the next roundabout onto H7 (Chaffron Way). The road passes on a bridge over the railway and A5; take the first road on the right (Davy Avenue) and the National Energy Centre is the first entrance on the right.
From the A5 (Towcester or Dunstable), it is best to leave at the junction for A421. At this junction follow the signs for Central Milton Keynes, which takes you onto V6 (Grafton Street). Go straight across the first roundabout (which is in fact the A421) then at the next roundabout turn left onto H7 (Chaffron Way). The road passes on a bridge back over the railway and A5; take the first road on the right (Davy Avenue) and the National Energy Centre is the first entrance on the right.
From A4146 (Leighton Buzzard) follow the road to the roundabout with the A5, then join that road in the direction of Hinckley, and follow the instruction for the A5 above.
From A509 (Wellingborough) follow the road to junction 14 of the M1, then follow the instructions above. Please note that A421 generally provides easier access than A422.

THERE IS NO DIRECT ACCESS FROM A5 TO EITHER CHILDS WAY (H6) OR CHAFFRON WAY (H7). Many online maps are misleading, and look as if it is possible to leave A5 close to the National Energy Centre. The nearest access is at the A421 junction as described above, or at the A442 junction just North of Central Milton Keynes.