Swindon
From Wikitravel
Swindon is in Wiltshire, in southern England. It is a mediocre town at best, with almost nothing to offer the tourist (or local), besides run down shopping malls and a surfeit of townies (known locally as "swinnies"). Generally people are advised to head to the much more pleasant towns of Bristol or Bath.
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Understand
This city began its existance 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 dodgy council estates and shopping precincts were added, which quickly dated and are now grimly run down. During the 90s a revamping of the shopping precinct was only half-successful, and the town remains dull and lackluster.
Get in
Car
Driving along the M4, take junctions 15 or 16 into Swindon. There are Park and Ride buses now available. If you are going into the town centre, watch out for the magic roundabout. This is probably what Swindon is most famous for (says it all about the town). 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.
Train
Several trains an hour arrive in Swindon from various directions because Swindon is on the main London Paddington to Bristol line.
Bus
Get around
Foot
The town centre is small enough to walk through on foot.
Bus
Local buses seem to have been infected by the cotswolds with regards to infrequency, but they do exist.
See
- Steam: The Great Western Railway Museum, Kemble Drive, (By car, follow brown tourist signs for the Outlet Centre "Great Western Heritage Area" or "M for STEAM Museum"), 01793 466 646 [1] (http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/). 10am until 5pm. Adults £5.95, Concessions(+Students): £3.95
Do
There is little to do in Swindon. Goto the Cinema (Cineworld or UGC).
Buy
The dull shopping centre has basic shops.
Eat
Drink
For really good pubs it is advised you head out of town into the countryside a bit, however two of the more popular pubs are:
- 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.
Sleep
Get out
Head towards Cirencester, Bath or Bristol for a much more pleasant town.
External links
Official tourist website [2] (http://www.visitswindon.co.uk/)
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