The National Bowl has hosted The Rolling Stones, Eminem, U2 and tens of thousands more. The story of MK’s legendary outdoor music venue.
Tucked into the western side of Milton Keynes is a natural bowl-shaped amphitheatre that has hosted some of the biggest names in music history. The National Bowl has a capacity of up to 65,000 people and has welcomed artists from The Rolling Stones to Eminem, from U2 to Bon Jovi.
A Natural Amphitheatre
The National Bowl is a unique venue — a naturally bowl-shaped hollow in the landscape that creates extraordinary acoustics and sightlines. Unlike purpose-built arenas, the bowl feels organic and connected to the landscape around it. On a summer evening with 50,000 people inside, it is genuinely magical.
Famous Moments
Some of the most celebrated concerts in UK music history have taken place at the National Bowl. Michael Jackson played there in 1988, U2 in 1993, and it has been the home of Reggae Land, one of the UK’s biggest reggae festivals, in recent years.
What’s On Now
The National Bowl continues to host major events throughout the summer season. Check our events guide for upcoming shows and festivals.
Getting There
The National Bowl is located off Watling Street in the west of MK, with good road access and event-day bus services from Milton Keynes Central station.
This is part of our Discover MK series.