Xscape (building)

Xscape is a brand name for buildings developed by X-Leisure, now part of Landsec in England. Typically they contain a real snow indoor ski slope, leisure facilities and related shops. As of February 2026, there are two sites, Milton Keynes and Castleford. A previous site in Renfrew was sold in 2022.

Xscape Milton Keynes

Xscape Milton Keynes
Xscape Milton Keynes as seen from across Secklow Gate
Xscape Milton Keynes as seen from across Secklow Gate
General information
StatusCompleted
Location602 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3XA, England
Coordinates52°02′29″N 0°44′57″W / 52.04137°N 0.74910°W / 52.04137; -0.74910
Elevation105 metres (344 ft)
Opened2000
ClientX-Leisure
Height
Roof44 metres (144 ft) (max)
Design and construction
Architecture firm
FaulknerBrowns
Website
www.xscapemiltonkeynes.co.uk/en

Xscape Milton Keynes opened in July 2000 and is a major feature on the skyline of Central Milton Keynes as seen from the east. The front of the Xscape building is 44 metres (144 feet) high, making it the second tallest building in the city after Hotel La Tour on Marlborough Gate. Xscape Milton Keynes features a 170 m (560 ft) long real-snow ski slope, a 16-screen cinema, a number of shops and restaurants, a casino and a trampoline park. The two large funnels on the front of the building are sometimes mistaken for lifts or part of the cooling system; in fact they are stairs.

Located directly behind the Xscape building is the iFLY indoor skydiving centre.

Xscape Yorkshire

Xscape Yorkshire
Xscape Yorkshire as seen from the car park
Xscape Yorkshire as seen from the car park
General information
StatusCompleted
LocationColorado Way, Glasshoughton, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 4TA, England
Coordinates53°42′37″N 1°20′31″W / 53.7103°N 1.3419°W / 53.7103; -1.3419
Elevation26 metres (85 ft)
Opened2003
ClientX-Leisure
Height
Roof38 metres (125 ft) (max)
Design and construction
Architecture firm
FaulknerBrowns
Website
www.xscapeyorkshire.co.uk/en

Xscape Yorkshire is in Glasshoughton and opened in October 2003 with a footprint of approx 5,500 square metres (59,200 sq ft).

Xscape Yorkshire was a major development for what was before, an average sized town in West Yorkshire and is situated next to Junction 32, a popular outlet mall formerly known as Freeport.

The development contains a number of shops, restaurants, a church, and entertainment facilities including a bowling alley, multi screen cinema, laser tag, crazy golf and amusements. The Cineworld closed on 19 January 2025, with a Vue International cinema replacing it. It utilises complex ventilation technology. The site is served by Glasshoughton railway station on the Pontefract line (Leeds–Hull), opened by West Yorkshire Metro on 21 February 2005.

Xscape Braehead Renfrew

There was formerly an Xscape in Renfrew. In 2020, the venue was sold by its owners (Intu) when that company failed. The ski slope was closed in 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Whitfield, David (1 February 2004). "Theme: cladding". Architects Journal. 18: 76. ...the second-generation Xscape building, Xscape Castleford, which opened in September 2003, was slightly different. Only part of the ski slope was surrounded by spaces used for other purposes (cinema, fitness suite), with the remainder of the box projecting above the surrounding roofs. As at Milton Keynes...
  2. ↑ "Xscape Building, Milton Keynes - SkyscraperPage.com". Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  3. ↑ Murrer, Sally (13 May 2021). "Tallest and shiniest building in Milton Keynes is topped out at 50 metres this week". Milton Keynes Citizen. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "From Airkix to iFLY". iFly Indoor Skydiving. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Hutchinson, Andrew (12 October 2025). "The story of Freeport, Castleford's designer village". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Find us". Retrieved 12 February 2026. Christchurch is located on the mezzanine floor towards the back of Xscape Yorkshire and can be accessed via the escalator next to Gravity Rocks. There are also stairs and a lift located near Volcano Falls. You'll find us to the left of JD Gyms.
  7. ↑ "Xscape Ski Slope & Retail Development". Caswell Engineering Services. 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Lowson, Rob (11 December 2015). "Transport chiefs optimistic Apperley Bridge station will open on Sunday – despite safety certificate delay". Telegraph & Argus. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  9. ↑ Nazir, Sahar (27 August 2020). "Intu SGS secures £30m to take full control of 4 Intu centres". Retail Gazette. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  10. ↑ Franklin, Beth (3 October 2023). "Scotland's only indoor ski slope to close permanently". STV News. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
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