Health Hydro historical tour and update on phase 1 works
Health Hydro, Faringdon Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 5JA
Join us for a tour of the Health Hydro, a rare opportunity to see inside this unique building during its first phase of refurbishment.
Built by the Great Western Railway Medical Fund in 1891, this Grade II* listed building has a fascinating social history. Set up as a cooperative, workers contributed to its upkeep and, in return, received free treatment when they needed it. The first sustained experiment in socialised health care was so revolutionary for the time that it was visited and adopted by Nye Bevan and William Beveridge, architects of the National Health Service. After visiting, Bevan reportedly said “There it was, a complete health service. All we had to do was to expand it to embrace the whole country.”
This is an opportunity to see the inside the building and learn more about the current refurbishment project, which seeks to sensitively modernise the facilities and restore the purpose of the place. The tour will include a Health and Safety induction, update on the phase 1 project, and a presentation on the important history of this building, its links to the Railway Village and its national significance as a pioneering health offer, emblematic of Swindon’s motto: Salubritas Et Industria (Health and Industry).
Please note numbers are limited and spaces are allocated on a strictly first-come-first-served basis to people who have not attended other public tours since March 2023. Be advised that access is restricted, with uneven floor surfaces.
Timings & Tours
- Tuesday 16 September:
- 1300 AND 1500
Location & directions
Health Hydro, Faringdon Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 5JA
- Directions:
- Note, the tour will start from Faringdon Road – NOT the former leisure entrance on Milton Road.
- Contact on day:
- Ruth Pritchard
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- To book a place email Ruth Pritchard at: [email protected]
- Booking contact name:
- Ruth Pritchard
- Booking telephone number:
- +447769291727
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking closes:
- 11 Sep 2025 05:00 PM
Accessibility details
• This is an active construction site. Surfaces may be uneven and there will be limited opportunities to sit down during the tour.
Additional information
Please note: • All attendees will be required to wear PPE (provided on site) at all times. This will include: gloves, a hard hat, hi-vis jacket and steel toe-capped boots, all of which will be provided. Please confirm your shoe size when signing up. • Please note that, for safety reasons, legs must be fully covered i.e. long trousers (no shorts, skirts or dresses – tights are not acceptable). Anyone whose legs are not fully covered may not be able to take part. • The tour will last for approximately 1-1.5 hour(s). • We cannot allow photos to be taken during the tour;
- Max no of people per tour:
- 12
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
