Your Total Guide To family

Swindon's Child-Friendly Spring Activities

Spring is in the air, and aren’t we relieved! With spring comes new life, brighter weather and a new-found urge to get out and about with the family in the sunshine – just what’s needed after spending winter tucked away inside. Here’s what we recommend when it comes to making the most of the beautiful spring season with the little ones…

Meet the lambs at Roves Farm

Some would argue that it’s not Spring unless you spot a new-born lamb! You can spot them in fields all around our stunning Wiltshire countryside, but if you’d like to get up close and personal with them, take a visit to Roves Farm! Your little ones will be able to meet lots of other new-born animals too – it’s simply magical! Find out more about Lambing at Roves Farm here.

Go bluebell spotting

One of our personal favourite things to do in Spring is to go out spotting all the colourful spring flowers that crop up all over the place. Lydiard Park is idyllic for Spring flowers, especially around the walled garden where they are specially planted every year. You won’t be short of snowdrops, bluebells, crocuses or daffodils – that’s for sure! Other fantastic locations for bluebells include Hagbourne Copse, Badbury Hill and West Woods. Click here for more info.

Visit a National Trust Property

National Trust properties don’t just offer pleasant walks in the grounds of lovely NT estates, but you’re also guaranteed to learn a great deal! With lots to see both outdoors and indoors in the historic properties, the kids (and adults!) will have so much fun taking in the sights and learning all about the history of the properties/estates and exploring their past! Click here to view the National Trust properties around Swindon.

A train ride at Swindon and Cricklade Railway

Come rain or shine, you can’t beat a train ride on the Swindon and Cricklade railway. Jump on a steam train and enjoy a relaxing, 45-minute ride through Swindon’s stunning countryside. Stop off at Hayes Knoll, which is the current northern terminus on the railway. Kids will love to explore the railway’s locomotive shed and restoration facilities! Find out more about Swindon and Cricklade Railway here.

Nature trails

Kids love a nature trail, and it’s a brilliant way to get them out and about connecting with the outside world. Invest in nature with the little ones by looking for different leaves, flowers and woodland creatures! Great nature and walking trails in Swindon can be found at Lydiard Park, Stanton Park, Mouldon Hill Country Park and much more! Here’s a list of Swindon’s best walks.

A visit to Rays Ice Cream Parlour

Both kids and adults alike, no one can turn down delicious ice cream! Situated in the centre of Old Town and in the heart of Wootton Bassett, Rays is a great place to visit with the little ones. Their ice cream is to die for (we’d know – we’ve sampled it many a time!) but if it’s a cold day, why not opt for one of their mouth-watering homemade Belgian waffle? Find out more about Rays Ice Cream here!

A trip to the park

We’ve already mentioned the much-loved Lydiard Park, but it’s worth mentioning again as there is SO much to do there in the Spring! Look for much loved seasonal flowers, follow the woodland trails, feed the ducks and swans on the lake, spend hours playing on the huge playground and stop off for a cup of tea and an ice cream at the café or tea rooms! Find out more about Lydiard Park here.