All events

All events

Showing 1 to 3 of 3 events.

• Effluence & Epidemics (Heritage Open Days Talk)

  • Date: 16th September 2025
  • Location: Central Library
  • Time: 18:30 - 20:00
  • Cost: Free

  This talk will investigate the stomach-churning pitfalls of a rapidly expanding Swindon, when the streets were paved with health hazards and the canal wasn’t the only thing flowing through the town!

  

  Join us to learn about the Inspector of Nuisances, plagues of vermin, the perils of drinking milk and much more. This free talk will be followed by an optional tour of the Local Studies collection.

• '200 Years of Britain’s Railways in 14 Journeys' by Sherin Aminossehe

  • Date: 18th September 2025
  • Location: Swindon's Railway Village, Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BG
  • Time: 17:00 - 18:30
  • Cost: Free

  The world’s first public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened in the northeast of England in 1825 and marked the start of rail travel in Britain and across the world.

  Over the following two centuries, the rail network expanded across the country and led to the construction of some of the most spectacular examples of British architecture and engineering.

  Through a selection of 14 varied journeys, 200 Years of Britain’s Railways in 14 Journeys by Sherin Aminossehe takes readers on a breathtaking illustrated tour of Britain’s rail network. It explores stations, bridges, viaducts, and other architectural elements, as well as the people and personalities associated with them.

  Sherin Aminossehe has been drawing since childhood and is now a trained architect working for the Ministry of Defence. She will be giving an illustrated talk about the beautiful and engaging story of Britain’s railway history and architecture.

  This free event takes place at 5.00pm on Thursday, 18 September 2025. No booking is required.

  Copies of Sherin Aminossehe’s book 200 Years of Britain’s Railways in 14 Journeys will be available to purchase during the event.

  Find out more on the Swindon Heritage Preservation website.

• Step back in time: Meet Mrs Smith in her Victorian cottage!

  • Date: 20th September 2025 - 21st September 2025
  • Every day
  • Location: The Railway Village Museum, 34 Faringdon Rd, Swindon, SN1 5BJ
  • Time: 12:30 - 15:00
  • Cost: FREE

  Bring the whole family to the Railway Village Museum for an interactive tour with Mrs Smith, a busy housewife from 1901!

  

  Actress and history aficionado Louise Jordan brings history to life as she invites everyone into her cosy Victorian cottage. Families will love this hands-on free experience as it brings Swindon history to life in a way that everyone can enjoy.

  Kids and adults alike get to step inside a real Victorian cottage, meet Mrs Smith, and see what life was like over 100 years ago. With chances to join in, like helping with the washing, it’s a great way to learn about Swindon’s past.

  Performances are on both Saturday, 20 September and Sunday, 21 September 2025 at 12:30 pm, 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm.

  Find out more on the Swindon Heritage Preservation website.