34 Newport Rd, Woolstone, Milton Keynes MK15 0AA

About This Pub

Ah, The Cross Keys – it's one of those pubs that really captures the essence of a traditional British spot, tucked away in the heart of Milton Keynes since 1560. I have to say, the atmosphere is spot on; imagine sinking into a chair by the open fire on a chilly evening, or heading out to the garden for a sunny afternoon – it's just so inviting and perfect for catching up with friends over a drink. The food is where it truly shines, with their Sunday roasts and fresh dishes made from local produce that add a lovely contemporary twist to classics like fish and chips or burgers. It's clear from the buzz around the place that folks love the quality and variety, and with a cracking selection of beers and wines, you're spoilt for choice. On the downside, though, service isn't always as polished as you'd hope – a couple of experiences mentioned it feeling a tad unwelcoming or slow to start, and there were gripes about food not being served hot enough, which can put a bit of a dampener on things. Overall, it's a gem worth visiting for the great grub and historic vibes, but maybe keep expectations in check for the service side, and you'll likely have a cracking time.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The historic charm and cosy atmosphere, with open fires and a welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home.
  • Fantastic food offerings, like their famous Sunday lunches and fresh, locally sourced dishes that are full of flavour and creativity.
  • Lovely outdoor spaces and being dog-friendly, perfect for enjoying a pint in the garden after a walk in the area.
  • A great selection of well-kept beers, cask ales, and drinks, with perks like discounts for CAMRA members – cheers to that!
Cons
  • Service can sometimes feel a bit off, with a few mentions of not getting a warm welcome or having to sort things out yourself.
  • Occasional slip-ups with food, like it arriving warm rather than piping hot, which might leave you wanting a bit more.

Contact Information

34 Newport Rd, Woolstone, Milton Keynes MK15 0AA
+441908528145
Pub
Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday11:00 - 23:00
Tuesday (Today)11:00 - 23:00
Wednesday11:00 - 23:00
Thursday11:00 - 23:00
Friday11:00 - 23:30
Saturday11:00 - 23:30
Sunday11:00 - 19:30

Location

Recent Reviews

Lovely pub, great staff, nice garden, dog friendly. Lovely walks and cycling on the doorstep. Very well kept beer and discount for CAMRA members.
LW
Louise Wheeler
Didn't get a welcoming service here. As the booking system is full, in the call, they suggest we could try to walk in. We walk in about 12 noon, the service is not welcoming but anyway we got to sit in the garden. No one serves us, so we get the menu from the restaurant. They only give us one but we are 6 people and they said there is a menu on the table. Later, we went to the bar side to get an extra menu. Sunday roast gluten free suppose to be alternative as mentioned on the menu. But they just come without Yorkshire pudding and didn't see any extra veg or else. Mussels taste good, but for 12 pounds starter sizes, they are slightly high prices. The Kids menu with the steak well done is too chewey. Service in the restaurant was also quite grumpy when we ordered food. They said booking is full, but we can still see 5-6 table empty in the restaurant near the garden side between the time we are having our food and leave.
EN
Elena Ng
We visited The Cross Keys in Woolstone for a Friday date night, and it was such a great experience! I had the sea bass fillets, and they were spot on—beautifully seasoned with crispy skin, served on gnocchi in a tomato sauce with a spicy kick and chorizo. The tomato sauce is worth mentioning again—absolutely delicious! My husband had the ribeye steak, which came with chips and a rocket salad. He added chimichurri sauce for £2.50, and it was totally worth it. If you’re a seafood fan, don’t miss the fish platter—it’s a must-try! The whitebait tempura was light and crispy, and the mussels in tomato sauce were heaven-sent. The portions are generous, and the service was amazing—our server really looked after us. There’s ample parking too, which is always a bonus. The stout husband wanted (Guinness) wasn’t available, but they offered another brand, which was just as good.
PT
Pwint Thi “Rachel” Han
A cozy pub/restaurant. The food was very nice and well presented. 4 stars because my food was warm rather than nice and hot when delivered, but I think that possibly was because, although we ordered different dishes, we all got our order at the same time, which was nice actually!
K
Kayy
Went here for Christmas lunch with my team, and it was fantastic! The service was excellent—we were seated and served right away without any waiting. I tried turkey for the first time, and it was absolutely amazing. Everything was well-organized, and the staff made sure we had a great experience. Highly recommend this place for a special occasion!
NS
Nouman S Chaudhry

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