Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Swindon, Wiltshire

Situated in the northern region of Wiltshire, nestled between the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs, Swindon is a sizable and expanding town surrounded by rolling hills. Originally a small, conventional market town, it underwent significant transformation in the mid-19th century with the establishment of the Great Western Railway, which became a crucial transportation center. Notably, the esteemed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel constructed the extensive Swindon Works to service the railway line and its rolling stock. Although this facility ceased operations in the 1980s, it has since been gradually transformed into a premier museum dedicated to the history of the Great Western Railway, alongside a McArthurGlen designer outlet.

Wiltshire is rich in Bronze and Iron Age history, featuring numerous hill forts, burial mounds, and a World Heritage stone circle located within ten miles. This article will guide you through the best attractions in Swindon.

1. STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway

The Swindon Works of the Great Western Railway operated for over 140 years until 1986, once ranking among the largest railway facilities globally. In 2000, several of these heritage structures were repurposed into a museum that commemorates the history of the Great Western Railway. One pivotal figure prominently featured is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Victorian engineer responsible for the railway’s design and infrastructure.

Within the expansive former engine sheds, visitors can marvel at an impressive display of steam locomotives, including a replica of the GWR Star Class train introduced in 1838, as well as the GWR 2301 Class from 1897, among others. The museum is staffed by retired rail workers who provide valuable insights about the exhibitions, including dioramas depicting platform scenes, ballast wagons being loaded, and showcasing traditional crafts such as carriage-making.

2. Museum of Computing

The exhibition at the Museum of Computing in Swindon presents a comprehensive 75-year overview of computer technology.

Housed in a repurposed shop near Central Library on Regent Circus, the collection features an array of vintage technology, including Apple Macs, desktop PCs, laptops, arcade games, and consoles, reflecting a curated love for these artifacts. Among its rare items are a Science of Cambridge MK14 from 1977 and a Nintendo Powerglove from 1989. A notable aspect of the Museum of Computing is that nearly all exhibits are operational, allowing parents to introduce their children to classic games such as Gameboys, Pong, or Space Invaders.

3. Lydiard Park

Located on the western edge of Swindon, Lydiard Park is home to a Grade I-listed Palladian country house nestled within 260 acres of parkland. The house is accessible for tours during the summer, where visitors can appreciate various rooms including the main hall, dining room, morning room, drawing room, guest bedroom, and dressing room, all adorned with intricate stuccowork, gilded furniture, marble fireplaces, silk wallpaper, and family portraits.

The expansive grounds are open year-round, featuring a recently restored walled garden from the 1740s, replanted with the original varieties of fruit trees and blooming flowers. The broader park offers a diverse landscape of lakes, woodlands, pastures, and lawns, along with interesting remnants from the Georgian era, such as an ice house, in addition to a café nestled in the woods.

4. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery

Located adjacent to each other in Swindon’s Old Town, the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery present a combined experience. The museum, situated in a heritage Georgian townhouse, showcases significant local archaeological finds, including Roman ceramics and coins from the Wanborough settlement. Visitors can also explore a collection of Jurassic fossils and a mummified hand from Ancient Egypt.

The Art Gallery, set in a contemporary space, boasts a strong reputation for its collection of prominent 20th-century British art, featuring artists such as Henry Moore, Lucian Freud, L. S. Lowry, and Graham Sutherland. Generally, there are four or five temporary exhibitions ongoing, which, during the summer of 2018, included showcases of interwar British art, modern ceramics, and historical representations of transport in Swindon.

5. Coate Water

Coate Water, located in Swindon’s Coate suburb, encompasses a park surrounding a substantial reservoir that was constructed in 1822 following the diversion of the River Cole. Originally intended to replenish the Wilts & Berks Canal, which was subsequently abandoned in the early 20th century, the reservoir eventually evolved into a popular recreational area.

Although swimming has been prohibited in the reservoir since 1958, a distinctive Art Deco diving platform from 1935 remains and is now a listed feature. The lake serves as a nature reserve, providing habitat for breeding and migratory bird species during transitional seasons, complete with bird hides for observation. The surrounding woodland boasts mature birch, ash, and oak trees, offering opportunities to glimpse deer and foxes within the wildflower meadows. Furthermore, the new Splash Park is available for younger visitors during warm weather, alongside barbecue and horse field rental options for day use.

6. Swindon and Cricklade Railway

The Midland and South Western Junction Railway was inaugurated in the 1880s, serving a vast portion of the West, extending from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire to Andover in Hampshire. It ceased passenger operations in 1961 and closed entirely a few years later. In 1978, a preservation society was formed, leading to a small tract of the line being reopened between Blunsdon Station and Hayes Knoll.

Over time, this line has been extended down to Taw Valley Halt on the northern outskirts of Swindon in 2014, demonstrating the impressive efforts of a solely volunteer-managed initiative. The railway features both steam and diesel locomotives and generally operates on weekends, offering themed events such as Murder Mystery nights, Children’s Treasure Hunts, a Steam Cider & Sausages event during the summer, and festive “Santa Specials” at Christmas.

7. Stanton Park

North of Swindon lies Stanton Park, a sprawling 185-hectare country park featuring expansive pastures, flower meadows, a sizeable fish pond, and significant woodland. The Great Wood stands out as a rare remnant of ancient broadleaf woodland, dating back at least four centuries, characterized by mature oak and hazel trees.

The park is a vital habitat for various species, including bats, roe deer, buzzards, and a remarkable diversity of fungi. The ideal time to visit is during spring or early summer when the meadows are ablaze with flowers and the sheep are lambing.

8. Mouldon Hill Country Park

To the northwest of Swindon, Mouldon Hill Country Park marks the boundary where the urban area transitions into the open countryside. The park gets its name from a 100-meter hill overlooking the River Ray, where visitors can stroll along the riverbanks or explore the segment of the Old Swindon Canal that is currently undergoing restoration.

A concealed lake, tucked amidst the vegetation, is highly regarded by anglers for its diverse fish population, including tench, roach, perch, bream, carp, and gudgeon. Furthermore, Mouldon Hill has been suggested as the forthcoming southern terminus of the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, located conveniently near the current endpoint at Taw Valley Halt.

9. Richard Jefferies Museum

The enchantment of the Wiltshire countryside is undeniable, and one author who expressed his admiration for these landscapes was the Victorian writer Richard Jefferies. Born in Coate in 1848, his birthplace and childhood residence is now a museum.

The exhibits housed in this quaint 19th-century farmhouse explore Jefferies’ profound connection with nature and agriculture, as articulated in his celebrated works such as The Life of the Fields and Bevis. As an early advocate for conservation, the museum also highlights his influence on fellow West Country writers like Edward Thomas and notable figures like David Attenborough. Visitors can explore family memorabilia and browse a shop featuring all of Jefferies’ literary contributions.

10. Swindon Designer Outlet

Visitors frequently travel considerable distances to shop at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Swindon, where discounts reach up to 60% off retail prices. Occupying the same premises as the STEAM museum, this outlet ranks as one of Europe’s largest covered designer shopping centers. It features a beautiful setting within the converted brick industrial structures of Swindon’s Great Western Railway Works.

With over 90 stores, the outlet includes international brands like Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Jeans, Boss, Levi’s, and Vans, alongside British favorites such as Ted Baker, Next, and M&S. After a day of bargain hunting, shoppers can choose from a variety of dining options ranging from fast food to formal restaurants, including Subway, Wagamama, and Carluccio’s.

11. Roves Farm

Perfect for families with children up to the age of ten, Roves Farm presents a large agricultural attraction that merges play areas with interactive animal experiences while integrating subtle educational elements. Children can partake in themed tractor rides, engage with and feed friendly domestic animals in the petting corner, observe larger farm animals like donkeys, sheep, cows, and alpacas in their paddocks, witness animal races, and participate in craft sessions.

The farm features an adventure playground, a bouncy castle, and a heated play barn to accommodate rainy days, along with sand pits. Additionally, children can construct their own dens within two acres of willow woodland or join a family walk while completing activity sheets along the way.

12. Jungle Parc

Located within Lydiard Park, Jungle Parc offers an exhilarating high ropes course set in the estate’s woodlands. The facility provides two main courses: The Adventurer Course, suitable for children aged three and above, features over 50 activities on the forest floor, with supervision from expert climbers. For older kids and adults, the Xplorer Course is elevated high in the canopy and presents a variety of challenging obstacles, including rope bridges, climbing nets, Tarzan swings, suspended logs, and zip lines.

13. The Ridgeway

Since 1972, an ancient route traversing the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns has been designated as a National Trail. The Ridgeway, considered the oldest road in Britain, has been followed by soldiers, herdsmen, and travelers since prehistoric times. This path lies not far south of Swindon, eventually curving down to Overton Hill, just west of Marlborough.

For those interested in walking, each hill along the way is steeped in Bronze Age and Iron Age history. For example, Liddington Castle, a late-Bronze Age fort, represents the highest point in the Borough of Swindon at 277 meters. Nearby, Barbury Castle, an Iron Age structure featuring dual layers of steep ramparts, dates back 2,500 years and is a prominent landmark.

14. Avebury Stone Circle

While often overshadowed by Stonehenge, the prehistoric sites at Avebury, merely ten miles south of Swindon, possess significant historical value. Visitors have the unique opportunity to walk among the stones and explore the circular earthworks. Approximately 4,500 years ago, Avebury held immense spiritual significance, leading to the creation of the largest stone circle in Britain, originally comprising over 500 standing stones—many still present today, although some were dismantled for building materials in the village.

The site features a central cove, inner and outer circles, a henge (circular earthwork), and avenues, all constructed over a span of 600 years. A visit to the monument can be complemented with a tour of Avebury Manor, a magnificent 16th-century residence filled with interactive furniture and utensils.

15. ATBShop Skate Warehouse

For those in your group who enjoy skateboarding, there is a dedicated indoor skatepark located within a warehouse in Swindon. This facility features a thoughtfully designed array of ramps, jumps, and obstacles conducive to various skating skills. It’s advisable to consult the ATBShop’s website for scheduling details, as they offer a range of sessions, including a Kids’ Club for younger skaters and mixed sessions for both adults and children.

Moreover, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and weekends, it is possible to reserve the entire warehouse for private sessions. Should you lack your own skating or safety gear, everything you need can be rented from the on-site shop.