This October half-term, families in Swindon have a chance to dive into the town’s rich and varied history, thanks to an exciting range of activities hosted across the town’s three main museums. From railway safety to prehistoric monsters, the events are designed to educate, engage, and entertain visitors of all ages.
The STEAM Museum will captivate visitors with its fascinating ‘Is it Safe?’ exhibition, which showcases historical photos of dangerous railway situations and explores safety measures through the ages. On Wednesday, 30th October, families will have the chance to create their own railway safety posters and even dress up in historical railway uniforms. This interactive event promises to be both fun and educational, giving insight into how much safety on the rails has changed over time.
Meanwhile, over at Museum & Art Swindon (MAS), it’s Dinosaur Week! Running from 26th October to 2nd November, MAS will transport visitors back millions of years to Swindon’s Jurassic past, with a variety of dinosaur-themed activities and a new dinosaur trail. On Tuesday, 29th October, children will have the opportunity to handle real dinosaur fossils and bones, dating back 155 million years, before creating their own dinosaur models to take home. This fun and informative activity costs £4 per child but promises to be a roaring success.
MAS will also see its first exhibition changeover since it opened earlier this year, with new displays featuring Hardy’s Wessex and a range of collaborations, including one with the Swindon Photography Society.
Finally, Lydiard House Museum is getting into the Halloween spirit on Thursday, 31st October, with a mask-making session. Using leaves collected from the grounds of Lydiard Park, families can create their own spooky masks—perfect for trick-or-treating later that day.
The half-term activities are included in the usual museum entry fees, with only a small additional charge for the dinosaur model-making at MAS. Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, is excited for the week ahead:
“There’s so much happening at our brilliant museums this half-term. It’s a wonderful way for families to spend time together while learning more about our town’s past. Even when the special activities aren’t on, our museums are full of amazing exhibits for everyone to enjoy.”
