Family Things To Do Within 1 Hour Of Swindon?

mew

Our summer holiday plans have now changed and we are now left with a spare day in Swindon. Our original plan was to go to Pontins Brean Sands via Thorpe Park and Longleat, including a 2 night stopover in Swindon (cheap hotel).

We have now decided yo visit Longleat from Brean Sands and so are left with a spare day in Swindon (which appears to be in the middle of nowhere) and have nothing to do.

Does anyone have any suggestions of something fun to do within 1 hours drive (each way). We would be 2 adults with two girls aged 5 & 12?

maureen59

There is the cotswold wildlife park in Burford about 25 minutes away. Burford itself is nice too. Oxford about 25-30 minutes away. Plenty of college to see. Christchurch college is where they filmed some harry potter scenes so the kids would love it. The river and shops are all close by as well as museums.
Bourton on the water is stunning so is Bibury both not that too far.

chunkychocky

Legoland is about an hour from Swindon I think.

mew

maureen59 wrote: »

There is the cotswold wildlife park in Burford about 25 minutes away. Burford itself is nice too. Oxford about 25-30 minutes away. Plenty of college to see. Christchurch college is where they filmed some harry potter scenes so the kids would love it. The river and shops are all close by as well as museums.
Bourton on the water is stunning so is Bibury both not that too far.

That sounds lovely except for my daughter and niece would 'kids from hell' in such tranquil places and although I'd love to see some of the sights used in HP, my daughters interest in HP doesn't go past the Lego Harry Potter Video games.

I will however look up the Wildlife park, One saving grace of both Kids is that they do like animals and I'm guessing it might also be a nice drive there and back (well anything has to be better than the M1 & M4).

chunkychocky wrote: »

Legoland is about an hour from Swindon I think.

That was/is our last resort plan. Legoland is great but we have already been a few times this year and will probably split the day at Thorpe park with a few hours in Legoland (We have Merlin Passes and my daughter qualifies for an exit pass).

WestonDave

Wildlife Park is a good option with a full day to kill. Drive is pretty simple - straight up the main road from Swindon - not a bad road. I've taken ours there a couple of times and the sheer spread of the place means it takes the best part of a day to go around. The downside is that if its a wet day its nearly all outside so take coats and umbrellas. There is the Oasis swimming pool in Swindon which is a wave pool type place - however you'll only kill an hour there and its pretty tired these days. Swindon Outlet village on the old railway works is nice for shopping but unless they are both into shopping that won't help you. Bowood is a bit further but possibly worth considering if they are more into adventure type parks.

katskorner

I believe there is an outlet shopping village at Swindon so that may be worth a look?