Recreation, leisure and culture news
Statement regarding XTC Convention
Update following the announcement that the XTC Convention would no longer be held at the STEAM Museum, in light of guidance for the national period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Published: Friday, 16th September 2022-
Famous hooter will sound as Swindon Railway Festival makes its return
The famous Swindon Works Hooter will once again sound out across the town as STEAM’s Railway Festival returns to the museum next weekend.
Published: Friday, 2nd September 2022 -
Swindon’s Great Western Brick Show celebrates 20 years at STEAM
One of Swindon’s most popular events will celebrate its 20th anniversary at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway with a special tribute to the town’s railway heritage.
Published: Tuesday, 16th August 2022 -
Children can enjoy Swindon’s STEAM Museum for just £1 this summer
STEAM’s fantastic ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer is back in time for the summer holidays.
Published: Tuesday, 19th July 2022 -
STEAM Museum prepares to launch its final exhibition of the year
STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway will open its final exhibition of the year on Saturday (16 July).
Published: Wednesday, 13th July 2022 -
Five new works added to Museum and Art Gallery collection
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has recently been gifted five exceptional works by Harold Dearden (1888 – 1962).
Published: Thursday, 7th July 2022 -
Former museum and art gallery building to be offered for sale
A prominent Grade II listed building in Old Town will be offered for sale and local groups will have the chance to stake a claim for it.
Published: Monday, 27th June 2022 -
Council to submit Levelling Up bid to help get the Oasis back open
Swindon Borough Council will submit an £8m bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help bring forward plans to reopen the Oasis Leisure Centre.
Published: Monday, 20th June 2022 -
Special guests confirmed for STEAM’s new Film and Comic Con
A brilliant line-up of special guests have now been confirmed for Swindon’s Stars of Time Comic Con, which will take place at STEAM later this month.
Published: Wednesday, 1st June 2022 -
Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at two special events this week
Lydiard Park will host a weekend of Jubilee celebrations this week to celebrate 70 years on the throne for Her Majesty The Queen.
Published: Monday, 30th May 2022 -
New hotel and conference facilities the latest jewel in Lydiard’s crown
Lydiard Park’s Hotel and Conference Centre has undergone a major refurbishment as part of ongoing plans to make the Swindon Borough Council-owned country park more sustainable.
Published: Wednesday, 25th May 2022 -
Swindon Railway Festival to return in memory of much- missed event organiser
The Swindon Railway Festival will be returning to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway on Saturday, 10 and Sunday, 11 September 2022.
Published: Tuesday, 24th May 2022 -
Easter fun at STEAM and Lydiard House Museum
STEM activities, potion making, new special exhibitions, ceramic workshops and free art sessions are just some of the activities on offer for families at Swindon Borough Council-owned venues over the Easter holidays.
Published: Tuesday, 29th March 2022 -
Business case submitted for multi-million pound investment in Health Hydro
Plans to revitalise one of Swindon’s much-loved and important heritage assets have taken a significant step forward.
Published: Thursday, 24th March 2022 -
Plans approved for Moredon Sports Hub
Exciting plans have been revealed for the new sports hub in Moredon which is set to get underway later this year.
Published: Tuesday, 22nd March 2022 -
Children time-travel through 1,300 years of history with Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Children at Chiseldon Primary School had a unique opportunity to travel back to Anglo-Saxon times this week, with a chance to see original 7th century artefacts in their classrooms!
Published: Friday, 18th March 2022 -
New Comic Con to materialise at Swindon’s STEAM Museum this summer
Stars of the big and small screen will descend on Swindon, as a brand-new Film and Comic Con extravaganza comes to the STEAM Museum in June.
Published: Friday, 25th February 2022 -
Renovation of historic Health Hydro moves a step closer
Specialist place and development advisors, Fourth Street, have been appointed to help with the renovation of Swindon's Grade II* Health Hydro.
Published: Friday, 28th January 2022 -
Boom Battle Bar and Funkygrilla open at Regent Circus
Swindon has recently seen two new venues open in the town centre.
Published: Monday, 18th October 2021 -
Council appoints HemingwayDesign to create a place brand for Swindon’s Heritage Action Zone
Work is underway to put Swindon’s historic railway heritage on the map.
Published: Tuesday, 21st September 2021 -
First phase of Fleming Way rejuvenation to get underway with car park demolition
A town centre car park will be demolished later this month to help pave the way for a major £33m scheme to improve Swindon town centre.
Published: Friday, 10th September 2021 -
Swindon’s rich history celebrated with Heritage Open Days this weekend
Over the weekend (11 and 12 September) residents are invited into some of Swindon’s most interesting historic buildings free of charge.
Published: Monday, 6th September 2021 -
Online consultation launched for new Coate Water play area
Plans for a new children’s play area at Coate Water Park are making progress, and Swindon Borough Council is keen to hear residents’ thoughts.
Published: Tuesday, 17th August 2021 -
Swindon fans encouraged to do their bit to tackle COVID-19 ahead of County Ground return
Thousands of fans will return to the County Ground tomorrow (14 Aug) to welcome their new-look Swindon Town side in their first League Two home fixture following relegation last season.
Published: Friday, 13th August 2021 -
Lydiard House Museum to reopen on 5 August
The Swindon Borough Council-owned and operated Lydiard House Museum will reopen its doors to the public this Thursday (5 August).
Published: Thursday, 5th August 2021 -
STEAM launch two special exhibitions celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the GWR Hospital
This year, STEAM is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Great Western Railway Hospital on Faringdon Road with two new special exhibitions.
Published: Tuesday, 27th July 2021 -
Faringdon Road planters given new lease of life thanks to volunteers
An enthusiastic team of volunteers have spruced up Swindon’s Heritage Acton Zone.
Published: Friday, 23rd July 2021 -
Art on Tour offers another dose of art for staff and volunteers at COVID vaccination centre
An art exhibition, which aims to give staff and volunteers a boost at STEAM’s COVID vaccination centre, has been expanded after receiving rave reviews.
Published: Friday, 30th April 2021 -
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery launches virtual exhibition, ‘Optimism: Spring to summer
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has announced the launch of a virtual exhibition, selected by the committee of the Friends of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, to celebrate Spring and the prospect of bet
Published: Monday, 22nd March 2021 -
Historic Lydiard House given significant facelift by Council
A treasured Swindon landmark has been given a new lease of life following extensive renovation work.
Published: Saturday, 20th March 2021 -
Council launches vision to deliver one of the UK’s most ambitious cultural projects
A bold vision to deliver a Cultural Quarter in Swindon will be shared with major investors and funding bodies through a new prospectus which sets out a clear roadmap for its delivery.
Published: Thursday, 18th March 2021 -
Plan to rejuvenate the Oasis in balance after listing application
This is what a rejuvenated Oasis Leisure Centre could look like if plans to give it a multi-million pound upgrade come to fruition.
Published: Tuesday, 16th March 2021 -
Public invited to help develop plan to improve Swindon’s country parks
Members of the public are being encouraged to help shape an exciting plan to enhance Swindon’s country parks over the next four years.
Published: Tuesday, 16th February 2021 -
First tickets go live for the Festival of Tomorrow
Ticket booking went live this week for Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow.
Published: Thursday, 28th January 2021 -
Rapper launches online challenge for Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow
Science Rapper Jon Chase launched a challenge to young people across social media this week, in the lead up to next month’s Festival of Tomorrow.
Published: Monday, 18th January 2021 -
Swindon’s STEAM Museum now open for festive visits
Families and train buffs looking for a great day out over the festive period are being encouraged to take a trip back in time at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Published: Friday, 18th December 2020 -
Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow is back for 2021
A hugely successful science and technology festival, which was held for the first time in Swindon last February, will make a return in 2021.
Published: Wednesday, 16th December 2020 -
Full steam ahead for council services as latest lockdown comes to an end
Two Swindon Borough Council-run care homes have created special COVID-safe areas so family members can safely meet their loved ones.
Published: Tuesday, 1st December 2020 -
Ambitious plan to improve Swindon’s country parks to go before Cabinet
A new waterside restaurant and café at Coate Water could form an important part of a four-year strategy to improve Swindon’s much-loved country parks.
Published: Monday, 30th November 2020 -
Prints of artwork from the Swindon Collection now available to buy
It is widely regarded as one of the best collections of Modern British Art outside London, and now people have the chance to look at their very own version of the artwork on their wall at home.
Published: Thursday, 26th November 2020 -
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery launches a new virtual exhibition
Lockdown may have forced Swindon Museum and Art Gallery to close its doors, but people from across the country will still be able to view the town’s renowned Modern British Art collection thanks to a new exciting online exhibition.
Published: Monday, 23rd November 2020 -
Swindon’s STEAM Museum wins TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award
Hot on the heels of being praised for its virtual tour during lockdown, STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, has today announced it has been recognised as a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award-winner.
Published: Thursday, 8th October 2020 -
Gallery will use Swindon’s parks as a new art exhibition space
Four of Swindon’s beautiful parks have been chosen to host an autumn trail with a difference.
Published: Thursday, 1st October 2020 -
Families enjoy summer fun with Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
A team of superhero families recruited from every corner of Swindon have spent the summer completing creative challenges to help save the world with art.
Published: Thursday, 3rd September 2020 -
Council brings Coate Water back to life with £400,000 investment
Swindon Borough Council has received more than £400,000 in developer contributions to make improvements at Coate Water Country Park.
Published: Thursday, 6th August 2020 -
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery launches ‘Big Hitters’ virtual exhibition with ArtUK
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has today (3 July) launched a virtual exhibition through ArtUK, the online home of the nation’s public art collections.
Published: Friday, 3rd July 2020 -
First Young Artist-in-Residence announced at Museum and Art Gallery
Seventeen-year-old New College student James Keel is the inaugural Young Artist-in-Residence at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.
Published: Wednesday, 24th June 2020 -
Prime’s Digital Youth Theatre to ‘take over’ Swindon’s STEAM Museum
Swindon’s STEAM Museum will hand over its social media channels to young people later this month as part of an initiative to engage a younger audience.
Published: Friday, 19th June 2020 -
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery launches project to store lockdown memories
The team at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery have launched a new project aimed at capturing people’s memories during the coronavirus pandemic.
Published: Thursday, 11th June 2020 -
Wiltshire’s beauty spots aren’t going anywhere
That’s the message from the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum (LRF), as people are urged to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Published: Thursday, 9th April 2020 -
Opinions sought on future of heritage conservation areas
We need your help...
Published: Wednesday, 19th February 2020 -
Swindon choreographer brings internationally acclaimed dance work back home
Swindon Dance star Adrienne Hart is now bringing her highly acclaimed ‘Puzzle Creature’ dance performance to Swindon’s iconic STEAM Museum at the end of the month
Published: Monday, 17th February 2020 -
Swindon Museum acquires new painting through Arts Council scheme
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has successfully acquired its first work through the Arts Council England’s Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
Published: Tuesday, 26th November 2019 -
Festive afternoon tea and guided tours on offer at Lydiard House
Christmas will be coming early to Lydiard House thanks to a special festive treat on offer to visitors.
Published: Tuesday, 12th November 2019 -
Council’s Volunteer Rangers win awards for work in Swindon’s country parks
A collection of willow trees at Coate Water have been deemed ‘outstanding’ by judges from South West in Bloom.
Published: Thursday, 31st October 2019 -
Lydiard House prepares for festive frivolity ahead of Fawlty Towers dinner
There will be laughs aplenty at Lydiard House when an interactive Fawlty Towers-themed dinner show comes to the popular country park next month.
Published: Wednesday, 30th October 2019 -
Beat the Street Swindon enters final few weeks
Swindon’s six-week long Beat the Street challenge has reached a grand total of 187,000 miles as the game enters its ‘Go Active’ week.
Published: Thursday, 24th October 2019 -
Art tour’s success sees Civic welcome new exhibition
The Council’s Civic building has become a new home for a selection of items in Swindon’s prized art collection.
Published: Monday, 21st October 2019 -
STEAM Museum is first stop for Council’s new art tour
A new pop-up art exhibition has officially opened at the STEAM Museum today (19 Sept).
Published: Friday, 20th September 2019 -
Swindon’s iconic STEAM Museum prepares for 007 Christmas celebrations
It’s just 105 days until Christmas and staff at Swindon’s STEAM Museum are already jingling their bells.
Published: Tuesday, 10th September 2019 -
Take a trip down the rabbit hole as open-air theatre returns to Lydiard Park
Families can once again experience open-air theatre in the beautiful surroundings of Lydiard Park this Friday (2 August).
Published: Tuesday, 30th July 2019 -
Great Western Railway’s invention and innovation revealed in new exhibition
A brand new exhibition exploring the inventions and ideas that shaped the Great Western Railway will launch at STEAM on Friday (26 July).
Published: Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 -
All Aboard for Summer Holiday £1 Offer at STEAM
The school holidays are almost here and that can mean only one thing – that children can visit the STEAM Museum for just £1.
Published: Tuesday, 16th July 2019 -
Open-air theatre makes its return to Lydiard Park
Lydiard Park will kick-start a national tour of Shakespeare’s most magical and romantic comedy of them all, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Published: Wednesday, 19th June 2019 -
Dads go free this weekend at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway
Dads and grandads can celebrate Father’s Day in style with free entry to STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway this weekend (Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June).
Published: Thursday, 13th June 2019 -
Lydiard Park's Walled Garden opening for the National Garden Scheme this Sunday
Lydiard Park’s ornamental fruit and flower Walled Garden is open for charity this Sunday (June 9) from 11am to 4pm, as part of The National Garden Scheme.
Published: Friday, 7th June 2019 -
Speed into STEAM this Easter holiday
Children will be able to take part in some special activities to coincide with a new exhibition that is opening at STEAM over the Easter holidays.
Published: Friday, 5th April 2019 -
New exhibition at STEAM looks at the GWR’s race to become the world’s fastest
A brand new exhibition charting the Great Western Railway’s (GWR) drive to be the fastest railway in the world will launch at STEAM on Saturday (6 April).
Published: Thursday, 4th April 2019 -
Have an eggstremely cracking Easter at Lydiard Park
The Easter holidays are just around the corner and a whole host of activities for all the family will be taking place at Lydiard Park.
Published: Thursday, 28th March 2019 -
Lydiard Park celebrates 75 years of public ownership
Lydiard Park is building up to a special anniversary year with the launch of two new exhibitions.
Published: Monday, 18th March 2019 -
Council unveils bold proposals to protect town’s treasured artefacts
Swindon Borough Council can for the first time reveal exciting new plans to enable the town’s cultural sphere to grow and flourish.
Published: Wednesday, 13th March 2019 -
Council agrees deal in principle to sell freehold of County Ground to football club and supporters’ group
Swindon Borough Council has agreed a deal in principle to sell the freehold of the town’s football stadium.
Published: Tuesday, 5th March 2019 -
Cyclists are wheely pleased with slick Flyer routes
Significant upgrades to Swindon’s cycling and pedestrian routes have been completed, and local cyclists are delighted.
Published: Tuesday, 5th March 2019 -
Work to start on new Council-backed sports facilities at County Ground
Swindon Town legend John Trollope and the High Sherriff of Wiltshire Nicky Alberry broke ground on where state-of-the-art sports facilities will be built at the County Ground.
Published: Thursday, 31st January 2019 -
Time on Trial: new exhibition at STEAM explores the story of locomotive speed trials
A new railway exhibition is open at STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon which lifts the lid on the rivalry that drove the big four railway companies in the early 1900s to be the fastest.
Published: Wednesday, 30th January 2019 -
Step into Christmas at STEAM
Christmas will come early at Swindon’s STEAM museum with market stalls, musical entertainment and Santa bringing festive cheer to visitors next weekend.
Published: Thursday, 22nd November 2018 -
Park and Ride service to serve Outlet Centre and STEAM in run-up to Christmas
Shoppers visiting the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Centre Swindon in the run-up to Christmas will be able to take advantage of a new park and ride service, which has been introduced to help ease congestion in the local area.
Published: Thursday, 22nd November 2018 -
Lydiard House steps back in time for Christmas display
Visitors to Lydiard House will be able to step back in time and experience what the decorated halls would have been like in Georgian times over the festive season.
Published: Wednesday, 21st November 2018 -
Full Steam Ahead to Half-term
A whole heap of fun and educational activities are on offer at the STEAM Museum this October half-term.
Published: Wednesday, 24th October 2018 -
Council’s First World War Tommy statue goes on a tour of Swindon
People of all ages and from all parts of Swindon have the chance to pay their respects to the fallen now that a life-size soldier has begun a tour of the Borough.
Published: Thursday, 18th October 2018 -
Final week of Beat the Street could see Swindon set a new record
Swindonians have run to the moon, it has been confirmed.
Published: Thursday, 18th October 2018 -
LEGO® Adventures Coming to STEAM Museum
Swindon’s STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway will soon be opening its doors to a weekend full of LEGO® action and adventure at the Great Western Brick Show.
Published: Friday, 28th September 2018 -
Access work for new County Ground sports facility underway
A new state-of-the-art £2.2m Community ‘Club Hub’ facility on the County Ground recreational ground has moved a step closer with the start of access road improvements leading on to the site.
Published: Friday, 14th September 2018 -
Museum and Art Gallery exhibition to mark special centenary
A hundred years after the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War, Swindon Museum and Art Gallery is hosting a new exhibition exploring the impact of the conflict on the landscape and people of Wiltshire.
Published: Tuesday, 11th September 2018 -
Swindon to host a giant walking and cycling game this autumn
Thousands of residents will compete against each other to see if their school, community or business can walk, run or cycle the furthest as part of a Borough-wide game that will launch this autumn.
Published: Tuesday, 21st August 2018 -
It’s coming home! Edwardian locomotive to return to Swindon
A 113-year-old engine is to return home to the STEAM Museum this summer.
Published: Friday, 10th August 2018 -
New exhibition at STEAM explores the historic branding of the GWR
A brand new exhibition focusing on the history of the Great Western Railway has opened at STEAM for the summer holidays.
Published: Wednesday, 1st August 2018 -
Prestigious Green Flag Award places Lydiard Park among the very best open spaces
Lydiard park is among a record-breaking 1,883 parks and green spaces across the UK that have received a prestigious Green Flag Award.
Published: Tuesday, 24th July 2018 -
Open-air theatre returns to Lydiard Park
Lydiard Park will kick-start a national tour of one of Oscar Wilde’s wittiest comedies.
Published: Tuesday, 17th July 2018
