Swindon
Discover Swindon
Swindon is a large town in Wiltshire, south west England, that is known for its railway-town heritage and links with the British railway system in which it played a central part during the 19th and 20th centuries. Swindon hosts a railway museum in a restored railway works building, and a volunteer-run heritage railway Swindon has a fast-growing population of around 220,000 in its urban area in 2021, making it one of the largest towns in the UK to be without city status. Swindon is known for being a regional centre for business, and is home to many technological and pharmaceutical companies, as well as having national headquarters for international companies Nationwide, Intel, and Zurich. The town is also a regional retail and leisure hub of which it boasts several facilities.
Taste of Swindon...
There aren't many types of places to choose from, mainly Indian restaurants and a few non decent pubs here and there. For really good pubs it is advised you head out of town into the countryside a bit, however several of the more popular pubs are: The hotel sector in Swindon has seen increased growth with housing asylum seekers in the past decade as the town continues to urbanise and establish itself as a base for tourism in the centre of southern England. For many years there was only one hotel in the town centre but competition arrived and there are now three main players, with more rumoured to be on the way. This increased competition benefits you, with reduced room rates on offer. Bed & Breakfasts can be found on Manchester Road and County Road. Another cluster of hotels can be found in West Swindon, a convenient stopover point due to the proximity of the M4 motorway at Junction 16. The pace of life in Old Town is much slower due to its distance from the railway station and town centre. However, there is one large hotel: Bed & Breakfast accommodation can be found on Bath Road and Victoria Road.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Swindon into what it is today.
The town began its existence as a Saxon village, and it is likely that its name is derived from the Saxon words swine dun or swines down, possibly meaning "pig hill". The small hilltop village subsequently expanded around the site of a quarry, with a 19th-century canal facilitating trade. During the mid-19th century, the introduction of the Great Western Railway and the associated railway works fully transformed Swindon from a village into a thriving industrial town, which drew workers from across the United Kingdom. The older settlement on top of the hill remained independent until 1900, when it was annexed by the newer industrial town. Today it is known as Old Town and still retains a somewhat separate feel. Swindon experienced a population boom after World War II. New housing areas were built due to a shortage of housing in London following the mass destruction caused by the war. This population growth has continued and the town remains one of the fastest growing urban areas in the United Kingdom and Europe. Swindon is served by international airports in the south of the United Kingdom. For travellers coming directly to Swindon, the following airports are most convenient: Arrival points involving greater travel times include London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, Bournemouth Airport, Birmingham Airport and Cardiff Airport. Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain 51.5656-1....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Swindon.
Swindon town centre contains the main retail core of the town, primarily served by four pedestrianised shopping streets (Bridge Street, Regent Street, Canal Walk and The Parade). The shops are around 150 m from the bus station and approximately 300 m from the railway station. At the end of western end of Canal Walk is the Swindon’s Tented Market Two shopping destinations exist within walking distance of the town centre. 0.8 km west of the town centre is the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Europe's largest indoor designer outlet in the unique setting of restored Victorian railway engineering buildings. 1.1 km (0.68 mi) south-east of the town centre is Old Town. Further afield are Greenbridge Retail Park, the West Swindon Shopping Centre and the Orbital Retail Park. These are accessible from the town centre by bus, taxi or car. There aren't many types of places to choose from, mainly Indian restaurants and a few non decent pubs here and there.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSwindon is served by international airports in the south of the United Kingdom. For travellers coming directly to Swindon, the following airports are most convenient: Arrival points involving greater travel times include London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, Bournemouth Airport, Birmingham Airport and Cardiff Airport. Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain 51.5656-1.78541 Swindon railway station (immediately north of the town centre). Is on Station Road with four platforms. (updated Oct 2023) National Express Coaches are available from the Fleming Way bus interchange, and FlixBus Coaches are available from Regent Circus. Services from both operators connect Swindon with London Victoria, Heathrow Airport, and Gloucester. If you are travelling to or from Oxford, there is no direct train service....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The town centre is small enough to walk through on foot, as are the shopping areas of Old Town, the Great Western Designer Outlet Village, the Orbital Retail Park and the Shaw Ridge Leisure Park & West Swindon Shopping Centre. Although it is a great way of seeing Swindon, it is not recommended as most attractions are more than 45 minutes walk from the centre of the town - it is advisable to travel by bus. The attractions within 15 minutes walk of the town centre include the Steam Museum, the Railway Village, the Wyvern Theatre, the civic council offices and central Public Library, the Swindon Hydro Centre, the main bus station, the railway station, and some hotels. Swindon has an extensive local bus network, with the vast majority of routes radiating outward from the Fleming Way bus interchange in the town centre. The two main bus operators in the town are Swindon's Bus Company and Stagecoach West. Full route details for all operators can be found on the Swindon's Bus Company website.
Where to Stay
The hotel sector in Swindon has seen increased growth with housing asylum seekers in the past decade as the town continues to urbanise and establish itself as a base for tourism in the centre of southern England. For many years there was only one hotel in the town centre but competition arrived and there are now three main players, with more rumoured to be on the way. This increased competition benefits you, with reduced room rates on offer. Bed & Breakfasts can be found on Manchester Road and County Road. Another cluster of hotels can be found in West Swindon, a convenient stopover point due to the proximity of the M4 motorway at Junction 16. The pace of life in Old Town is much slower due to its distance from the railway station and town centre. However, there is one large hotel: Bed & Breakfast accommodation can be found on Bath Road and Victoria Road.
Money & Budget
Swindon town centre contains the main retail core of the town, primarily served by four pedestrianised shopping streets (Bridge Street, Regent Street, Canal Walk and The Parade). The shops are around 150 m from the bus station and approximately 300 m from the railway station. At the end of western end of Canal Walk is the Swindon’s Tented Market Two shopping destinations exist within walking distance of the town centre. 0.8 km west of the town centre is the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Europe's largest indoor designer outlet in the unique setting of restored Victorian railway engineering buildings. 1.1 km (0.68 mi) south-east of the town centre is Old Town. Further afield are Greenbridge Retail Park, the West Swindon Shopping Centre and the Orbital Retail Park.