Swindon

1280px Swindon town centre, taken from Radnor Street Cemetery, Spring 2012 - Swindon town centre, viewed from Radnor Street Cemetery

Swindon is a large town in Wiltshire, in southern England, with a population of roughly 200,000 people. It doesn't have very much to offer from a historical perspective, although it does have a great deal of legacy from the British railway system in which it played a central part during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Swindon Halal Travel Guide

The town began its existence as a Saxon village, and it is likely that its name is derived from the Saxon words 'sfruit cocktail dun' or 'swines down' 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 and 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.

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.

Travel to Swindon

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Swindon

Swindon is served by international airports in the south of the United Kingdom. For travellers coming directly to Swindon and the following airports are most convenient:

Airport	Car	Public Transport
Heathrow Airport (IATA Code: LHR)	1 hour 10 minutes via the M4 motorway	1 hour and 25 minutes using National Express coach service NX403
Bristol Airport (IATA Code: BRS)	1 hour 10 minutes via Bristol downtown and the M32 motorway and the M4 motorway	1 hour and 20 minutes, using the shuttle bus to Bristol Temple Meads train station and the train to Swindon thereafter.
Southampton Airport (IATA Code: SOU)	1 hour 10 minutes via the M3 motorway and the A34 and the M4 motorway	1 hour and 15 minutes by train, via Reading train station. Arrival points involving greater travel durations include London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, Bournemouth Airport, Birmingham Airport and Cardiff Airport. By Rail eHalal has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom. Swindon has one train station, in the centre of the town - Swindon station GPS 51.5656,-1.7854}}. It is on Station Road, immediately north of the town centre, and offers four platforms for arrivals and departures. From London and the South East of England - Swindon has a direct rail connection to London Paddington, a major railway terminus in Central London, a short distance north of Hyde Park. Services from Paddington take roughly 1 hour to reach Swindon, travelling via Reading (the halfway point of the journey). Some services also call at Didcot Parkway. From South Wales and the West Country - Services arriving into Swindon from the west originate at a number of stations, such as Swansea, Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads. From Gloucestershire and the West Midlands - Arrivals from Kemble, Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester. Travel on a Bus in Swindon National Express Coaches are available from the central bus station. Tickets can be purchased from the bus station office for all major cities and airports (bus transfers may apply - visit the website for more information). By car Driving along the M4, take junction 15 or 16 into Swindon. There are no direct Park and Ride depots near the junctions, one is available is entering Swindon via Wroughton (traveling from Devises or Avebury) National Park and Ride Directory]. Get Around GPS 51.5757|-1.7887 By foot The town centre is small enough to walk through on foot, as is the shopping areas of Old Town and the Great Western Designer Outlet Village and 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 and the Railway Village and the Wyvern Theatre and the civic council offices and central Public Library and the Swindon Hydro Centre and the main bus station and the train station, and some hotels. Travel on a Bus in Swindon Swindon has an extensive local bus network, with the vast majority of routes radiating outward from the town centre (either from the bus station or the Fleming Way bus stands). The two main bus operators in the town are Thamesdown Transport and Stagecoach West]. A full list of routes can be found at the Swindon Borough Council bus information website] How to travel around Swindon on a bicycle ? Swindon has extensive support for bikes, with paths following major roads split between pedestrians and cycles. For more detailed information about cycle routes to and from Swindon, see the SwindonWeb Cycle Route website]. By car The road network in Swindon is comprehensively signposted. To get from one side of Swindon to the other, local residents have the option of driving through town, or jumping on the motorway from junction 15 to 16. This method of getting across Swindon has been somewhat superseded by the almost unused link between Drove Road/Wroughton and the Rushy Platt junction. Magic Roundabout Schild db - The Magic Roundabout One of the major attractions when driving around Swindon is the Magic Roundabout, named after the 1960s television show. This sprawling junction contains five mini-roundabouts, each situated around a bigger, but less obvious, central counter-clockwise roundabout (which houses a very bright street light for night driving). Each mini-roundabout has three junctions, two leading on to the next and previous mini-roundabout, and one acting as an entry/exit junction. Many visitors are immediately intimidated by local drivers who use it proficiently, but the local secret is to treat each mini-roundabout as normal, rather than looking at the daunting mass of concrete and cars. What to See Cotswold Water Park - 51.651944, -1.9575 - The United Kingdom's largest water park has over 150 lakes which were formed by filling old gravel quarries. It is about mile 8 north-west of Swindon and offers many water sports and activities. Museums Steam: The Great Western Railway Museum - Steam Museum | Fire Fly Ave, SN2 2EY 51.56280, -1.79476 Follow directions to the Designer Outlet Village and then pickup signs to Steam ☎ +44 1793 466637 | Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 5PM every day except Christmas (check website) Adults £8, Children £6 King George V pulling the Bristolian Museum of the Great Western Railway The museum is 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 Great Western Designer Outlet Village and the National Trust Headquarters, so anyone in the family who doesn't want to visit the museum has plenty of other options. Museum of Computing Swindon - 6-7 Theatre Plaza, SN1 1QN 51.55942, -1.78095 ☎ +44 7834 375628 | Opening Hours: Friday 10AM Monday - 4PM, Saturday 9:30AM Monday - 5PM Adults £2, children £1 Museum of Computing Educational museum with excellent collections of what are now antique computers and games consoles. Guided Tours in Swindon by ehalal.io (email for prices) depending on number of visitors. The museum has even been visited by Google Street View: Web: Swindon Museum - Bath Road, SN1 4BA 51.5527, -1.7777 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday 2PM Monday - 5PM Free - Swindon Museum Interesting displays on local history, geology and archaeology. It is run by the local council. Wroughton Science Museum - Red Barn Gate 51.509891, -1.811267 ☎ +44 1793 846222 - - Science Museum at Wroughton Science Museum entrance - Just outside Swindon on the old RAF Wroughton Airfield and the science museum features display on science and engineering topics. Galleries Swindon Art Gallery - Bath Road, SN1 4BA 51.552716, -1.777717 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday 2PM Monday - 5PM Admission is free - Swindon Art Gallery - Very important collection of 20th-century British art and includes works by Henry Moore and L.S. Lowry. Architecture Railway Village - 51.56149, -1.79101 A remnant of Swindon's past glory involving Brunel and the steam railways and these three rows of houses are Grade II listed gems, hidden away between the train station and the Great Western Designer Outlet Village and Swindon central shopping plaza. Although the cottages are still private property and the streets have public access; and the two pubs in the center of the village (the Glue Pot and the Cricketers) serve local ale and food, from lunch time until late. Former Great Western Railway Works Now turned into the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet shopping centre, it features architectural and mechanical reminders of days gone by. Renault Distribution Centre, designed by Sir Norman Foster. Although the building is now owned by Spectrum, it is still popularly called "the Renualt building" by Swindonians. Similar in design is the Link Centre, a sports and leisure centre in the west of Swindon, opposite Shaw Ridge Leisure Park. Wood Street, Old Town. This features original 17th-century buildings, modernised with shop fronts, restaurants. Considered a more upper class area than the current centre of Swindon, it is an "Access Only" street. Parks and woodland Town Gardens Queen’s Park Lawns Park Faringdon Road Park Lydiard Country Park Coate Water Country Park Hagbourne Copse Shaw Forest Park Peatmoor Lagoon Mouldon Hill Country Park What to Do Festivals Festival of Literature | Opening Hours: May (annual) Created in the early 1990s, this event is for those who enjoy readings, poetry and talks from a wide range of authors, performers and speakers. Highlights from previous years include Sir David Attenborough, Will Self, Richard Dawkins, and the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir John Major. Film Festival | Hosted at a number of venues Opening Hours: March (annual) £5 (£4 for concessions) 10-day programme showcasing the latest independent films from Britain and abroad. Mela | Town Gardens, Old Town Opening Hours: August (annual) Free A celebration of Indian culture. Old Town Festival | Various locations in Old Town Opening Hours: June (annual) Swindon and Wiltshire Pride| Town Gardens, Old Town Opening Hours: August (annual) Free The main annual event in Wiltshire. Accessible and free for all to attend. Shuffle | Opening Hours: August (annual) Music festival packed with upcoming and established bands from Swindon and the wider region. Sporting events Watch football ie soccer at Swindon Town - The County Ground, County Road SN1 2ED 51.56445, -1.77102 - Swindon Town F.C. "The Robins" play in League Two and the fourth tier of English football. Other Activities Jungle Parc | Lydiard Park, West Swindon, SN5 3PA Adventure park in the 'tree-tops', with zip lines, rope bridges and cargo nets. Aimed at children 3yrs or over. Swindon & Cricklade Railway | Blunsdon Station, Tadpole Lane, SN25 2DA - Child £5, senior £6, adult £7, family (two adults + two children) £20. Standard gauge legacy railway located on a portion of the former Midland & South West Junction Railway (M&SWJR). Rides are available on carriages hauled by steam and diesel locomotives. The line is operated by a dedicated team of volunteers, with the track length increasing year on year. Swindon Karting | Hanger C2, Area 1, Hackpen Lane, Wroughton Airfield, SN4 0QJ ☎ +44 1793 814340 - From £40 per driver Based in a hangar at the former RAF Wroughton airfield, you can race on a 550-metre indoor track using a 270cc go-kart. ATBShop Skate Warehouse - Unit 1 Newcombe Drive, Swindon SN2 1DZ, England 51.56647, -1.79321 ☎ +44 1793 523244 - Enclosed skate park for children - let your kids skate in safety! protective clothing and equipment hire available, events and partys available for booking. Oasis Leisure Centre - North Star Avenue, SN2 1EP 51.567, -1.791 ☎ +44 1793 507110 | Opening Hours: Monday - F: 6:30AM Monday - 10PM, Saturday: 8AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday: 8AM Monday - 7PM Oasis Leisure Centre Oasis leisure centre - - 312533 - - Concert hall and leisure centre with a swimming pool, waterslides and rapids of which the band Oasis took its name. Muslim Friendly Shopping in 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 roughly 300 m from the train station. Brunel Centre - SN1 1LF 51.560771, -1.786392 - It is ccessible from Canal Walk, anf comprises a two-storey indoor shopping area. 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. kilometers 1.1 south-east of the town centre is Old Town. McArthurglen Swindon Designer Outlet - Kemble Dr, SN2 2DY 51.562513, -1.797847 ☎ +44 1793 507600 | Opening Hours: Monday - F: 10AM Monday - 8PM, Saturday: 9AM Monday - 7PM, Sunday: 10AM Monday - 6PM Further afield are Greenbridge Retail Park and the West Swindon Shopping Centre and the Orbital Retail Park. These are accessible from the town centre by bus, taxi or car. Greenbridge Retail Park - Drakes Way, Greenbridge SN3 3EY 51.571368, -1.75253 ☎ +44 1793 619918 - Opening from Monday to Saturday: 8AM Monday - 10PM, Sunday: 10AM Monday - 6PM West Swindon Shopping Centre - Tewkesbury Way, SN5 7DL 51.558668, -1.828907 ☎ +44 1793 872987 | Opening Hours: Monday - F: 7AM Monday - 10PM, Saturday: 7AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday: 10AM Monday - 4PM Orbital Retail Park - Thamesdown Drive, SN25 4AN 51.597789, -1.807258 ☎ +44 1793 726636 Halal Restaurants in Swindon There are plenty different types of places to choose from, including traditional English and Irish pubs, Chinese and Indian restaurants, and cafés. Los Gatos - The tapas bar | 1-3 Devizes Road - GPS: At top of hill in Old Town ☎ +44 1793 488450 | Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 11PM A real, independently-owned Spanish tapas bar which uses fresh ingredients. Always busy and good atmosphere. Jewel in the Crown | 14-16 Victoria Road ☎ +44 1793 522687 - Indian restaurant in Old Town. For really good Halal restaurants it is advised you head out of town into the nationside a bit, however several of the more popular pubs are: The Glue Pot - 5 Emlyn Plaza ☎ +44 1793 523935 - Probably one of the better places to find good real ale in Swindon. They also have a large and constantly changing selection of ciders. Groves Company Inn | 22/23 Fleet Street - The ubiquitous Wetherspoons: Cheap no atmosphere. The Victoria Pub | Victoria Hill - 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. The Old Bank | 18 Wood Street, Swindon - The Old Bank comprises a and brasserie on the ground floor and on the upper floors, bar areas. McKenzies Bar | Wood Street - Reasonable bar; food served. Longs Bar - Reasonable bar with good drinks selection, conservatory and outdoor areas. The Hop Inn - Devizes Road, Swindon Old Town ☎ +44 1793 976833 | Opening Hours: noon-midnight Small, friendly, independent bar serving real ales and craft soft drinks. Beer list changes very frequently. Crisps, etc., but no kitchen. eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Swindon Swindon - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Swindon, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Swindon. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Swindon and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Swindon. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Swindon. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSwindon: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Swindon. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Swindon: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Swindon, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Swindon. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Swindon, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Swindon, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Swindon and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Swindon, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Swindon, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Swindon without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Swindon is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Swindon. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Swindon is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Swindon, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Swindon Media: info@ehalal.io Muslim Friendly Hotels The hotel sector in Swindon has seen increased growth in the past decade as the town continues to urbanise and establish itself as a base for tourism in the centre of southern England. Town centre 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. Holiday Inn Express | Bridge Street, SN1 1BT ☎ +44 1793 602001 +44 1793 602001 Jurys Inn | Fleming Way, SN1 2NG ☎ +44 1793 445600 Travelodge - Princes Way, Princes Street, SN1 2SF ☎ +44 8719 846328 +44 1793 496727 }} Bed & Breakfasts can be found on Manchester Road and County Road. West Swindon 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. De Vere Village | Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Whitehill Way, SN5 7DW ☎ +44 8712 224620 +44 8712 224619 DoubleTree - Hilton Hotel | Lydiard Fields, Great Western Way, SN5 8UZ ☎ +44 1793 881777 Holiday Inn Express | Frankland Road, Blagrove, SN5 8UD ☎ +44 1793 818800 +44 1793 818888 Premier Inn | Great Western Way, SN5 8UB ☎ +44 8715 279068 +44 8715 279069 Old Town The pace of life in Old Town is much slower due to its distance from the train station and town centre. However and there is one large hotel Marriott Hotel | Pipers Way, SN3 1SH ☎ +44 1793 512121 +44 1793 513114 Bed & Breakfast accommodation can be found on Bath Road and Victoria Road. Goddard Arms - 1 High Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 3EG, England Elsewhere Other places to sleep include: Mercure South Marston Hotel - Old Vicarage Lane, South Marston 51.58891, -1.71940 from Exit M4 (J15) and follow A419 to Cirencester, straight over roundabout and then take exit on left signposted Oxford (A420), turn right at next two roundabouts, stay on A420, cross the roundabout, pass the police station on left, pass the Esso garage on left, hotel is next turning on left, signposted to South Marston ☎ +44 1793 833700 - From £55 Hotel just outside Swindon with fully equipped gym, 23-m indoor swimming pool, and a health and beauty spa. Special Spa Break from £75 per person for one night including three-course dinner, full English breakfast and choice of beauty treatment. Stanton House Hotel | The Avenue, Stanton Fitzwarren, Swindon SN6 7SD ☎ +44 870 084 1388 - Cotswold stone house overlooking Stanton Lake and park just outside Swindon. Mt. Fuji Yakiniku-style Japanese restaurant is on the grounds of the hotel, and the hotel also hosts a Japanese market from time to time. News & References Swindon Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Swindon Whitehorse Hill, Uffington, Wantage|Vale of White Horse Head towards Cirencester, Bath, Bristol, Salisbury (England)|Salisbury or Reading (England)|Reading Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd. To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.