Christmas at STEAM

Christmas at STEAM takes over STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, with the museum open 10:00 to 17:00 both days. It's a big one for the museum, and what's nice is that they don't clear the floor for it — the award-winning displays and the line of GWR locomotives stay right where they are, so you can still wander through the trains while the Christmas stuff happens around them.

More than 60 Christmas market stalls line the floor, and they're not just the usual suspects. You'll find hand-crafted silver jewellery, photographic prints, glass artworks, home furnishings, and Christmas tree decorations, alongside wooden toys, traditional games, chutneys, and luxury confectionery. It's the kind of spread where you can pick up something proper for the tree and a few bits for the table in one go.

There's a live entertainment programme running in the Great Western Hall, put together from local schools and arts groups. The line-up includes Tanwood School of Performing Arts, Kentwood Choir, Thomford Theatre, JHS Dance, Mid West Big Band, and Swindon Dance SALTO!, so it's a good mix of singing, dancing, and theatre throughout the day. Santa is back on both days too, telling festive stories to children in the specially staged Hawksworth Hall.

Admission is £4.00 for adults and £1.50 for children aged 3 to 15, with under-3s free. If you want the Santa's Storytime, that's an extra £11.50 per child on top of admission. Last entry is 16:00, and there's no free parking, so keep that in mind when you're planning your trip to Fire Fly Avenue.