Recreation, leisure and culture news
Thousands expected as Swindon’s “Big Bark” dog festival takes over Lydiard Park
Dog lovers across Swindon are being urged to grab their tickets quickly as one of the region’s most exciting dog friendly events prepares to bound into Lydiard Park on Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 May.
Published: Wednesday, 22nd April 2026-
Work begins to deliver ‘transformational’ theatre and concert venue in Swindon
A new 2,000‑capacity entertainment venue in Swindon town centre has taken a significant step forward following a £20m funding boost from the Government.
Published: Friday, 20th March 2026 -
Events to mark 40th anniversary of Railway Works closure
A variety of events are taking place across Swindon next month to mark the 40th anniversary of the closure of Swindon’s Railway Works.
Published: Tuesday, 24th February 2026 -
All aboard! New simulator set to arrive at Swindon museum
A new High Speed Train (HST) simulator is on its way to the Swindon Borough Council-owned STEAM Museum in Swindon.
Published: Friday, 20th February 2026 -
New art to brighten up run-down area of Swindon town centre
A town centre street is receiving a vibrant makeover as part of wider plans to revitalise the local area.
Published: Wednesday, 18th February 2026 -
Plenty of fun on offer at Swindon’s museums this half-term
An abundance of activities are available at the STEAM Museum and Museum & Art Swindon this February half-term.
Published: Friday, 13th February 2026 -
Theatre, murder and dogs arrive at Lydiard Park this year
From murder to man’s best friend, Lydiard Park is set to welcome a bumper programme of events that will delight and entertain throughout 2026.
Published: Thursday, 12th February 2026 -
New retail spaces ready to open at historic Carriage Works
As part of the work to bring Swindon’s historic Carriage Works back to life, three commercial units are ready to open.
Published: Thursday, 5th February 2026 -
Skate park planned for top of Whalebridge Car Park
Roller skaters could soon be taking their skills to great heights thanks to an innovative proposal to transform underused space at one of the town’s car parks.
Published: Thursday, 29th January 2026 -
Health Hydro welcomes back swimmers and fitness enthusiasts
Young swimmers made a splash bright and early this morning (19 Jan) as they became the first people to take a dip in the Health Hydro pool following the building’s recent refurbishment.
Published: Monday, 19th January 2026 -
Swindon bus station set for demolition
Swindon’s former bus station will soon be no more when demolition contractors move in from next week (5 Jan).
Published: Monday, 29th December 2025 -
Swindon’s Health Hydro will reopen next month
Swimmers will be jumping back into the pool at Swindon’s historic Health Hydro when it reopens next month.
Published: Monday, 1st December 2025 -
Work to improve historic Turkish Baths underway
Restoration work to protect and enhance the Health Hydro's historic Turkish Baths is now underway, marking another important milestone in the wider refurbishment of this much-loved Victorian facility.
Published: Thursday, 20th November 2025 -
Surrealist art goes on display at Museum & Art Swindon
The surrealist art of Henry Orlik has gone on display for the first time at Museum & Art Swindon.
Published: Friday, 24th October 2025 -
Festive programme unwrapped at Lydiard Park in Swindon
A magical season of Christmas events is coming to Lydiard Park, promising festive fun for all.
Published: Wednesday, 15th October 2025 -
Great Western Brick Show returns to STEAM this weekend
The biggest LEGO show in Swindon returns to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway this weekend for a packed two days of brick-building fun.
Published: Monday, 6th October 2025 -
Uncover Swindon’s Jurassic past at Museum & Art Swindon
Museum & Art Swindon will take visitors back 150 million years thanks to a new exhibition.
Published: Friday, 3rd October 2025 -
STEAM to step back in time to the Golden Age this weekend
Railway enthusiasts and history buffs are encouraged to bring their dancing shoes to Swindon’s STEAM Museum this weekend (13 and 14 Sep) for a festival full of nostalgic fun.
Published: Monday, 8th September 2025 -
Swindon’s arts and culture sector to take centre stage thanks to £600,000 funding boost
An exciting £1.3m two-year programme of arts and cultural activity has been launched in Swindon.
Published: Tuesday, 12th August 2025 -
The Workshed in Swindon hosts visit from Prime Minister and Business Secretary
The Workshed, located in the Council-owned, former Brunel Carriage Works, played host today to a high-profile visit from the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds.
Published: Thursday, 31st July 2025 -
Planning applications submitted for next phase of Health Hydro regeneration
The next phase of the restoration of Swindon’s Health Hydro has reached an important stage after plans were submitted to Swindon Borough Council.
Published: Tuesday, 15th July 2025 -
Museum & Art Swindon celebrates its first birthday
‘Amazing’, ‘cool’, ‘epic’, ‘awesome’ and, perhaps best of all, ‘a treat for the soul’.
Published: Wednesday, 9th July 2025 -
Lydiard Park gears up for packed summer of events
Swindon’s historic Lydiard Park will welcome visitors for a spectacular programme of summer outdoor events.
Published: Wednesday, 18th June 2025 -
Summer of free family fun coming to Wharf Green
Wharf Green in Swindon town centre will be transformed into a pop-up park hosting a number of free family events this summer.
Published: Friday, 13th June 2025 -
Sports hub plans kick on with backing from Wilts FA
Exciting plans for a new community sports hub in Wichelstowe have scored highly with the local community following a recent consultation.
Published: Wednesday, 4th June 2025 -
‘Swindon croc’ returns to Museum & Art Swindon
Swindon’s famous ‘croc’ has now returned to its home at Museum & Art Swindon (MAS) in a new exhibition.
Published: Friday, 23rd May 2025 -
STEAM Museum: Return of the Comic Con
Jedi Padawans, wannabe wizards and galactic heroes will descend upon Swindon’s STEAM Museum as Comic Con returns for the third time next month.
Published: Tuesday, 13th May 2025 -
Partners strengthen ties to help fully restore Health Hydro
A plan to fully restore Swindon’s historic Health Hydro has been given a boost after key stakeholders strengthened their commitment to the cause.
Published: Friday, 9th May 2025 -
Bringing the gharial back to Museum & Art Swindon
Bringing Swindon’s famous gharial back to Museum & Art Swindon (MAS) is no easy task, but a group of young people have been eager to get their claws in.
Published: Thursday, 17th April 2025 -
Walled Garden in full bloom thanks to Friends
A dazzling display of colour will greet visitors to Lydiard Park’s Walled Garden thanks to the generosity of the country park’s Friends’ group.
Published: Thursday, 10th April 2025 -
Council raising the roof on town centre sport and activities
Rooftop activities could be a new feature on Swindon town centre’s skyline, if new plans are approved.
Published: Friday, 4th April 2025 -
First phase of £8.6m Health Hydro restoration work expected to be complete by end of the year
Significant progress is being made to bring Swindon's historic Health Hydro back to its former glory, two years on from its closure.
Published: Tuesday, 1st April 2025 -
Revolution and Romans at Museum & Art Swindon
Three new exhibitions are opening at Museum & Art Swindon (MAS) in the run-up to its one-year anniversary.
Published: Friday, 28th March 2025 -
Easter family fun at Lydiard Park
Families are invited to step into Spring at Lydiard Park this Easter with a programme filled with adventure, creativity and delicious food.
Published: Wednesday, 12th March 2025 -
Community invited to join Armed Forces Day celebrations
Armed Forces Day will be celebrated at Lydiard Park this summer to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Published: Thursday, 6th March 2025 -
Cracking show Gromit! Wrong Trousers to play at STEAM Museum
Everyone’s favourite cheese-loving duo will be arriving at Swindon's STEAM Museum later this year in a live performance of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers.
Published: Wednesday, 5th March 2025 -
Lydiard celebrates 15 years of parkrun this weekend
For the past 15 years, runners and walkers of all abilities have been flocking to Lydiard Park to take part in the location’s parkrun.
Published: Thursday, 27th February 2025 -
Love is in the air at Lydiard this February
Lydiard Park’s recently-refurbished hotel, nestled within the historic country estate, is preparing to embrace the season of love with two romantic events.
Published: Thursday, 6th February 2025 -
Discover working at the railway in new STEAM exhibition
A brand new exhibition opens this week at Swindon’s STEAM Museum showing what life was like as a railway apprentice at the historic railway works.
Published: Tuesday, 4th February 2025 -
Museum & Art Swindon makes Steg-gering acquisition
A piece of Swindon’s prehistoric past has found a new home at Museum & Art Swindon.
Published: Thursday, 23rd January 2025 -
STEAM Museum set to host new Swindon Wellbeing Festival
Swindon’s STEAM Museum is gearing up for the town’s first-ever wellbeing festival, which is taking place next month.
Published: Friday, 3rd January 2025 -
Popular garden will Spring to life thanks to Friends’ group
Lydiard Park’s Walled Garden will be transformed into a sea of colour after thousands of bulbs were planted following a generous donation.
Published: Monday, 16th December 2024 -
Public asked to share their views on ‘Heart of Swindon’ vision
Local residents are being asked to contribute to a vision, which aims to transform Swindon town centre in the years to come.
Published: Thursday, 28th November 2024 -
Exhibition celebrating Wessex folk culture coming to Swindon
A first-of-its kind exhibition showcasing folk art and the seasonal customs of the Wessex region is set to open in Swindon next weekend.
Published: Friday, 22nd November 2024 -
Christmas comes to Swindon this month
Christmas festivities in Swindon are set to get underway later this month with a variety of events across the town.
Published: Friday, 8th November 2024 -
Plans for a new state-of-the-art entertainment venue set to take a step forward
Plans to build a new state-of-the-art entertainment venue in Swindon town centre are set to move a step forward when the Council’s Cabinet meets next week (13 November).
Published: Wednesday, 6th November 2024 -
Partners get behind new vision to reinvent Swindon town centre
A draft set of shared ambitions to spearhead the reinvention of Swindon town centre are being tabled at the Council’s Cabinet meeting next week (13 November).
Published: Wednesday, 6th November 2024 -
Museum & Art Swindon opens its doors to schools
Children from schools across the Borough are being given a chance to set foot inside the new Museum & Art Swindon (MAS) venue and explore Swindon’s history and art collection.
Published: Friday, 25th October 2024 -
Change at Museum & Art Swindon as new exhibitions set to open
The first set of exhibition changeovers will take place at Museum & Art Swindon, featuring favourites from Swindon’s outstanding modern and contemporary British art collection.
Published: Monday, 14th October 2024 -
Exciting new additions ahead of this year’s Great Western Brick Show
The highly anticipated Great Western Brick Show returns to STEAM on Saturday, 5 and Sunday, 6 October 2024, celebrating 21 years of extraordinary LEGO creations.
Published: Monday, 9th September 2024 -
Council gets behind youth festival showcasing Swindon’s creative talent
People are being encouraged to support a two-week Swindon-wide cultural extravaganza, which has been organised by six young local artists for other young people aged between 11 and 25
Published: Thursday, 18th July 2024 -
Cabinet advised not to dispose of former nine-hole golf course in Highworth for £1
Councillors will be asked not to approve a council motion calling for a former pitch and putt golf course in Highworth to be designated as the Borough’s sixth country park.
Published: Friday, 12th July 2024 -
Multi-million pound sporting hub opens in Moredon
A landmark multi-million pound sporting hub, which features some of the best cycling facilities in the country has been officially opened today (9 July).
Published: Tuesday, 9th July 2024 -
Museum & Art Swindon ready to open to the public
A new facility to showcase one of the country’s best collections of modern and contemporary 20th Century British art will open to the public on Tuesday (9 July).
Published: Friday, 5th July 2024 -
Summer Reading Challenge returns next week
A celebration of creativity will be at the centre of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which gets underway next weekend (6 July).
Published: Friday, 28th June 2024 -
Comic Con returns to Swindon’s STEAM Museum this month
Stars of the big and small screen will once again descend on Swindon, as the Film and Comic Con extravaganza returns to the STEAM Museum this month.
Published: Friday, 7th June 2024 -
Golf at Coate Water to reopen this summer
The Coate Water pitch and putt and crazy golf course will reopen this July!
Published: Friday, 24th May 2024 -
Major milestone in Oasis revamp as development agreement signed
An agreement to refurbish the Oasis Leisure Centre has been signed, paving the way for plans to be submitted later this year.
Published: Friday, 17th May 2024 -
Post-war music scene items wanted for Museum & Art Swindon
The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who are just some of the huge bands who have played in Swindon over the years.
Published: Tuesday, 14th May 2024
