Often-mocked UK town twinned with Disney World bidding to be the country’s City of Culture
DID you know there’s a town in the UK that is twinned with Disney World?
While Swindon is often overlooked as a destination, it is now even bidding to replace Bradford to be the latest current UK City of Culture.
Every four years, places in the UK are crowned the City of Culture – which in this case will come with £10million of government funding for arts and events.
Swindon is going up against the likes of Plymouth and Portsmouth for the crown in 2029.
One hope would be to rebrand the town, even Council leader Jim Robbins said: “I’m bored of just reading those same, old negative comments about Swindon.”
Despite it being slated, the town actually has a number of big claims to fame.
Back in 2010, Swindon was surprisingly twinned with Florida‘s Disney World after a competition.
Beating 24 other British towns, a promotional video compared the town’s famous Magic Roundabout the the Disney teacup ride.
Afterwards, a plaque at the park read: “Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, the Walt Disney World resort, sharing the magic 2010.”
Not only did British band Oasis took their name from the town’s now-closed Oasis Leisure Centre, but it was mentioned in the BBC‘s The Office starring Ricky Gervais.
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And it was was even used as a backdrop for two James Bond movies.
Pierce Brosnan filed scenes in The World is Not Enough at the former Motorola building.
He reportedly called the town a ‘great place’ during his stay – he was spotted at the Chiseldon House Hotel and local pubs.
And Roger Moore also filmed scenes in Swindon at the iconic Renault Building, which is now the Spectrum Building for A View to Kill.
If any of that still hasn’t tempted you, let’s see what Swindon has to offer…
Street Art
Swindon is an artistic town with 127 murals scattered about the town.
There’s a long-standing tradition of street art here which was originally spurred by local artist Ken White in the 1970s.
The most well-known mural in Swindon is the Golden Lion Bridge on the corner of Corporation Street and Fleming Way, dating back to 1976 although was restored last year,
If you want to see the murals, head to StreetArtCities which has all the details – and a handy map so you can see them all.
Kids Activities
High Score Arcades Swindon is a new arcade with over 80 games and for £12.50, you get free reign over all of them for one hour.
There’s old-school classics like Space Invaders and PAC-Man, to pinball, sports games and the newest arcade fun; there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Another place perfect for entertaining the kids, especially during half-term is Roves Farm which has an indoor play and activity barn with huge slides, tunnels and soft play.
It’s also a working farm so there are lots of animals to see too.
Parks and Playgrounds
Swindon is more than a busy town – it’s actually got wide open spaces and some pretty parks.
Lydiard Park is 260 acres and has a Palladian House, a church, Walled Garden, hotel and restaurant.
Throughout the year events are held at Lydiard Park and in the summertime there’s open air theatre, live music and an outdoor cinema.
There’s also an outdoor play area with a huge climbing frame, plenty of slides, poles and rope ladders.
Next to the play area is the Forest Café which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, pastries, soups, jacket potatoes and toasted panini.
When the weather warms up an Ice Cream Parlour opens next door.
Day ticket entry to Lydiard Park for adults is £6.70, and £3.65 for children (age 3-15).
Road Attractions
One of the strangest tourist attractions in Swindon is The Magic Roundabout in the centre of town.
The ring junction was built in 1972 – it’s made up of five mini-roundabouts arranged in a circle.
People travel from all over to test out the roundabout – it’s even rated the 10th best thing to do in Swindon on Tripadvisor with 126 ‘excellent’ reviews.
One Australian tourist said: “I checked out how it worked on YouTube just to be sure, I’m guessing it’s easy for the locals anyway and love how it’s called “magic roundabout” adds a bit of a laugh to the whole quagmire – love how the Brits think!”
Swimming Pool
Health Hydro pool in Swindon, a Grade II listed swimming pool has just reopened after a £6.5million renovation.
The Victorian structure recently underwent improvements to its pool – which is 33-metres long with four-lanes and gym.
While it might seem like your typical leisure centre, this swimming pool has been part of Swindon since 1891.
It was built by Great Western Railway workers – the washing baths were built in 1891, with the Turkish and Russian baths being added in 1904.
You can book to swim in the new pool for £8.
Heritage Railway
The Swindon and Cricklade Railway is Wiltshire‘s only standard gauge heritage railway – and it’s open for plenty of events throughout the year.
Visitors are welcome to check out vintage locomotives.
In September last year, Swindon & Cricklade Railway opened the last surviving and fully restored railway cinema carriage for a unique event.
Vintage seats were even salvaged from a cinema in Deptford, London, and placed inside the carriage for comfy viewing.
Events include Mother’s Day Cream Tea, Beer and Cider Festival, Jazz Evening and Santa Specials at Christmas time.
There’s even more trains to be seen at Swindon’s STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Here you can learn all about the history of the Great Western Railway, filled with vintage trains and interactive museums.
Tickets for adults cost £14 and entry for children is £10.50.
Restaurants & Bars
There are plenty of eateries in Swindon, but some of the top-rated on Tripadvisor include Del Mundos in the old town, with hundreds of five star reviews.
It serves up full English breakfasts for £14, brunch options, small tapas plates, sharers and cocktails.
Another popular choice is The Choptank Restaurant– the ‘Old Town’s Premier Champagne & Oyster Restaurant’.
When it comes to drinks, head to the Vault Bar & Lounge – this is Swindon’s ‘hidden bar’ found in the vault of the old post office building.
It even has 2-for-£14 on selected Happy Hour cocktails until 9pm every night.
Hotels
When it comes to staying in Swindon, there’s the classic Premier Inn, Holiday Inn and ibis.
But for a more unique stay, there’s the beautiful Chiseldon House – where rooms are available from £75.
The country house hotel built in 1821 is tucked away on the outskirts of Swindon and feels more like a countryside escape.
It has 21 ensuite bedrooms and has a beautiful patio for dining in the summertime – you can book afternoon tea for £27.50.
Plus, this quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.
And the lesser-visited Cotswolds town with one of the UK’s prettiest high streets – and used to film huge Disney TV show.