Calling all young adventurers - unleash your elemental magic with a thrilling Skandar trail this October half-term at The Brunel Swindon!
The shopping centre is gearing up for action-packed holiday fun (Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026) as it teams up with Swindon Story Shed and the National Literacy Trust to stage an immersive, fantasy-inspired quest based on the bestselling book series by A.F. Steadman.
Aimed at fantasy book lovers and fans of the Skandar series, the interactive trail around The Brunel invites young readers and aspiring heroes to step into the magical, high-stakes world of Steadman’s stories.
The Skandar series, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books follows the journey of the young, eponymous hero, who dreams of becoming a rider to fierce, winged, and bloodthirsty unicorns. Riders wield magic linked to Fire, Water, Air, or Earth - until Skandar discovers his unicorn is secretly bound to a forbidden fifth element: Spirit. Launched in 2022, this bestselling series has captivated young readers, and many adults too, worldwide.
The trail kicks off at the Swindon Story Shed, upstairs in the Brunel, where youngsters will be tasked to solve a riddle linked to one of the five core elements. Each time a riddle is solved, the participants will be given a card, and once all five cards have been successfully collected, trail hunters will return to the Swindon Story Shed to claim their well-earned prize: a copy of one of the Skandarbooks or a super stationery pack*.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Swindon Story Shed and the National Literacy Trust to bring such an imaginative and exciting experience to The Brunel this October half-term,” said a spokesperson for The Brunel Swindon. “The Skandar series has captured the hearts and minds of so many young readers, and we cannot wait to see families explore the centre, solve the riddles, dive into a world of elemental magic, and be rewarded with a really great prize.”
Debi Phillips, of Swindon Story Shed, said: “The team have loved the Skandar series since the very first publisher proof of Book One, with all of its colourful characters, elemental magic, and bloodthirsty unicorns - the island was definitely calling us! We are so excited to be part of this unique quest, and we look forward to meeting all the new unicorn riders this October half term.”
Skandar’s publishers, Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, and the author Annabel Steadman herself are excited about the planned quest.
Annabel commented: “What an absolute joy to see the world of Skandar brought to life in Swindon this half-term. It’s so important to meet children where they are - and with the incredible dream-team of Swindon Story Shed, the National Literacy Trust, and S&S Children’s Books, alongside the enthusiasm of Brunel Shopping Centre, this treasure trail really will inspire so many new readers in the area!”
About the Skandar series by A. F. Steadman
Since first hitting shelves in 2022, Steadman’s blockbusting Skandar series has sold 650,000 copies in the UK (TCM) and over 1.5m copies across the globe. The books have been translated into 48 languages, the series has won and been shortlisted for awards around the world, and in 2026 A.F. Steadman was named Author of the Year at the British Book Awards. Earlier this year Simon & Schuster donated 30,000 Skandar books to the National Literacy Trust and created new editions of the full Skandar series with new character-led Go All In covers to support the National Year of Reading.
*Prizes are first come, first served, while stocks last.
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