ancient ruins
Avebury Stone Circle
Largest prehistoric stone circle in the world, enclosing an entire village and considered by many to be more atmospheric than Stonehenge.
15 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Swindon
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Swindon
Swindon works well as a base: 5 minutes from Wroughton, 17km from Cotswold Water Park.
Swindon is in England, United Kingdom, with about 200,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Wroughton, about 4 km away.
Swindon ( ) is a town in Wiltshire, England. At the time of the 2021 census, the population of the built-up area was 224,942, making it the largest settlement in the county. Located at the northeastern edge of the South West England region, Swindon lies on the M4 corridor, 84 miles (135 km) to the west of London andRead more
36 miles (57 km) to the east of Bristol. The Cotswolds lie just to the town's north and the North Wessex Downs lie just to the town's south. It is the centre of Swindon unitary authority.
Recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as Suindune, the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1843 transformed it from a small market town of 2,500 into a thriving railway hub that would become one of the largest railway engineering complexes in the world at its peak. This brought with it pioneering amenities such as the UK's first lending library and a 'cradle-to-grave' healthcare centre that was later used as a blueprint for the NHS. Swindon's railway heritage can be primarily seen today with the Grade II listed Railway Village and STEAM Museum. The Swindon Designer Outlet is housed in the renovated former works, and the Brunel Shopping Centre is one of several places in Swindon that bear the name of the famous engineer generally acknowledged with bringing the railways to the town.
Despite the subsequent decline and closure of its railway works, Swindon was one of the fastest growing towns in Europe post-war as its economy diversified, attracting large international companies, who made use of its burgeoning population and strategic transport links.
Major venues in the town include the Wyvern Theatre and the Mechanics' Institute. Lydiard Park has hosted festivals such as BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, while the Swindon Mela, an all-day celebration of South Indian arts and culture, attracts up to 10,000 visitors a year. The ancient Ridgeway, known as Britain's oldest road, runs a few miles to Swindon's south, with Avebury, the largest megalithic stone circle in the world, and Uffington White Horse, Britain's oldest white horse figure, also nearby. Wiltshire's only professional football club, Swindon Town, have played in the Premier League in the 1993–94 season and won a major trophy, securing a famous giant-killing victory over Arsenal in the 1969 League Cup final. They currently play in League Two at the 15,000-seat County Ground in the town centre. Other sports in the town include Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey and five-time British speedway champions the Swindon Robins.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Swindon?
Within an hour or so of Swindon: Avebury Stone Circle (15 km), Cotswold Water Park (17 km), Silbury Hill (17 km), West Kennet Long Barrow (17 km).
Are there any good drives near Swindon?
The nearest famous roads are A466 Wye Valley (Chepstow to Monmouth), Cheddar Gorge Road (B3135) and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
Where is Swindon?
Swindon is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Wroughton.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 201,669
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.5580, -1.7812
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Swindon
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Cotswold Water Park
A 40-square-mile network of 180 lakes formed by gravel extraction, now used for watersports and wildlife.
17 km · about 20 min drive
ancient ruins
Silbury Hill
The largest artificial prehistoric mound in Europe, raised around 2400 BC beside the Avebury complex for reasons still unknown.
17 km · about 20 min drive
ancient ruins
West Kennet Long Barrow
A Neolithic chambered tomb near Avebury, over 100 m long and open to walk inside its stone burial chambers.
17 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Bibury
Charming Cotswolds village famously described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, home to the iconic Arlington Row.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Arlington Row
A terrace of 17th-century weavers' cottages beside the Coln in Bibury, once a wool store and among the most photographed buildings in England.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
The Classic Motor Hub
A curated classic car showroom and events space set in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Bibury.
25 km · about 30 min drive
film location
Lacock Abbey (Hogwarts corridors and classrooms)
The medieval cloisters of Lacock Abbey served as Hogwarts corridors, and its rooms as Professor Snape's Potions classroom and Professor Quirrell's Defence Against the Dark Arts room.
28 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Swindon
3 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 44 kmCleeve HillThe highest point of the Cotswolds at 330 m, an open common above Cheltenham with views to the Malverns and Wales.
- 60 kmClifton Suspension BridgeIsambard Kingdom Brunel's iconic 1864 suspension bridge soaring 75m above the Avon Gorge at Bristol, still carrying traffic and glowing with lights after dark.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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