Choose by situation
- Rainy day – free
- Museum & Art Swindon (Civic Offices, Tue–Sat). Designer Outlet for browsing (free parking first 3 hrs).
- Rainy day – paid
- Freedog, Link Centre, Studley Grange (butterflies, zoo), Vue Cinema, STEAM Museum.
- Sunny day – free
- Lydiard Park, Coate Water (play area, lake, splash park in summer), Stanton Park, Barbury Castle. Parking may charge.
- Sunny day – paid
- Roves Farm (animals, tractors), Swindon & Cricklade Railway (steam trains), Lotmead Farm (pick your own, play area – seasonal).
- Toddlers and pre-school
- Roves Farm (toddler time), Link Centre soft play, parks with play areas, baby and toddler groups.
- Older kids and teens
- Freedog (arena, Clip 'n Climb), Jungle Parc at Lydiard Park, Museum of Computing, Wyvern Theatre shows.
- Budget under £10 per person
- Swimming (~£5), trampoline (~£8), STEAM Museum (~£8 child), cinema child ticket (~£5). See our budget activities guide.
| Venue | Cost | Best for | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lydiard Park | Free (grounds) | All ages, dogs OK | No |
| Coate Water | Free | All ages, splash park summer | No |
| Museum & Art Swindon | Free | All ages | No |
| Freedog | Paid | 5+ especially teens | Yes |
| Link Centre | From ~£5 | All ages | Yes |
| Roves Farm | From ~£9 | Toddlers, primary | Recommended |
| Swindon & Cricklade Railway | From ~£8 child | All ages | No |
| STEAM Museum | From ~£8 child | 5+ | No |
| Studley Grange | From ~£6 child | All ages | Check website |
Source: Venue websites
Indoor activities
Freedog Swindon
Ninja runs, Clip 'n Climb, Strike Arena (Crystal Maze-style), soft play, interactive sports. Café and free parking.
Visit websiteLink Centre
Trampoline park, soft play, ice rink, and pool under one roof. Westlea, SN5 7DL. Run by Better (GLL).
Read moreShaw Ridge Leisure Park
Adventure Point and activities. Same estate as Link Centre – combine with trampoline or soft play.
Visit websiteSTEAM Museum
Railway heritage, locomotives, GWR Signal Box, steam simulator. Kemble Drive. Great for train fans.
Read moreMuseum & Art Swindon
Art and history collections at the Civic Offices. Free admission. Good rainy-day option.
Read moreMuseum of Computing
Hands-on vintage computers and games. Theatre Square. Ideal for tech-curious families.
Read moreOutdoor activities
Coate Water Country Park
Lake, woodland, play area, splash park (summer), café. Marlborough Road. One of Swindon's largest parks.
Read moreJungle Parc
Treetop adventure courses at Lydiard Park. Adventurer course for 7–14 year olds.
Visit websiteStanton Park
Woodland, grassland, lake. Quieter than Lydiard and Coate Water. Good for dog walks.
Read moreBarbury Castle
Iron Age hillfort on the Ridgeway. Panoramic views. Exposed – wrap up if windy.
Read moreSwindon & Cricklade Railway
Heritage steam and diesel trips from Blunsdon. Day Out with Thomas and other events.
Read moreFarms and more
Roves Farm
Meet & Feed animals, tractor rides, Pets Corner, adventure play. Toddler time in term time. Near Sevenhampton.
Read moreStudley Grange Butterfly World
Butterfly farm, reptile room, zoo, farm park. Craft village, soft play, tractor rides. M4 J16.
Visit websiteLotmead Farm
Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins (seasonal). Outdoor play area with wooden structures. Café. Reopens Easter.
Visit websiteSwindon Designer Outlet
Shops, cafes, play area, Hooter Express train. Free to browse. Free parking first 3 hours.
Read moreTown centre
Boom Battle Bar
Arcade games, axe throwing, crazy golf, shuffleboard. Regent Circus. Good for older kids and teens.
Visit websiteRichard Jefferies Museum
17th-century cottage museum dedicated to nature writer Richard Jefferies. Near Coate Water. Free entry.
Visit websiteTheme parks and big days out
Looking for a bigger adventure? Within 1–2 hours of Swindon you'll find Alton Towers, Cadbury World, Whipsnade Zoo, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham, and Sea Life Birmingham – all popular with families. Pre-booking tickets can save you money compared with buying at the gate.
Events and what's on
Check What's On for family events – many venues run special activities during half term and school holidays.
Holiday guides: Half-term activities · Summer family days out · Easter holidays · Christmas in Swindon
Practical tips
- Book ahead – Freedog, Link Centre trampoline/soft play, and Roves Farm often need advance booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
- Parking – Coate Water and Lydiard Park charge for parking. Designer Outlet free for first 3 hours.
- Check before you go – Opening times and prices change. Always check the venue website. Some attractions close or reduce hours in winter.
- Free options – Parks (parking may charge), Museum & Art Swindon, Designer Outlet browsing. See our free things to do guide.
Save on theme park and attraction tickets
Alton Towers, Cadbury World, zoos and more – compare prices and often save vs gate tickets.
Compare attraction ticketsInformation correct as of February 2026. Opening times, prices, and facilities can change. Always check venue websites before visiting. Some activities require advance booking.