Swindon Museum & Art Gallery

The museum is situated in Bath Road in Old Town and has extensive displays covering local history,
archaeology and geology.

Visitors can follow the path of human history from the Stone Age, through the Bronze Age, Iron Age,
the Roman Empire up to the medieval age.

Among it's many artefacts are items found at the Roman Villa at Groundwell Ridge in Swindon.
Amongst other items on display are a 4.5 metre crocodile and an Egyptian Mummy of a 12 year old
boy.

Exhibitions change regularly

The Art Gallery has a reputation as one of the best collections of British 20th century art outside of
London.

Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road, Swindon SN1 4BA

01793 466556

Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Town Gardens
The Town Gardens are attractive and well loved by the people of Swindon.

The gardens are carefully and artistically laid out with pleasant tree lined walks & lawns bordered with
a mass of colourful flowers.

The aviary was built in 1994 as part of the gardens centenary celebrations and the birds that live here
are popular with children and adults alike.

During the summer months local bands & orchestras play in the delightful Victorian bandstand, while a
series of concerts are held in the impressive Town Gardens Bowl.

A number of festivals are also held here including the Indian Mela which attracts visitors in their
thousands, while The Old Town Festival fills the gardens with stalls and entertainment.

A refreshment kiosk feeds hungry humans while squirrels play on the grass and in the trees overhead.

Adjacent to the gardens are some tennis courts and a children's play area.

Town Gardens, Quarry Road, Old Town, Swindon 01793 490150

The Lawn
The Lawn is a glorious park in the Old Town area of Swindon covering over 86 acres which makes it
one of the largest open spaces in the Town.

The Lawn originally had a natural spring that flowed from the top of the hill, this made the site ideal
for settlement and Stone Age, Bronze Age, Roman & Saxon remains have been found here.

The lakes, meadows and avenues are a haven for wildlife with a wide variety of habitats.

Walking, Cycling and fishing can all be enjoyed here.

The Lawn has it's own ancient tree collection with species ranging from Yew, Walnut & Oak to more
unusual specimens such as Monkey Puzzle, Medlar & Wellingstonia.

The Lawn, Old Town, Swindon 01793 490150

Open dawn to dusk daily

Lydiard Park
Lydiard Park is situated to the west of the town.
Rolling lawns, shady trees, towering Lebanese cedars, ancient avenues &
carriageways and wonderful lakes can all be found here.
Restored pathways have opened up 260 acres of the site, paradise for walkers,
joggers, cyclists and wheelchair users.
A fantastic childrens play area offers plenty of choice for youngsters to use up any
excess energy
The Parish church is one of England's finest small churches and is filled with
monuments to the St John family including the Golden Cavalier-a life size effigy of
Edward St John in full battledress and the famous St John Triptych. (The key for the
church can be collected from the Rangers Office at Lydiard Park)
Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoz, Swindon SN5 3PA 01793 770401
Open dawn to dusk daily.
Coate Water Country Park
Coate Water is a man made reservoir constructed by The Wilts & Berks Canal Company in the early
1820's to top up the canal which passed through Swindon at the time. Following the arrival of the Great
Western Railway in the 1840's the canal gradually fell into decline, when the canal was closed the
reservoir was no longer required and in 1914 Swindon Corporation acquired the site as a place for
leisure for the people of Swindon

Today Coate Water is one of Swindon's most popular destinations. The nature reserve is ideal for bird
watching, Wildfowl live on the lake, while the numerous footpaths appeal to walkers.

Visitors can enjoy one of the many varied activities that the Swindon Rangers hold throughout the year,
there is a pitch & putt golf course, in the summer months there is a paddling pool as well as a train to
ride on. (Charges apply for events, pitch & putt, paddling pool & train rides)

Coate Water Country Park, Marlborough Road, Swindon SN3 6AA

01793 490150

Open dawn to dusk daily

Richard Jefferies was one of England's most individual

writers on nature and the countryside. He was born at Coate
in 1848 and the house here is now a museum.
The Museum includes first editions of many of his writings
including the manuscript of 'Wood Magic'. It also contains
photographs and memorabilia.
A video produced by the Richard Jefferies Society can be
viewed here, there is also a library of books for loan,
postcards and pamphlets.
Richard Jefferies Museum, Coate, Marlborough Road,
Swindon
01793 783040 or 01793 466556
Open 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month from May to
September 2pm-5pm, second Wednesday of each month
10am-4pm
National Monuments Record Centre
National Monuments Record Centre is English Heritage's public archive.

The collection has over 7 million photographs dating from the 1840's to the present day. It covers all
parts of England and includes images of historic buildings, streetscapes, gardens and archaeological
sites from the ground and from the air.

The centre has a database over a quarter of a million archaeological monuments & excavations in
England as well as thousands of plans, drawings & reports.

The Centre is open to everyone. You are welcome to consult our records including our excellent
reference library. You can also place an enquiry by post, fax or online.

National Monuments Record Centre, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2GZ

01793 414600

Open Tues-Fri 9.30am-5pm

Barbury Castle Country Park

Barbury Castle is a 150 acre Iron Age hill fort alongside The Ridgeway National
Trail.
The park offers spectacular views of the Marlborough Downs and Swindon.
It is an ideal place for walking, cycling, kite flying & to enjoy a picnic.
Swindon Rangers team organise regular events at Barbury Castle.
Barbury Castle, near Wroughton, Swindon
01793 490150
Open dawn to dusk daily