Swindon, Wiltshire, England

This afternoon, I am posting information on the town of Swindon (pop 155,000) in SW England.

Swindon can trace it's history back to Saxon times in the 1st millennium. The name translates as 'hill where pigs are kept'. Originally a small market town, the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1840 led to great expansion and creation of the town as it is today.

Public amenities include parks, gardens, museums and galleries. In the Old Town can be found intriguing courtyards, alleyways and various types of architecture.There is also a vibrant mix of traditional shops, pubs, bars and cafes.


 Things to do and see include:

  • Lydiard House, an elegant Georgian property set in rolling parkland.
  • Shopping at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet.
  • Great Western Railway Steam Museum. 
  • Museum of Computing.
  • Roves Farm
  • Butterfly World and craft village at Studley Grange.
  • Local walking routes.

Swindon is home to a wide range of accommodation providers. 

The portfolio of images shown herein were obtained in course of a walk around the Old Town.


Local church (Anglican/Episcopalian)


 

This building is close to the church (two images above). It dates from 1877 and is an example of a pre-welfare state philanthropic bequest from a wealthy individual. It operated as a hostel erected for the benefit of the local poor.

The Bell Inn dates from 1545.

Kioki is an Indonesian themed nightclub

Traditional houses

Public park

Swindon is 83 miles west of London.

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more