Town Gardens Bowl Redevelopment
The Town Gardens Bowl is a unique 1930s art-deco open-air venue in the heart of Swindon. South Swindon Parish Council is looking to preserve this asset for future generations.
The art deco Bowl in the Town Gardens opened in 1936 and is thought to be the last of its type surviving in the country. Over the years it has hosted a wide variety of outdoor performances, events and festivals, but now the fabric of the Bowl and its back-stage facilities have become rundown and is in urgent need of refurbishment if they are to remain in use.
Our Vision
The multi-phase redevelopment project aims to restore the Bowl to its former glory and enhance its facilities to meet modern standards. Plans include:
- Restoring the structure to a modern standard that can be used by future generations.
- Improving accessibility with upgraded entrances and pathways.
- Constructing new backstage facilities including new dressing rooms, toilets, a kitchen and other amenities.
- Beyond the physical revitalization, the redevelopment seeks to elevate the overall visitor experience and allow the Bowl to host a wider range of events.
Preserving a Piece of History
The art-deco style Bowl opened in 1936 and is one of only a handful of this type in the country. It is an amazing architectural feature and was restored in 1994 to celebrate the Gardens centenary year. The Bowl originally included in the design a small rockery / water cascade with an ornamental pond at the front (now concreted over). At the entrance to the Bowl arena is an entrance porch with iron turnstiles and brick pillars.
The parish council will look to sympathetically renovate the Bowl and preserve its’ unique character.
A Cornerstone of Community Life
For decades, the Town Gardens Bowl has served as a vibrant hub for community events and activities in Swindon. In the past, the open-air venue has hosted the Old Town Festival, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride and the Mela.
One of the Bowl’s annual community events is the “My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad” Festival. This light-hearted event brings families together for a day of fun and laughter, all while raising vital funds for Prospect Hospice, a local charity providing end-of-life care.
The Bowl has also been a canvas for creative expression, with local theater groups like Prime Theatre utilizing the space for their performing arts workshops in the summer months.
The NHS Great-West-Fest is also held in the Bowl at the end of the summer, which sees the local NHS staff and families come together for a fantastic music concert.
Community Engagement
South Swindon Parish Council invites the community to get involved in this exciting initiative. Further fundraising efforts will be announced soon.
