Let's hear all about your love for Milton Keynes on official #LoveMK Day today

Following a year of lockdowns, the theme for #LoveMK Day 2021 is ‘looking forward’.

MK Council and MK's official tourism service Destination Milton Keynes are urging people to share the things they are most looking forward to doing in MK using the #LoveMK tag.

A spokesman for Destination MK said: "We’re a city built with modern life in mind. Green space and groundbreaking urban planning. Sustainable travel and access to culture and sport, with nationally-renowned attractions and some of the UK’s best shopping.

"A young city, incorporating historic market towns, with picturesque countryside on the doorstep. 40 minutes from London, 30 minutes from London Luton Airport, and a stop on the West Coast Mainline, connecting Scotland and the North West with the capital.

"Come for the day. Stay for a night. Or make a weekend of it, with a fun-packed itinerary to match. Whether you’re looking for bright lights and bustling streets, or time to rest and reflect, Milton Keynes has just what you need."

The Parks Trust has joined the campaign, saying: "Happy #LoveMK Day! We love Milton Keynes and are proud to care for over 6,000 acres of parks, lakes, woods and landscapes across the city.

"To celebrate MK and its vast green space, we’d love to hear what your favourite park is in the comments"

You can discover new places to explore here.

Bosses at the Xscape have also been enthusiastic in their praise for MK.

"Although a new city, with all things city related like roads and roundabouts, Milton Keynes has loads of parks and green spaces for us to kick back and relax in. MK boasts over 6000 acres of parkland, with lakes, rivers and ponds and stacks of wildlife and over 20% of the city is given to the outdoors. Although in lockdown we’ve probably walked more than ever, the spaces the city offer are varied, and you’ve maybe missed out on a few," they said.

" Xscape is just the cherry on top to make memories in MK! To testing your strength, laughing out loud or scaring yourself silly. Whatever floats your boat, we’ve got activities and more to last you a lifetime."

They added:"MK is diverse, vibrant, expansive, restless and ever changing" and sang the praises on MK Theatre, MK Gallery and nearby Campbell Park as places to visit.

Meanwhile Willen Hospice is calling on local people to help them create a collection of memories and photographs to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

Chief Executive Peta Wilkinson is asking people to share their Willen story on #LoveMK Day.

“We’re lucky to hear so many lovely comments about how we have cared for family members and friends with such compassion over the years," she said.

" As we mark our special milestone, we’d like to hear some of the untold stories about Willen. Did we do something extraordinary for your loved one? Maybe you worked at the Hospice during tough times and found innovative ways to care over adversity? Were you involved in a Hospice ‘first’? If you have any interesting memories, we’d love to hear from you.”

MK Dons tweeted to say 'Oh, Milton Keynes is wonderful', while The Hub posted: 'Let's celebrate the incredible people in Milton Keynes that we have missed over lockdown. #togetheragai. Tag the loved ones you have missed the most.'

Join today's fun by posting on social media using the hashtag LoveMK.