Car Hire Swindon - Mini guide to Swindon

The largest town in Wiltshire, Swindon is a fast-growing modern town thanks to its M4 location, yet has a well-preserved history heavily-focused on its heyday as home to Brunel’s railway works 150 years ago.

The northern ‘New Town’ area of Swindon is home to pedestrianised shopping centres and the focal point of today’s modern town. The southern Old Town is the most interesting to explore, particularly the ruined Norman ‘Holyrood’ church behind the High Street, a little beyond Market Square with its fine 18th century red-brick Square House.

The Great Western Railway of 1840 made Swindon what it is today, and provides the town’s must-see attraction. Next to the Designer Outlet centre in Kemble Drive is STEAM, the museum dedicated to ’God’s Wonderful Railway’. It tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the railway. While at the museum, take a look at the neighbouring National Monument Records Office, home to the country’s public archive of English Heritage. It provides information on the architecture and archaeology of England and contains over 10 million items, including historic and aerial photographs, maps, plans and drawings.

Leisure options abound. For nightlife, head to the Old Town for a wide range of restaurants, bars and clubs, or for a more cerebral evening, try the town’s Wyvern Theatre, Swindon’s home for the performing arts.

Ten miles south of Swindon is the largest Henge monument in Britain. Avebury is one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe and spread over a vast area. The great stone circle, encompassing part of the village of Avebury, is enclosed by a ditch and external bank and approached by an avenue of stones. The site Museum, including a new exhibition in the 17th-century thatched threshing barn, presents the archaeological story of Avebury.

Swindon is little more than one hour’s drive from Heathrow Airport on the M4 motorway, providing access to most European and World-wide destinations. Train depart hourly from London Paddington station.