• Understand
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Swindon [1] is in Wiltshire, in southern England and has a good nightlife and plenty of things to do.

[edit] Understand

This town began its existence as a Saxon village, and derived its name from the Saxon words swine dun meaning pig hill. It grew when quarrying was begun nearby and canals increased trade, but it was the introduction of the railway in the mid 19th century that transformed Swindon from a village into a town.

In 1952 it was designated a "London overflow city" and the town became a sprawl. In the 60s several council estates and shopping precincts were added, which quickly dated and are now run down. During the 90s a revamping of the shopping precinct was only half-successful and some areas still need regeneration.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Car

Driving along the M4, take junctions 15 or 16 into Swindon. There are Park and Ride buses now available National Park and Ride Directory. If you are going into the town centre, watch out for the magic roundabout. Five roads converge onto the roundabout: At each of these roads is a mini-roundabout which is connected to its neighbours. In the centre is the result of the 5 mini-roundabouts: A mega-roundabout that goes around anti-clockwise (ie the wrong way): A tad scary to travel through, but not as bad as Coventry's ring road.

[edit] Train

Several trains an hour arrive in Swindon from various directions because Swindon is on the main London Paddington to Bristol/Swansea line.

[edit] Bus

National Express Coaches from all Major airports

[edit] Get around

[edit] Foot

The town centre is small enough to walk through on foot.

[edit] Bus

Local buses seem to have been infected by the Cotswolds with regards to infrequency, but they do exist.

Thamsedown runs a good bus service, although prices may be high. But, they are normally on time, especially inner-Swindon buses, buses to outer-Swindon areas are not as reliable.

[edit] See

• There is actually nothing worthwhile to do in Swindon. The city is a series of roundabouts. However, it has been said that there is an inspirational group of freestyle footballers called the BCS Crows that are inspiring the nation's new generation of overweight, sweaty children.

• Swindon Museum, interesting displays on local history, geology and archaeology. Admission is free, Open: M-Sa: 10AM-5PM; Sun: 2PM-5PM.

• Swindon Art Gallery, very important collection of 20th century British Art and includes work by Henry Moore and L.S. Lowry.

Admission is free, Open: Mon-Sat: 10AM-5PM; Sun: 2PM-5PM.

• Steam: The Great Western Railway Museum, Kemble Drive,SN2 2TA. This museum is located in a restored railway works building. The building is a treat in itself. As well as having a wealth of information about the railways, it also is an invaluable source of social history. There are plenty of events for children, and it is right next to the 'Shopping Village' outlet centre, and the National Trust Headquarters, so anyone in the family who doesn't want to visit the museum has plenty of other options. Both the Steam Museum and the National Trust centre have excellent shops and cafes.

Telephone 01793 466646 [Change country code ...] (By car, follow brown tourist signs for the Outlet Centre "Great Western Heritage Area" or "M for STEAM Museum"), 01793 466 646 [2]. 10AM until 5PM. Adults £5.95, Concessions(+Students): £3.95

• BCS Crows, [3] - The legendary football team that are Swindon's equivalent to the Harlem Globetrotters play regular exhibition matches at local venues to inspire the town's youth development scheme. Most games are a sell out and tickets are hard to come by, particularly for the annual Andy Powell Tribute Trophy, a 5 a-side competition that attracts around 400 entries and has been won by BCS Crows for the past 25 years.

• Museum of Computing @ Swindon, educational museum with excellent collections, guided tours and admission is free.

• Wilts & Berks Canal. (See Main Article [4], built between 1795 and 1810 very little of this canal now remains. It's course can be traced by following Canal Street from Kingshill into the town centre but the section between Kingshill Road and the M4 was partially restored a few years ago and is popular wih Dog walkers and cyclists.

• Coate Water [5] was originally built to supply water to the Wilts & Berks Canal but is now a popular country park.

There also many private and public stately Homes and gardens to see in the area, such as Avebury Manor and Garden. [6]

[edit] Do

Swindon is a large town and there are plenty of things to do such as shopping and visiting the town museum and art gallery.

[edit] Buy

McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Europe's largest indoor designer outlet in the unique setting of restored Victorian railway engineering buildings.

[edit] Cinemas

• Cineworld, [7],

[edit] Buy

The town centre has mainly well known high street shops brands.

[edit] Eat

There are plenty different types of places to choose from, including traditional English and Irish pubs, Chinese and Indian restaurants, and cafes and bars.

[edit] Drink

For really good pubs it is advised you head out of town into the countryside a bit, however three of the more popular pubs are:

• Big Fish 20 Fleet Street. An independent, quirky pub with friendly staff - good food too. They recently had a makeover, but it's still a bit dirty. Known locally as 'The Sweaty Fish'.
• The Glue Pot, 5 Emlyn Square (?), 01793 523935. Probably one of the better places to find good real ale in Swindon, although that's not saying much.
• Grove Company Inn 22/23 Fleet Street (?). The ubiquitous Wetherspoons: Cheap beer, no atmosphere.

The Victoria Pub on Victoria Hill is excellent. Great food, a brilliant laugh free pub quiz on Wednesdays which involves snakes and ladders and cheating is encouraged! They are also a great music venue for all types of music encouraging unsigned bands. They also show films and have a great atmosphere.

[edit] Sleep

Many hotels and B&Bs to choose from, Express by Holiday Inn, Hilton Hotel, De Vere Hotel.

[edit] Get out

Head towards Cirencester, Bath, Bristol, Salisbury or Reading.