Milton Keynes and North Bucks

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Captain Ridley's Shooting Party

183 Queensway
Milton Keynes
MK2 2ED
Emailku.oc.noopsrehtewdj@6247p Telephone(01908) 621020
Real AleReal FireFamily FriendlyGardenLunchtime MealsEvening MealsDisabled AccessParkingSmokingWiFiCAMRA Voucher SchemeBeer Festivals
Opening times: Mon–Thu 08:00-24:00; Fri and Sat 08:00-01:00 next day; Sun 08:00-24:00
Regular beers: Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best Bitter, Sharp's Doom Bar

See more about this pub on WhatPub, CAMRA's national pub guide.

The pub name comes from 1938 when MI5 were checking nearby Bletchley Park as a suitable site for the wartime code breakers, but allayed any suspicion by saying that they were a weekend shooting party. This Wetherspoon's pub walls and display cabinets feature much of the Bletchley Park Codebreakers history and the "Huts" are commemorated in the large rear garden with three snow huts and other seating. The 12 hand pumps offer three regular ales and up to six guests (but more usually three). The ground floor comprises one large room with seating as you enter and to your left with a large tabled area beyond the bar. This area is mainly for eating and is completed by an open kitchen gantry. The front of the pub offers (limited) customer parking, free of charge, including two electric car charging bays and has tables and seating on the patio area. Until recently, but currently suspended, customers had to provide photo ID from 9pm, which was scanned with data stored there, but never shared and deleted after 30 days unless an alert was recorded for that individual. The scanner secured for use used by registered management, locked when not in use and chained and locked to the wall, in full view of security cameras.