• Swindon & Wiltshire Events
• Friday August 14 2026

Energy efficiency no longer a ‘nice to have’ as bills spiral, says NSBRC

Top-rate energy performance is “no longer a niche ambition” in an age of spiralling energy bills, according to the UK’s only permanent venue dedicated to independent homebuilding, self-build and renovation advice and support, which is based in Swindon.

The flagship event of Swindon’s National Self Build & Renovation Centre – a one-stop shop for anyone planning to build their own home, undertake a major renovation or retrofit an existing property to cut energy bills and carbon emissions – returns to the venue in October.

The National Self Build & Renovation Show takes place on Friday and Saturday October 9 and 10, running from 9am to 5pm each day at its Lydiard Fields site just off Junction 16 of the M4.

The show brings together a wide range of specialist exhibitors under one roof, covering everything from architectural design, planning, and structural systems to insulation, renewable technologies and interior finishes.

Visitors can walk through full-size building system demonstrations, compare modern methods of construction and get face-to-face advice from architects, engineers, energy assessors and self-build specialists.

With energy costs and tighter building regulations pushing more households towards high-performance homes, the centre is using the October show to spotlight Passivhaus and other fabric-first approaches.

NSBRC staff describe the standard as “no longer a niche ambition” and say the event will help people understand how early design choices on airtightness, insulation and ventilation translate into lower running costs and more comfortable living spaces.

Entry to the National Self Build & Renovation Show is free, with no need to book in advance. The centre is open six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday), but the October 9–10 show is being billed as a concentrated burst of expert-led guidance and supplier contact in one weekend.

For those at the early stages of a project, organisers recommend allowing several hours to explore the exhibits, attend informal talks and line up one-to-one conversations with potential design and build partners.

For free tickets visit https://www.nsbrc.co.uk/whats-on/our-events/