National Bowl, Concert venue in Milton Keynes, England
The National Bowl is an open-air venue in Milton Keynes, England, with a horseshoe-shaped structure of grass-covered slopes that wrap around a central stage. The natural incline of the terrain creates seating areas that extend from the stage edge to elevated positions in the distance.
During the late 1970s, the site emerged from the filling of an abandoned brick quarry with soil excavated from building projects across the new city. The first large event took place in 1979 and marked the beginning of its use as a live music destination.
Concertgoers often bring blankets and folding chairs to settle on the grass slopes that rise toward the back of the site. Many families arrive early and picnic on the grounds before evening performances begin.
Most visitors reach the site via nearby access roads that lead directly to parking areas, while others travel by public transport from the city center. On event days, food and drink stalls open around the grass slopes, allowing attendees to buy refreshments while waiting for performances to start.
The ground beneath the grass consists largely of recycled building material taken from road and housing sites around the area. This layer raises the edges of the site and shapes the characteristic concave geometry without heavy excavation.
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