There is no doubt that Swindon has risen to be a popular tourist destination in Wiltshire. Looking for the best things to do in Swindon might be a little bit hard for visitors as there are tons of things to do.

The city’s heritage and breathtaking surroundings make it a wonderful vacation destination with a large range of museums and several immaculate parks.

You will see a variety of creatures, including uncommon birds, deer, and owls, in many serene locations. There are opportunities to learn about the Great Western Railway and historic properties at local museums.

Just make sure that you have sufficient time to explore all the wonderful locations and experience all the things that Swindon has to offer.

For a perfect trip, here is the list of the best things to do in Swindon.

Things to do in Swindon

1 Visit the STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway

On the first list of things to do in Swindon is to head over to the STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway located at Fire Fly Ave, Swindon.

The museum, which is housed in a beautifully renovated building, highlights the fascinating history of the old railway. You will discover more about the people who traveled on the Great Western Railway as well as the men and women who contributed to its construction and operation as you tour the museum.

Situated right opposite the Swindon Designer Outlet, The Great Western Railway network is now recognized as the most sophisticated in the world thanks to Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s avant-garde vision and engineering brilliance.

2 Basset Down Golf Course & Driving Range

The entire family is welcome to play golf at Basset Down Golf Course & Driving Range in Wiltshire. For youngsters aged 6P–16 who are just beginning out or who want to improve their game, there is a group coaching class, a ‘Pay and Play’ facility, every Wednesday evening or Saturday morning.

Visiting this golf course will differently be a stepping stone for people traveling with their lids.

3 Museum of Computing

The Museum of Computing consists of over 70 years of technology on display including calculators, game consoles, desktop and laptop computers, and more.

The museum is located close to Theatre Square in the city’s center of Swindon. Visitors get to interact with the exhibitions and even play classic video games like Pong and Space Invaders.

While some exhibitions are temporary, others include items that are on loan from businesses and other collectors.  The museum is family-friendly and has much to interest visitors of all ages.

4 Empire Cinema

Experience the thrill of Hollywood by watching the best high-profile movies at the Empire Cinema in Swindon. There is something for everyone in the family with a wonderful selection of movies featuring the most recent releases that are the talk of the town.

With 12 screens, your family will never be short of something to see. Once you’ve gotten your popcorn and are seated, sit back, unwind, and wait for the magic to begin! If comedy is your thing, comedic movies will make you laugh till your sides hurt.

For families visiting Swindon with kids, The Empire Cinema is a top recommendation on your list of things to do in Swindon.

5 Swindon Spy Mission Treasure Trail

Visit the Swindon Spy Mission Treasure Trail if you’re searching for the best excursions and river cruises in Swindon. Swindon Spy Mission Treasure Trail is one of the places in Swindon Wiltshire for a day out with kids and families who are looking forward to unwinding in the city.

With this fantastic, self-guided trail, you’ll be hunting for hints all across Swindon’s downtown area, from the park to the shopping center.

You can learn more about Swindon’s history and get a deeper understanding of the community by exploring the Swindon Spy Mission Treasure Trail.

6 Lydiard Park

Lydiard Park is a 105-hectare park featuring the Palladian House, a historic estate with beautiful ornate plasterwork, original furnishings, and family portraits dating back to Elizabethan times.

The park is located around 15 minutes to the west of Swindon’s downtown. The play area allows kids to run about and climb, and the park is a great spot to exercise, walk, or ride a bike.

There are several places to have a picnic and dedicated grilling spaces, or you can have lunch or afternoon tea in the cafe or tea rooms. You can find special events year-round, including an open-air theatre, live music, and movie screenings.

The park is the best location for a spouse to snap a beautiful selfie with a perfect grandeur background.

7 Swindon Museum & Art Gallery

The Swindon Museum & Art Gallery is a notable art collection in the city that features displays of local history, archaeology, and geology.

You can find the Swindon Museum & Art Gallery on Bath Road in the Old Town area of Swindon.

The museum has displays that trace Swindon’s history from its ties to the Roman Empire up to more modern days.

8 Visit Cineworld Regent Circus

For a spouse that loves movie dates, head over to the Cineworld Swindon – Regent Circus as you’ll definitely find an interesting movie that aligned with your emotion.

Share the magic moment of the big screen with your spouse at this cutting-edge 6-screen cinema situated in the old college part of the new entertainment and leisure venue.

Grab some popcorn and a treat from Baskin Robbins before the movie as you experience modern cinematic technology and watch movies in a whole new light with the fantastic RealD 3D technology.

9 Tenpin Swindon

One of the best ways to beat boredom after school or on the weekends is to visit The Tenpin Swindon, a kid- and family-friendly attraction.

You can play a game of bowling, spend hours in their arcade, or compete against your kids to see who is the greatest table tennis player.

The best part, though, has to be a game of Cosmic Bowling, where the music is turned up, the lights go out, and the pins glow in the dark, plus you get to disco dance down the lanes!

Kids looking for a fantastic time need to visit the Tenpin Swindon for a fun-filled day out.

10 Visit Grange Garden & Leisure Park

Rain or shine, Summer or Winter, go to Butterfly World and experience the tropics of Wiltshire. Discover a magical world filled with amazing tropical flora, fish-filled pools, scary crawlies, and gorgeous butterflies.

You can watch the butterflies emerge from their pupa during your stay as a lovely world of vivid colors unfolds.

You may say hello to some of the friendly resident Raccoons, like Rigby and Darwin the Otter, while you explore the Zoo. You can also have a closer look at these amazing animals during animal feeding times.

Take a break at lunch time in the newly refurbished Garden Restaurant serving hot meals daily, a huge selection of cakes, sweet treats, and afternoon teas.

11 Rein and Shine

Rein and Shine is a highly commended riding school, incorporating a livery, offering high quality, professional, and friendly horse riding services for all the family.

The riding school provides group, semi-private, and individual classes with instructors who are British Horse Society certified.

They welcome people of all ages and abilities and beginners and experienced riders. If you enjoy horses and ponies and have always been curious about what it could be like to ride, they can introduce you to this incredible sport.

They also have 2 and 3-hour horsey experiences to include riding and stable management modules such as tacking up, grooming, etc. Visitors can as well hold their kid’s birthday party at Rein and Shine making it a fun-filled outing.

15 Best things to do in York for Couples

12 Coate Water Country Park

Coate Water country park is an ideal place to go if you want to enjoy natural beauty such as Crazy Golf, a splash park, a children’s playground, and fishing opportunities.

The park is situated on Marlborough Road in Swindon’s southeast corner. The 22-hectare lake that sits in the park’s middle is encircled by lovely woodlands and meadows full of wildflowers.

Given its diversity, the area is designated as a natural preservative and is home to numerous wildlife species, including fish, wild birds, swans, and ducks. For lunch and a cold drink, you can stop by the cafe, or you can grill your own food on the barbecues beside the lake.

A visit to the Coate Water country park is one of the most fun things to do in Swindon Wiltshire.

13 View Wildlife At Stanton Park

Stanton Park is a hidden gem with boasts 36 hectares of parkland that includes a lake, woodland, and grassland. Location at the Avenue, Stanton Fitzwarren of Swindon.

The park is home to an exceptionally wide range of habitats, such as hedgerows, wildflower meadows, wetlands, lakes, streams, ponds, hardwood trees, and over 900 species of fungi.

Stanton Park is owned by Swindon Borough Council. The park is home to a Roman villa that was once a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

As you stroll through the park, make sure to keep an eye open for the diverse species, as you might see owls, roe deer, badgers, wildfowl, or birds of prey.

14 Mouldon Hill Country Park

The Mouldon Hill Country Park is a nice place to take a quiet stroll and search for regional animals. The park is located in the parish of Haydon Wick, northwest of Swindon’s town center.

You can bring binoculars and pack a lunch as there are various routes that weave across the lovely landscape.

There is a secret lake that is a great place to have a picnic and see birds and other wildlife. Deer and numerous colorful bird species are frequently seen by visitors.

15 Have A taste of Italian Food at Prezzo

Prezzo brings to life modern Italian cuisine. They create the ideal environment for your social gatherings, love affairs, and reunions with delectable food to spark conversation and exceptional service to make every meal seem unique.

Prezzo is a great place to start or end your day out. Located a few minutes walk away from Queen’s Park filled with plenty of shops and a cinema.

You can choose from three different types of pizza: classic, light (half pizza, half salad), or the decadent V.I.Pizza, a massive slab of crispy pizza with a lot of toppings.

You can choose between Classic or Light Prezzo pasta, as well as the renowned folded calzone pizza, grills, stuffed pasta, and risotto dishes.

You have the option of selecting two traditional pasta dishes that are mixed into one dish using half quantities of each.

Best Time to Visit Swindon Wiltshire

The best and busiest month for tourist visits in Swindon, the United Kingdom is June,  followed by July and August. Tourists claim that these months are the best for visiting Swindon and having a good time.

Do you find this article on the best things to do in Swindon helpful, or have you been to Swindon before? Please share your experience in the comment section.