1 Currently open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, Swindon Museum of Computing in Theatre Square - www.museumofcomputing.org.uk - draws visitors from throughout the country. They range from technological historians anxious to examine rare relics to families whose children are curious to see the electronic games, early home computers and other gadgets which were the latest thing in the strange decades before the advent of the PS4, Xbox One and Switch.

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2 When the air is chilly and skies a dispiriting grey, many Swindon people have discovered that a good way of cheering themselves up is stalking family and friends through a darkened indoor network of hiding places before giving them a good blast with a futuristic weapon. Laserquest Swindon - www.lqswindon.co.uk - at Shaw Ridge has everything a would-be space mercenary needs, and the light emitting weapons - combatants wear special target packs to register hits - are perfectly safe.

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3 The Richard Jefferies Museum - richardjefferies.org - is much more than a celebration of the Victorian nature writer who is easily Swindon’s most revered literary export. Run by a team of volunteers, it has become a cultural hub in recent years, offering everything from art exhibitions and craft workshops to theatre, dance and children’s study sessions. All events at the museum, whose premises are Jefferies’ childhood home, are based on a commitment to preserving and celebrating the natural world.

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4 Nobody could accuse Studley Grange at Wroughton - www.studleygrange.co.uk - of failing to offer something for just about everybody. Its proud boast is that it is several venues in one. Perhaps the best known of these is Butterfly World, whose tropical temperature is a refuge for many a visitor as well as the exquisite permanent resident at this time of year. The nearby farm park has creatures ranging from geese to a giant tortoise. At the Craft Village, visitors can stock up on supplies and try their hands at new things, while the soft play area means youngsters can have fun no matter the weather. Another attraction is the large garden centre.

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5 STEAM - Swindon’ museum of the Great Western Railway - offers not just its unrivalled collection of regular exhibits but an ever-changing programme of special events. The current one is an exhibition of nameplates from the HSTs which dominated the main line between South Wales and London for decades. A number of events are being planned for the Christmas season, and details can be found at www.steam-museum.org.uk

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6 Another venue with an ever-changing roster of special exhibitions is Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Bath Road. The current ones include a selection from Swindon’s collection of 20th century art, a Ken White retrospective, an exhibition of ceramics and a collection of images from the early days of popular photography.

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7 Many of the artefacts held by the Corinium Museum in Cirencester - coriniummuseum.org - focuses on the town’s important Roman history, but its Roman relics are part of a much larger collection which covers a period beginning millions of years ago and running through to the modern era.

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8 Anybody who feels the cold and damp is robbing them of their usual bounce should consider a visit to the Link Centre - www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/swindon/the-link-centre - in West Swindon. In addition to its popular trampoline park, which caters for people of all experience levels, the centre offers many other sports and a wel-equipped gym.

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9 Swindon Karting Arena - karting-swindon.co.uk - at Hangar C2, Wroughton airfield has one of the longest indoor tarmac tracks and caters for people of all skill levels from nervous novices to confident competitors. It is a favourite among families, corporate team-builders and celebration organisers alike. The website has details of the various experiences and deals available.

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10 The Oasis Leisure Centre - www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/swindon/oasis-leisure-centre-swindon - at North Star is best known for its pool, which was extensively renovated earlier this year, but also offers everything from a gym to table tennis.

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