Press Release 5 September 2018
Time to Discover Swindon's Best Kept Secrets and Hidden Gems
Swindon in the county of Wiltshire is one of the South West’s best kept secrets, a thriving and diverse modern town that is full of hidden gems.
Ever since the arrival of the Great Western Railway back in 1840, Swindon has been one of the region’s best connected and easily accessible.
Today it is home to many of the country’s biggest and most successful companies and it has also managed to retain much of its heritage while embracing a host of exciting new developments.
Things to See and Do
It offers a superb range of entertainment, leisure and accommodation for visitors of all ages with something for every budget.
There’s also a vibrant arts scene. The Wyvern Theatre offers a mixed programme of concerts, comedy, dance, drama, musical theatre and local amateur productions.
As well as fascinating exhibits including an Egyptian mummy and a 4.5 metre long Gharial a member of the Crocodilian family, Swindon Museum and Art Gallery has one of the most important collections of modern British art in the country.
It features mpressive and thought-provoking works by some of Britain’s finest modern artists, including Lucien Freud, Leon Kossoff, Frank Auerbach, Alfred Wallis and LS Lowry, alongside an important collection of studio ceramics.
At STEAM – Museum of the Great British Railway discover how the GWR become known as God’s Wonderful Railway. A must-see for all railway enthusiasts and non-railway enthusiasts alike. Located on the site of the world-famous railway works the museum houses a fantastic collection of some of the greatest steam locomotives ever built including King George V and City of Truro. The award-winning museum also took ownership last month of the heavy freight locomotive 2818 built in1905, which was used during WWI to transport coal for the Royal Navy.
Lydiard House & Park is the ancestral home of the Viscounts Bolingbroke. The Palladian house, beautiful church, walled garden and formal parkland offer a fascinating glimpse into life on a great country estate.
Coate Water Country Park, a Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, is a beautiful place for visitors. With a children’s playground, summer splash pool, crazy golf, miniature railway and so much more.
Seventy years of technology including the first desktop PC, laptops. tablets & Apple Macs, to games consoles, handhelds, arcade games and calculators are on show at the Museum of Computing. Visitors can even play old fashioned computer games, including Pong, Sonic The Hedgehog and Space Invaders.
Events and Entertainment
During the first fortnight in May, the Swindon Festival of Literature features novelists, poets, politicians, travellers, scientists, storytellers, sportsmen, historians, comedians, artists, and activists. Plus competitions, and workshops.
The WrdeUp Musical Festival (July 6th 2019), in Highworth, is a family fun day of music for the community and surrounding areas. A platform for local musicians, artists and tribute bands.
Where to Eat and Shop
McArthurGlen’s Swindon Designer Outlet is housed in the beautifully renovated Grade II listed buildings of the Great Western Railway Works and is one of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe. As well great shops the outlet also features a host of dining and café options.
The Highworth is an elegant Georgian townhouse featuring exposed beams and antique fireplaces. There’s a bar and a friendly restaurant serving locally sourced produce complemented by distinctive wines from around the world
The Larder Restaurant & Bar is the place to be for Great British bites with a modern flare. Relax over an espresso with a continental pastry at the café in the lounge area of the Hilton Swindon Hotel or if you feel like something more substantial, stop by for a delicious meal in the restaurant.
The Town Centre boasts a great choice of cafes, restaurants and bars including the newly opened food court "The Crossing". There's also the new Regents Circus development with many restaurants and a six-screen cinema all under one roof.
Where to Stay
Swindon has a huge choice of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
Cheney Thatch is a large country cottage with heated swimming pool and superb English breakfast. Set in beautiful countryside adjoining Lydiard Park, Park Farm is a 300-year-old stone, beamed property offering four-star farmhouse accommodation.
Standing in over 30 acres of peaceful, secluded grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds, Cricklade House Hotel offers a traditional, warm and friendly welcome for those in search of tranquillity, comfort, good food and wine, with extensive recreational facilities.
Hotel chains such as Swindon Marriott, Campanile Hotel, Holiday Inn Swindon and Double Tree by Hilton are also a popular choice
What’s Nearby?
Close by attractions include the world-renowned Avebury Stone Circle one of the greatest marvels of prehistoric Britain, Cotswold Water Park which has something for everyone including watersports, birdwatching, angling, off road cycling, an inland beach, plus lakeside walks. Also nearby is Barbury Castle, which is one of the many Iron Age hill forts along the 87 mile long route of the Ridgeway; reputed to be Europe’s oldest road.
Additional nearby attractions include Co-DeCode Live Escape Games, Studley Grange Butterfly World and Craft Village, Swindon and Cricklade Railway and Roves Farm Visitor Centre.
- For further information please see www.visitwiltshire.co.uk
- For further information about Swindon visit www.visitswindon.org.uk
For further information or to arrange a press visit please contact Florence Wallace, Travel Trade & PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk Tel: 01722 341309 or 07436 588860
Note to editors: VisitWiltshire is the official Destination Management & Marketing Organisation for Wiltshire representing 600 partners. It is a public/private sector membership organisation. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports over 29,000 jobs.
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