Get immersed in the town’s past this half-term at Swindon Museums

Swindon Borough Council’s three museums are hosting a number of activities to keep families entertained over the October half-term and there’s sure to be something to suit everyone’s tastes.

At the STEAM Museum, inspired by the ‘Is it Safe?’ exhibition, visitors get the chance to explore historical photos showing dangerous railway situations and discuss the safety measures of the past compared to today. They will also get a chance to view fascinating artefacts related to railway safety.

Alongside the exhibition, on Wednesday, 30 October (between 10.30am and 3.30pm), families will be able to design their own posters to highlight safety issues and ways to prevent railway accidents. There will even be the opportunity to dress-up in historical railway clothing.

At Museum & Art Swindon (MAS), in the Civic Offices, Euclid Street, the monsters who ruled the earth come to life in Dinosaur Week.

Visitors can get up close and personal with creatures from Swindon’s prehistoric past.

Between 26 October and 2 November, visitors to MAS can find out about Swindon’s Jurassic sea monsters and try the new dinosaur trail.

Also, on Tuesday, 29 October, children can hold some real-life dinosaur bones and fossils from 155m years ago (10.30am to 12.15pm and 1pm to 3pm) and make their own model dinosaur to take home (for £4 per child).

Alongside the events, MAS will also see its first exhibition changeover since the facility opened earlier this year. The changeover will see new exhibitions focussed on Hardy’s Wessex as well as ones worked on with the Council’s partners including the Swindon Photography Society.

Finally, at Lydiard House Museum, families can get into the Halloween spirit with a mask-making event taking place on Thursday, 31 October between 11am and 2.30pm.

After picking up leaves from around Lydiard Park, visitors will be shown how to turn them into a mask for a variety of occasions, maybe even for use when trick or treating that same evening.

The activities across STEAM and Lydiard are included in the museums’ respective entry fees. Dinosaur Week is free at MAS but an additional cost applies to the model dinosaur activity.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “There’s so much going on at our amazing museums this half-term and I can’t wait to see everyone enjoying them.

“October can be quite a wet month, so what better way to spend the half-term than visiting our incredible museums, immersing yourself in Swindon’s history and taking part in some fantastic activities for the whole family.

“Even when the activities aren’t taking place, our museums offer a great experience and a real chance for everyone to learn more about the town we live in and how it came to be – even if that involves some terrifying dinosaurs!”

More information about the events can be found on the STEAM, Lydiard and MAS websites.