As the summer holidays enter their final weeks, Swindon’s STEAM Museum is offering families the perfect way to enjoy some fun and education before school starts again. With three exciting new exhibitions launched, there’s plenty to keep both children and adults entertained.
The STEAM Museum, which is owned by Swindon Borough Council, has become a go-to destination this summer, especially with its fantastic ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer. This deal allows up to four children to visit the museum with a full-paying adult, making it an affordable and enjoyable day out for local families.
The first of the trio of exhibitions, Stop Police!, delves into the fascinating history of policing on the railways, right from the days when early police officers managed trains with semaphore signals, to the present-day work of the British Transport Police. Visitors can admire GWR truncheons, uniform badges, police signs, and intriguing documents from the museum’s archives. The exhibition even features a fun semaphore flag activity and a Take Your Own Mugshot photo gallery—perfect for keeping the kids engaged.
Next up is Fire Fire, an exhibition that charts the evolution of firefighting on the GWR network. From early horse-drawn fire pumps to the powerful motorised Dennis fire engines, this display captures the bravery and dedication of the GWR’s fire brigades. It also touches on the critical role they played during the Second World War, when Britain and the GWR faced attacks. Children can enjoy the interactive Old or New? activity, where they can match modern and vintage fire equipment.
The final exhibition, Is it Safe?, takes a closer look at the GWR’s efforts to prevent accidents and save lives. Using original images and objects from STEAM’s collection, this display highlights the work of the St John Ambulance, whose members were often GWR employees, and the GWR Safety Movement, which promoted safe working practices on the railways. The exhibition features some remarkable photographs from the museum’s collection, including a few humorous images showing the GWR’s creative approach to safety.
In addition to the exhibitions, STEAM Museum is hosting a variety of hands-on drop-in sessions throughout the summer holidays. From bridge-building challenges to object handling, there’s something for every young engineer and historian to enjoy. And every Wednesday, families can get involved in the popular Lego Brick Explorer Day—a sure hit with children of all ages.
Swindon Museums Manager Frances Yeo expressed her excitement about the new exhibitions: “It’s fantastic to share more of our wonderful collections with the public. Our new Stop Police! exhibition even features a recent acquisition—a police helmet badge—thanks to support from the Friends of Swindon Railway Museum. The Is It Safe? exhibition also showcases some brilliant images from our archives, including some comical ones that highlight the GWR’s efforts to keep people safe.”
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, also praised the museum’s offerings: “The ‘Kids for a Quid’ scheme is a brilliant way to enjoy a day out at our museums. The bridge-building activity is always a favourite, and I’m personally a fan of the object handling sessions—when I was young, I always wanted to touch everything in museums! The Brick Explorer Day is bound to attract families who love Lego, and it’s great to see STEAM offering such a wide range of activities.”
For more information or to book tickets, visitors can head to the STEAM Museum website. And don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates and event news.
