One year on from reopening its doors in the heart of Swindon’s Civic Offices, Museum & Art Swindon has cemented itself as a cultural gem, receiving heartfelt praise from thousands of visitors – young and old – who have passed through its expanded gallery spaces since July 2024.
Gone are the days tucked away at Apsley House in Old Town. Today, in its new home on Euclid Street, the museum boasts 40 per cent more space, improved accessibility, and a fresh energy that has transformed it into one of Swindon’s most visited cultural destinations.
Visitor comments collected over the past 12 months paint a vivid picture: “Amazing, epic, awesome, wonderful. I shall tell people about this place,” wrote one enthusiastic guest. Another simply called it “a treat for the soul” – a fitting tribute to a venue that has brought art, history, and a sense of wonder back to the heart of the community.
From Roman relics to contemporary canvases, the museum’s programming has been both broad and brilliantly curated. Over the past year, Museum & Art Swindon has:
- Welcomed thousands of guests
- Delivered 26 unique exhibitions
- Hosted 131 events
- Introduced a new Stegosaur fossil
- Reacquainted visitors with the much-missed Swindon Gharial
- Welcomed schools in specially designed educational sessions
Young Isabelle, aged nine, summed it up sweetly: “I love the paintings. It’s really interesting. I’m having fun.” Annie, another budding enthusiast, shared: “I enjoyed crafting, dressing up and seeing the croc.”
Andrew Cross, Chair of the Friends of Museum and Art Swindon, praised the venue’s progress: “So we reach the end of the first year in this new space, made possible by Swindon Borough Council’s commitment to repurposing the Civic Offices. The exhibitions have been vibrant, the outreach impressive, and the Friends are proud to support its continued growth.”
The museum’s final exhibitions of the year – A Very British Art Revolution and Seriously… – are currently on display alongside Meet the Romans, which offers a deep dive into our region’s links to ancient history.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, reflected on the museum’s success: “For the first time, Swindon has historical galleries that genuinely tell the town’s story from its earliest origins. But we’ve also got a world-class contemporary art collection. The first year is only the beginning. If you haven’t been yet – why not? Now’s the perfect time.”
Museum & Art Swindon is free to visit and continues to develop new exhibitions, summer activities and engaging events for all ages. Whether you’re local or just passing through, it’s a space that inspires, educates and, as many have said, offers something truly good for the soul.
For more information on current and upcoming exhibitions, visit: www.museumartswindon.com
