FAQs and Guidelines

Address: Town Gardens, Swindon, SN1 4EX

The main entrance to the park is on Westlecot Road and two entrances on Quarry Road. There are also two rear entrances through The Quarries and Goddard Avenue.

For evening events at the Bowl, you will exit through the two Quarry Road entrances. Please find the opening times for the park here: Town Gardens opening times 2024

You can purchase tickets online through the “What’s On” page on this website.

Tickets can be purchased up to 4 hours before the performance starts.
There will be tickets available on the door, subject to availability.  Please check our social media or website on the day if you are wishing to purchase a ticket on the door – there will be notices if an event has sold out on these platforms.

Customers who are wheelchair users or are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or who have a Certificate Of Visual Impairment, are able to reserve a complimentary companion ticket.  In order to claim this ticket, one full price ticket (adult, child, student) must have already been purchased and proof of this purchase, along with proof of receipt of the above, must be emailed to tickets@southswindon-pc.gov.uk ahead of the performance.
Our tickets labelled ‘in receipt of certain benefits’ apply to those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Working and Child Tax Credits, Pension Credit or Income Support – these tickets are able to be purchased through our website directly.

Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase unless the event is cancelled, abandoned, rescheduled or where there is a material change to the event. For more information, please see our Refunds and Returns Policy.

Please note: The Town Gardens Bowl is a card only venue.

This is an outdoor performance venue and surfaces may be uneven. Step-free access to the Bowl is via a slope from the Bandstand and through the Sunken Garden. There will be signage and members on staff on site to help guide you.  Should you have any access-related questions ahead of the performance please get in touch with our Events Team on tickets@southswindon-pc.gov.uk

Doors will open one hour before the performance starts.

Upon arrival at the Town Gardens Bowl, please have your valid ticket ready for check in.

As per standard UK licensing laws, event staff/security reserve the right to refuse you entry and/or eject you from the venue, including but not limited to any of the following reasons:

– if, in the staff’s opinion, you are acting under the influence of drugs or the excessive influence of alcohol;

– if you use abusive, threatening or insulting words or actions, or if you behave in a manner that could affect the enjoyment of other attendees;

– if you refuse to comply with any event staff’s security searches or any other reasonable requests.

Event staff will be operating under the Challenge 25 policy during our events, so please don’t be offended if we ask you for ID.

If you are drinking alcohol then please do so responsibly, knowing your limits, and those of your friends. Pace yourself, drink plenty of water and soft drinks in between alcoholic drinks – especially if it is a hot day. If you are concerned that someone requires assistance due to excessive drinking please speak to a member of staff who can assist.

Drugs are no less illegal at our events than anywhere else in society and dealing in or use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Anyone found to be using or selling illegal drugs in the park will be removed and authorities notified if necessary.

As per standard UK licensing laws you need to be 18+ to purchase and/or consume alcohol and bar staff reserve the right to refuse to serve alcohol to anyone appearing to have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol or anyone unable to provide proof of identification and age when requested (acceptable proof of identification is a current Passport or a current Drivers Licence, including Provisional Licences).

Customers can bring their own food and soft drinks, but no alcohol or glass is permitted to be brought in from outside the venue – there is a licensed bar inside the Bowl.
To help keep the event clean, tidy and enjoyable for everyone please use the general waste and recycling bin provided onsite.
Please do not bring any glass bottles or containers onsite.

Please remember to bring your tickets if attending an event.  If you have any questions regarding your tickets, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Events Team on tickets@southswindon-pc.gov.uk

Please feel free to bring a picnic and come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.  Chairs, picnics, blankets and any other low level accessories are welcome.  There are chairs available to use at the Bowl, but audience members are welcome to bring their own chairs, if they would prefer.

Please bring your own coats and umbrellas and wear appropriate footwear and clothing, if there is a chance of rain. Our events will go ahead in most weathers as long as the ground is safe.

By attending our events you give your express consent for you/your likeness to be included in any film/video, photography and/or audio recording that can be used by South Swindon Parish Council or the event organisers in any and all media for any purpose at any time throughout the world (including on social media), and the copyright of which is owned by South Swindon Parish Council.

Parents/Guardians will be asked to sign a consent form to give permission for use of images where children can be easily identified. This is to comply with the Parish Council’s safeguarding policy.

Customers who are wheelchair users or are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or who have a Certificate Of Visual Impairment, are able to reserve a complimentary companion ticket.  In order to claim this ticket, one full price ticket (adult, child, student) must have already been purchased and proof of this purchase, along with proof of receipt of the above, must be emailed to tickets@southswindon-pc.gov.uk ahead of the performance.

Limited parking for Blue Badge holders is available at The Trees Nursery on Quarry Road (SN1 4EN).

The Town Gardens and Bowl are fully accessible with ramping to all areas, although please be aware that some areas can be uneven and due caution should be used when navigating the park and Bowl.

For the majority of our events, children under 2 years old do not require a ticket for admission.  However, for some performances that are aimed at young children, children under 2 will require their own ticket – please check the individual event listing for information on this.

Our Family ticket covers 2 Adults and 2 Under 16s.

No dogs are allowed into the Bowl at any time, with the exception of Assistance dogs which must be clearly identified as working (including guide dogs, emotional support dogs, hearing dogs, dogs’ for the Disabled and dogs for teaching purposes by the Animal Welfare and Veterinary Nursing Team).

Dogs are allowed in the wider park area on a lead but are not allowed in the Bowl area if you are attending an event.

If you have any specific questions, please contact eventsofficer@southswindon-pc.gov.uk