Summer support and activities available for families across Swindon
Families across Swindon can enjoy a summer packed with free and low-cost activities, events and attractions alongside a wide range of financial, food and family support throughout the holidays.
Published: Thursday, 16th July 2026
From splash parks, festivals and outdoor adventures to holiday clubs, food support and money-saving advice there are plenty of opportunities for residents to enjoy the summer without stretching their household budgets.
To help families make the most of what’s on offer, children aged five to 15 can also travel free on local bus services throughout August, making it easier to access activities and attractions across the Borough.
Highlights include the Summer Reading Challenge in Swindon’s libraries, free family fun at Coate Water Splash Park, and a packed programme of events at Lydiard Park, including outdoor cinema screenings, theatre performances, the Garden Party and Mad4Animals. Lydiard House Museum and STEAM are also offering ‘Kids for a Quid’ promotions so children can explore for just £1.
Young people can also take part in Signal Festival, running from 24 July to 1 August, which showcases the creativity and talent of Swindon’s young people through a series of events and activities.
Families can also enjoy Swindon’s many parks, woodlands and green spaces, from exploring nature trails and spotting wildlife to creating scavenger hunts and enjoying picnics in the Borough’s country parks.
The Council is reminding residents that support is available should they need it during the summer holidays, with advice, food provision and financial assistance on offer through a range of local services and organisations.
A network of Welcome Spaces and Community Hubs are available offering somewhere to meet others, access advice and connect with local services. This includes the new Community Hub at Park Library (SN3 2LZ), and Central Library (SN1 1QG), which provide information, advice and support.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme continues to provide eligible children receiving benefits-related school meals with access to funded holiday club sessions, including activities and food throughout the holiday period.
Food support is available through several local schemes and food clubs, including the Haven Pantry, Parks Pantry and Penhill Pantry, which provide affordable access to fresh and nutritious food. The Gorse Hill Baptist Church Community Fridge also offers free surplus food to residents, with no referral needed.
Anyone worried about accessing food during the summer holidays can contact Citizens Advice on 0808 278 7813 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) for support and guidance, including referrals to additional services where appropriate. People can access financial wellbeing advice, support with childcare costs, and information about the Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Councillor Matt Hinton, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services, said: “Summer should be a time for children and families to enjoy spending time together, and there is an incredible range of activities taking place across Swindon over the coming weeks.
“We’re fortunate to have excellent parks, libraries, museums and community spaces offering free and affordable ways for families to have fun, learn something new and explore their local area.
“We also recognise that the school holidays can create additional financial pressures for some households. That’s why we’re working with local partners to ensure support is available, whether that’s help with food, childcare costs, financial advice or holiday activities.
“I’d encourage everyone to visit our Summer in Swindon webpage to discover what’s happening and find out about the support available.”
Information about childcare support, financial wellbeing advice, affordable food clubs and local event listings are available on the Council’s new Summer in Swindon webpage at www.swindon.gov.uk/summerinswindon.