Railway Experiences and Days Out

Swindon & Cricklade Railway is best suited to family railway days out, heritage train rides, local Wiltshire history and visitors who want a railway attraction close to Swindon, Cricklade and the Cotswold Water Park area.

Heritage Train Ride

Blunsdon Station Railway Journey

The main visitor experience starts at Blunsdon Station, where passengers can enjoy a heritage railway ride and make use of the station facilities, café, shop and museum interest.

Best for families and local steam train trips

Official Railway Website

Museum, Café & Country Park

Blunsdon Visitor Centre and Mouldon Hill

Blunsdon Station gives visitors a useful base, while the railway’s southern end links the experience with Mouldon Hill Country Park, making it easy to combine trains with outdoor time.

Best for relaxed family visits

Official Find Us Page

Why Swindon & Cricklade Railway Is Special

Swindon & Cricklade Railway is special because it preserves part of Wiltshire’s railway story on the former Midland & South Western Junction Railway route, close to a town with major railway heritage of its own.

• Close to Swindon
  The railway is one of the most convenient heritage railway options for Swindon, Cricklade, Cirencester, Royal Wootton Bassett and North Wiltshire visitors.
• Blunsdon visitor base
  Blunsdon Station has visitor facilities including a café, shop, museums and parking, making it a practical starting point for a railway day out.
• Mouldon Hill Country Park access
  The line offers useful access towards Mouldon Hill Country Park, adding outdoor appeal to a railway visit.
• Standard gauge preservation
  The railway gives visitors a standard gauge heritage railway experience in an area strongly associated with railway history.

How to Plan Your Day on Swindon & Cricklade Railway

The easiest way to plan a visit is to start at Blunsdon Station, check the operating calendar, ride the train and allow extra time for refreshments, museum displays and nearby countryside.

• Start at Blunsdon Station
  This is the main visitor centre at Tadpole Lane, Swindon, and the best starting point for most arrivals by car.
• Check the timetable first
  Services are seasonal and event-led, so check the official railway website before travelling.
• Add Mouldon Hill Country Park
  Visitors can combine the railway with Mouldon Hill Country Park for a fuller family day out.
• Allow time for the station
  Blunsdon’s café, shop, museum interest and outdoor areas make it worth allowing extra time beyond the train ride itself.

About Swindon & Cricklade Railway

Swindon & Cricklade Railway is a volunteer-led standard gauge heritage railway in Wiltshire, with its main visitor centre at Blunsdon Station.

The railway preserves part of the former Midland & South Western Junction Railway route and gives visitors a heritage train ride north of Swindon, with stations and operating features that appeal to both families and railway enthusiasts.

Why railway enthusiasts rate it

• Midland & South Western Junction Railway heritage
  The railway keeps alive part of a route that once linked important cross-country railway territory.
• Hayes Knoll interest
  Hayes Knoll is associated with railway operations, restoration work and signal box interest on the preserved line.
• Swindon railway context
  Its location near Swindon gives the railway extra relevance for visitors interested in the wider railway history of the area.
• Volunteer preservation story
  The railway has been rebuilt and developed by preservation volunteers, giving it strong enthusiast appeal.

Route, Stations and Highlights

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway route is centred on Blunsdon Station, with heritage services operating over the preserved line towards Hayes Knoll and the Swindon/Mouldon Hill end of the railway.

• Blunsdon Station
  The main station, visitor centre and best starting point for most visitors.
• Hayes Knoll
  A key operational location on the railway with preservation and railway interest.
• Swindon Mouldon Hill / Taw Valley Halt area
  The southern end of the railway gives access towards Mouldon Hill Country Park.
• North Wiltshire countryside
  The railway gives a compact heritage ride through countryside close to Swindon and Cricklade.

Best Time to Visit Swindon & Cricklade Railway

• Spring and summer
  Best for family railway days out, outdoor seating, countryside views and combining the train ride with Mouldon Hill Country Park.
• Steam operating days
  Best for visitors who want the classic steam train atmosphere.
• Special events
  Good for families and repeat visitors looking for a bigger day out than a standard train ride.
• School holidays
  Useful for short family trips from Swindon, Cricklade, Cirencester, Chippenham and Gloucester.

Looking for More Train Experiences?

Swindon & Cricklade Railway is a strong local choice for Wiltshire heritage railway days out. If you want to compare nearby railways, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Dean Forest Railway and Avon Valley Railway are useful options from Gloucester and the west.

Plan Your Visit

• Main station: Blunsdon Station, Tadpole Lane, Swindon, SN25 2DA
• Region: Wiltshire / North Wiltshire
• Nearby places: Swindon, Cricklade, Cirencester, Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham and Gloucester
• Typical journey style: Standard gauge heritage railway trip with visitor facilities and countryside context.
• Typical visit length: Around one to three hours, depending on train times, events and how long you spend at the station or nearby country park.
• Best fit: Families, local visitors, Swindon day-trippers, Wiltshire railway history fans and heritage railway enthusiasts.

Other Rail Away Days Guides

Continue planning your railway day out with more Rail Away Days guides and experience pages.

Frequently Asked Questions