As Spring begins, now is the time to keep an eye on the government’s roadmap for reopening everything in England and easing the current COVID-19 restrictions.
April, May and June 2021 will see us moving gradually out of lockdown with more and more things to do and places to visit opening each month.
That means now is the perfect time to start planning your future trip to Swindon and Wiltshire for spring or summer 2021!
Wiltshire is the place to discover timeless England. Beautiful open landscapes and big, expansive skies. Pretty, picturesque villages filled with charming cottages. Ancient, mysterious standing stones. Historic market towns. Exciting attractions. Luxurious hotels. Cosy pubs.
Swindon is Wiltshire’s biggest town and a real go-to destination in its own right. High on any visitors’ list should be STEAM Museum of the GWR, Lydiard Park House and Estate, Coate Water, the Designer Outlet, The Brunel Swindon shopping centre and Old Town for independent retailers and restaurants.
And if you’re not sure exactly what the rules mean for your next family holiday to Wiltshire, here’s what the latest roadmap steps mean for planning your upcoming getaway:
Beginning on 12 April, self-catering accommodation for one household can open in England. While international travel will still be prohibited at this point, this is the time people living in England can visit us here in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Outdoor attractions such as zoos and gardens can open as well as all shops and some limited indoor leisure facilities like spas, gyms and swimming pools.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes will also now be able to serve food and drink to customers outside (with table service only) so we can expect to see the return of Wiltshire’s lovely beer gardens, courtyard cafes and alfresco restaurants from mid-April.
From 17 May, attractions such as museums, stately homes and galleries will be able to reopen. Indoor hospitality (that’s pubs, restaurants, cafes and similar) will also be able to reopen, offering table service only.
Likewise, all remaining holiday accommodation will be able to open – this will include hotels, B&Bs and campsites with shared facilities here in Swindon and Wiltshire. Outdoor entertainment will be allowed up to a limit of 30 people. At this stage, 6 people or two households will be able to meet indoors – which means you can book a holiday away with a small group of friends or family.
Beginning on 21 June (the Summer Solstice) at the earliest, all legal limits on social contact will be lifted here in Wiltshire and the rest of the UK. Nightclubs and other large events will be allowed to open, including festivals.
We're Good to Go
Businesses across Swindon have been busy implementing new safety standards and hygiene processes so that they are ready to welcome you back when they open this spring or summer. Look out for businesses across Wiltshire that have been given the official We’re Good to Go mark, signifying that they have followed Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and have a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
As we move out of lockdown and more places to visit are open, keep an eye on visit.swindon.org.uk for all the latest news on things to do and places to go.