After being praised for its virtual tour during the March lockdown, STEAM has announced that it has been recognised as a 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award winner.

The winners of this award are known for consistently good reviews on TripAdvisor, and STEAM has been placed in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

This new recognition comes after the museum has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the past five years.

STEAM aims to tell the story of the men and women who built and operated the Great Western Railway.

Frances Yeo, STEAM Museum Manager, said: “We are immensely proud to have been awarded TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award. We are committed to offering our visitors a great experience at STEAM, and we would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to review the museum.

“Although STEAM was closed earlier in the year due to coronavirus, our staff worked hard on digital engagement projects to offer virtual experiences for Swindon residents and fans of the GWR worldwide.

“We are now pleased to be welcoming visitors back to the museum in person, and it has been great to see people enjoying our displays once again, including our two brand new special exhibitions: ‘Flying High’ and ‘On the Buses’.”

Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at TripAdvisor, said: “Winners of the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition.

“Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for travellers as the world begins to venture out again.”

Cllr Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, said: “STEAM brings the story of Swindon’s railway history to life through reconstructions, imaginative displays and the opportunity to see impressive GWR locomotives up-close.

“This is STEAM’s first TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, and puts our town on the map for a very positive reason. It is a fantastic achievement for the museum and shows that all of the efforts of staff and the Council’s investment in the museum has been worthwhile.

“The new COVID-19 safety measures have been well received by visitors. Families can now safely enjoy STEAM once again and please remember to pre-book your tickets online.”

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