Swindon
Situated between the scenic North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds, Swindon has something for everyone. A town of diversity and contrast with a bustling atmosphere, it offers a wonderful range of leisure, recreational and cultural activities as well as numerous attractions nearby.
Originally a small market town, Swindon was used mainly for barter trade until the mid-1800s. The original Swindon is now known as Old Town - here you can wander through quiet courtyards and alleyways or enjoy a vibrant mix of traditional shops and pubs alongside modern outlets and stylish cafes and bars. With the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1840, a whole new town was created between the new railway works and Swindon Hill, and this is now Swindon's Town Centre.
Along with fantastic transport links (especially by rail), a great selection of schools and the numerous outdoor activities nearby, this is a location that will suit a wide range of buyers.
New Homes in Swindon
Living in Swindon
Shopping trips
The town centre is fully pedestrianised and offers both an indoor and outdoor shopping experience, with many major brands to be found. The Old Town is home to a wealth of mouth-watering eateries, while for a fun day of retail therapy you could visit the McArthur Glen Swindon Designer Outlet, which attracts shoppers from far and wide. Housed within the Grade II listed building of the former Great Western Railway works, the shopping centre boasts more than 90 stores, cafés and restaurants. For an even wider range of shops, Orbital Shopping Park and Greenbridge Retail Park are situated on the outskirts of the town.
Lots to do in the local area
There are plenty of opportunities to stay active in and around Swindon. The Cotswold Water Park, consisting of over 140 lakes, is a renowned conservation area with a large number of waterfowl and wildlife. The lakes are also a popular place for outdoor activities: anglers can fish, water skiers and jet skiers can ski, sailors can sail their yachts and walkers can enjoy miles of countryside walks. Coate Water Country Park is also popular, with its beautiful lake and surrounding green open space. Lydiard Park with its grand house and landscaped gardens, lakes and extensive children’s play area is also a hit with families.
Great transport links
Located just off the M4 motorway, Swindon is within easy reach of London to the east or Wales to the west. The A419, to the east of the town, leads you to attractive Cirencester and Cheltenham just a few miles north, or south through the Marlborough Downs to Salisbury and Southampton.
Swindon train station is one of the principal stations on the First Great Western Line, making it a fantastic choice for rail travel. Regular and speedy services mean London Paddington, Bristol, Bath, Reading and Oxford can all be reached in under an hour, while bus services provide transport to the network of picturesque towns surrounding Swindon.
A good education available for all
There is a strong schooling community within Swindon with a good range of educational facilities. There are numerous nurseries, primary and secondary schools and two colleges, making Swindon an ideal place for families with children of all ages.
Living in Swindon means you get the best of both worlds as you’ll be living close beautiful countryside, yet able to enjoy a thriving town with a fascinating heritage in an excellent position for superb road and rail links.