Swindon is definitely one of the South West’s best kept secrets, it’s a thriving town full of diverse and fun things to do. Especially now that COVID-19 restrictions are easing, it’s a great time to see exactly what’s going on in Wiltshire’s biggest towns. Staycations have never been more popular and what better place to visit than Swindon. You can be surrounded by amazing countryside, and take in the beautiful sights as well as the fun things to do.
Maybe you enjoy shopping, Swindon has a designer outlet, it’s one of the South West’s most popular shopping spots. Maybe you’re looking for some culture, then STEAM – The Museum of Great Western Railway, is just next door to the designer outlet. The Old Town Neighborhood is also great if you are looking for independent shops as well as a wonderful art gallery.
Swindon is also home to lots of green lands and beautiful scenery, there’s a great range of outdoor spaces to see and visit, such as Coate Water Country Park, Town Gardens and Lydiard Park. This diverse town is also home to a selection of restaurants from Brazilians to an Indian, there’s something to cater to everyone’s tastes, there’s also a range of hotels to suit all budgets.
Swindon Designer Outlet
Swindon Designer Outlet, a super popular shopping destination that gets shoppers from all over the country visiting, from its top designers to brilliant discount prices. Swindon Designer Outlet is the place to go for all of your shopping needs. There’s also plenty of places for you to stop and grab a bite to eat, as well as being children friendly.
Wyvern Theatre
The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, is named after the mythical wyvern that was the emblem of the kings of Wessex. The Queen and Prince Phillip opened the theatre in 1971 and since then it has been a popular spot for generations of theatregoers and provides showstopping live entertainment,
Roves Farm
Roves Farm is a working farm covering 166 hectares which is just 3 miles of East Swindon, and is on the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire border. The farm’s visitor centre opened in 1992 and welcomes people of all ages, allowing them to come and experience, as well as learn about animals, farming and the countryside. Both kids and adults can enjoy animal handling, tractor rides and there’s also a great soft play area.
The farm has plenty of activities for all of the family, from meeting animals to activity barn houses and activities to keep all of the family busy. There are exciting play areas with slides, ropes, ponds, tractors and a craft room where you can get artistic.
Museum of Computing
In the theatre square, the Museum of Computing is not just a repository of artefacts, it comes with a range of displays and also provides a forum for lectures. The museum is family friendly and welcomes people of all ages, as well as those with limited technical knowledge. You’ll find a range of hands-on exhibits so you’ll be able to experience computers as well as related items as they were in past times.
Butterfly World
Part of Studley Grange Garden and Leisure Park, it’s just a couple of minutes away from the M4, you can walk around and see some of the most beautiful butterflies in the world, Free flying against a backdrop of tropical plants and ponds. There’s a range of exotic species to be seen at Butterfly World, such as the Danaus Plexipuss, Greta Oto, the neon-like Catonephele.
Richard Jefferies Museum
Why not explore the house and gardens of the celebrated Victorian writer, Richard Jefferies, a nature author with a passion for the English countryside, he was born in this house which is now a museum. He’s popular for his depiction of rural life in England and the museum is a seventeenth-century thatched cottage as well as a three-story farmhouse with outbuildings and gardens.
The museum also provides a range of activities, from ‘nature tots’ for 0 to 5-year-olds and ‘chip and chatter’ stone carvings for adults. The museum also hosts a range of events including ‘Lazy Summer Sunday’s with live music and cream tea. The highlights include showings of the Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Havana Nights with Gaziano Di Prima, Swinging at the Cotton Club, Cirque Enfant and Davi Baddiel’s Trolls Not The Dolls.
Jungle Parc
Jungle Parc is a High Wire Course, from courses for 4+ to those who are older, there are a range of activities such as monkey bridges, rocket launchers, super-fast zips, cargo nets, tunnel slides and much more. Each level of adventurer course will get higher, this will permit you and your group to have a great time, no matter the ability or age.
There’s also a range of adrenaline-packed experiences, you can choose from the Xplorer Course, to tree to tree activities, there are so many options when it comes to zips, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, flying trapeze, suspending logs and wobbly bridges.
ATBShop Skate Warehouse
The ATBShop Skate Warehouse is Swindon’s only indoor skate park, inside the Oasis Leisure Centre, it’s just off the Great Western Way, there’s free parking available for customers as well as a cafe for parents and those who want to chill. There’s an on-site scooter and skateboard shop, as well as mini ramps and dedicated workshops, it’s a popular venue for private hire and birthday parties.
Skateboarding is a great way to get fit, this is because of the dangers that come with skateboarding. Obviously, there is the risk of falling off, but skateboarding trains your body in a unique way, a big part of skateboarding is balance, so you’ll really strengthen your core.
Whatever your reason for visiting Swindon, make sure that you see the town in style and book a luxury taxi service from 1st Call Swindon Taxis. Get in today for more information or you can book online.