Join us in Emlyn Square, the heart of Swindon’s historic Railway Village for our Heritage Hub. We open the cosy Bakers for tours, talks and other activities.
This event is hosted by The Swindon Society. From its very beginnings the Society has attempted to record the social history of the area as shown by the camera since the 1850's. The collection contains photographic material on many subjects including the GWR Swindon, Swindon Tramway system, Wilts & Berks Canal, Swindon in both World […]
Philip Garrahan will contrast Swindon’s reputation for railway engineering with its important social history. It was once a complete company town, when the outside observer could be forgiven for thinking the GWR and Swindon were the same. The new town was built on a greenfield site with innovations in its Railway Village, Medical Social Fund, Mechanics’ Institute, Art School and much more. Our modern nostalgia about railways may overlook how distinctive Swindon […]
This external event is organised by Artsite People Places Partnership. Swindon Arts Fringe Festival Swindon Arts Fringe Festival (SWAF) returns to Swindon Town Centre for a second year and hopes to be even more successful as last year. The Fringe Festival focuses on inclusivity for curators and artists: giving opportunities for artists to find their […]
Meet Mrs Smith as she offers a tour of her Victorian Cottage at the Railway Village Museum. Actor and history addict Louise Jordan guides you through her cottage in this exclusive tour. Discover life in Swindon for a 1901 family, from a housewife who shares her busy routine while her husband is at work and the children […]
Join us to celebrate Heritage Open Days 2025 on Saturday 13th September in Swindon's historic Railway Village! With a range of FREE activities you're set to discover and learn about the Village's past, present and future. All told through our heritage buildings and dedicated volunteers. Witness the sights of local community life and how it's […]
The world’s first public railway, the Stockton & Darlington Railway, opened in the northeast of England in 1825 and marked the start of rail travel in Britain and across the world. Over the following two centuries the rail network expanded over the country and led to the construction of some of the most spectacular examples […]
Bring the whole family to the Railway Village Museum for an interactive tour with Mrs Smith, a busy housewife from 1901! Actress and history aficionado Louise Jordan brings history to life as she invites everyone into her cosy Victorian cottage. Families will love this hands-on FREE experience as it brings Swindon history to life in a […]
It is 80 years since the end of WW2, and 40 years since the closure of Swindon Railway Works. The Works contribution as a war factory was colossal, its achievements little recognised. With the two defining factors of WW1 and WW2 leaving their indelible marks in the minds of Swindon Railway workers, what was it […]