Swindon has a fantastic collection of 20th century British art - Lowry, Nicholson, Howard Hodgkin, David Bomberg, Terry Frost etc. A really unexpected hidden gem of a collection nestled alongside the local museum up in Old Town. This collection really has wow factor.

Swindon Museum & Art Gallery
Bath Road
Swindon
SN1 4BA
www.swindon.gov.uk/heritage
01793 466556

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Lydiard Park is a 260 acre parkland with a historic house and church, extensive park and grounds, lake, children's play area, and refreshments. Because it's only a few minutes' drive from J16 of the M4, I'm recommending it as an ideal stop for motorists.

www.lydiardpark.org.uk/lyd-visitorinformation.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A great little tapas bar - Spanish beer (Cruzcampo) and great freshly cooked authentic Spanish food. A splash of your travels to sunnier parts in a little dish in the middle of Old Town.

The staff are friendly and you are just as welcome for a coffee and a browse of the paper, as for a leisurely meal over a few courses.

Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AN
www.losgatos.co.uk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

We stayed at Jesmonds for three nights, Thursday to Saturday, and ate there two of the three nights - it would have been three if it hadn't been for the rugby!

The room was very comfortable, good value and breakfast was exceptional....quality ingredients the key as always. However, the restaurant for dinner was the best bit and I'm sure lunch is just as good.

The service from both the management and the young staff was spot-on - accurate, with a smile and an attitude that suggests they really do care that you enjoy your evening. Nothing was too much trouble. The food is excellent, and tremendous value. The wine list is extensive, perhaps they could do with a few more wines at the top-end, but we found some excellent wines in the £20-£25 range which fitted the bill perfectly.

You will struggle to find a better overall restaurant experience anywhere in this price-range. If you are looking for somewhere for dinner a deux, or in a larger group to celebrate a birthday I would not hesitate to recommend the place to anyone.

www.jesmondsofhighworth.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you want an authentic experience as to what it was like to live in a 19th century railway community, look no further than a walk around Swindon's railway village.

Arriving appropriately by train, turn right out of the station's main entrance, and in a few minutes you'll be amongst the distinctive architecture of the railway village.

Stroll through the individual streets that were named after locomotives that passed through Swindon, and get a feel for the type of habitat that many of the railway workers dwelt in.

The turreted building is where the town's railway museum used to be housed, and next door to this, you can visit a railway cottage as it used to be in Brunel’s day, and get a feel for how things were for a typical railway worker's family.

In need of refreshment? You'll come across three pubs in the Emlyn square area of the village. I can personally vouch for the Gluepot, a fine selection of real ales along with a bowl of their chilli or cheesy chips will go down a treat.

Make your way to the pleasant open space of Faringdon Park, and then visit St. Mark's church with the modern railway running at the back.

The railway village is a real oasis of tranquillity, in contrast to the busy town centre. In early spring, daffodils and primroses are abundant.

Make your way back along Church Place and Bristol Street. You'll see a sign for Steam, where the railway museum has relocated. You also have the option of shopping at Swindon's designer outlet village, which has tastefully incorporated railway memorabilia into their malls.

As you walk along the underpass, spare a thought for former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman. In the 1960s, he successfully campaigned to save Swindon's railway village from redevelopment. Well played Sir John!

www.swindonweb.com/guid/herirail0.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends