FOUR buildings in and around the Railway Village will throw open their doors to the public when Swindon takes part in a UK wide celebration of civic pride on June 17.

Civic Day will see organisations around the country lay on activities to celebrate 50 years of conservation areas, providing a wonderful opportunity for Swindonians to admire and enjoy their own unique Railway Village Conservation Area.

Swindon Civic Voice has teamed up with the Mechanics' Institution Trust to hold 'open doors' events at four of the town's prized heritage sites.

The venues include the Health Hydro, the Baker's Arms, the Central Community Centre and the Railway Village Museum.

The Health Hydro, on Milton Road, has been described as the birthplace of the NHS. Since 1892 it has been home to a suite of swimming baths, Turkish baths, doctors’ surgeries and ancillary medical provision; an unmatched offering which was 100 years old when absorbed into the NHS in 1948.

Now a hub of community gatherings and events, the Central Community Centre once served a very different purpose.

From 1872 it was the accident and emergency facility for the Swindon Works, the site of many accidents during the 100 years that followed.

The Railway Village Museum on Faringdon Road was once an ordinary terraced house occupied by the family of a railway worker - now a museum, it provides an unrivalled glimpse in to how the people of Swindon lived around 1900.

After sitting unused for 17 years, it was re-opened for the first time last year to the delight of history and heritage enthusiasts.

The fourth venue, the Baker's Arms in Emlyn Square, is soon to be renovated by the Mechanics' Trust for use as a community cafe.

All the properties are grade two listed. They sit around the iconic Mechanics’ Institution building, seen by many as the jewel in Swindon's crown but sadly neglected over years and now in a state of disrepair.

The derelict nature of the site precludes visitors from going beyond the metal hoardings that now surround it, but displays illustrating its long history will be mounted in the Community Centre for those who wish to learn more.

Printed guides, showing crossing points and featured premises, will be supplied to visitors so they can move about independently, as their curiosity and stamina permit.

Guided tours will be offered at 11am and 3pm, starting from the Central Community Centre in Faringdon Road.

Each of the four ‘open’ venues will offer exhibitions detailing the premises' past, present and future.

From 4pm-5pm tea and cake will be provided at the Central Community Centre, where volunteers will also unveil a quilt celebrating Swindon’s most significant heritage buildings.