I'm going to be working in Swindon for a few weeks.
What is there to do?
Is it worth taking a bike?
Suicide?
Gnarl it up in the woods behind Nationwide.
Magic roundabout?
Leave.
Definately bring a bike, not much else to do round here and the road and light off-road is actually pretty good, lots of nice countryside within easy reach
Resign
Trails round here are pretty good at the moment. Lots of choices for routes and plenty of places nearby to visit if you'd rather do something other than cycling. Unlike more 'trendy' areas you'll find plenty to do to keep you busy so ignore the negative comments. What other things are you into?
Visit the National Self Build and Renovation Centre. Then ... nope that's all I've got.
BIKE - pref gravel/rigid/XC
The countryside to the south is rammed with beautiful tracks and bridleways. Non tech but really pleasant riding.
I'm back there again next week, I can show you around whilst there's still some light if you like?
Run. Away.
Pubs: The Hop, Tuppeny, The Glue Pot for a most excellent pint. Happy to meet you for one or two if you're not weird.
Cinemas: Three of them, Greenbridge, Regents Circus, West Swindon
The Victoria; for live music
Restaurants: Moshan Island Grill for a decent caribbean meal. Helen Brownings for a feast of meat. Chani Dosa for dead cheap Indian street food. The Bank for a well cooked three course dinner. Kenzos is expensive but decent.
Entertainment: The pissed/stoned Rasta does a lot of singing in/near Weatherspoons (The Savoy) most days. Coate Water nice for a walk. The Oasis is dreadful but a must visit (if it is still open). The Steam Museum is pretty good and you can buy some tat at the Outlet Village.
If anyone tells you to go to Wootton Bassett, don't.
The road riding around the is great the mtb a lot less so. Head of into the Cotswolds for some lovely road rides.
There are a few alright pubs like the Glue Pot. Not much else really.
Helen Brownings for a feast of meat.
Also worth dropping in to see Tim and co at the Royal Oik in Bishopstone. Nice place to stop mid/post ride for a swift one. Average beer, excellent pub.
M4 / A419 / A417 / M5 / A449 = the Malverns
You could always go and visit the Leigh Delamere services.
Be careful though. It can get quite weird there.
Take the bike. You'll want to leave as much as possible.
You think it's a joke now, but just wait
Plenty of MTB rides to keep you entertained and a few local groups to tag along with
Happy to ride with anyone else who is up for it too btw 🙂
lots of nice countryside within easy reach
and its relatively empty as, fortunately, the Swindonians tend to stay in Swindon.
I used to live nearby hence my moniker.
Lots of nice villages and nice village pubs nearby in Bishopstone, Aldbourne, Ramsbury, Avebury, Liddington, Ashbury etc etc.
If you like history and pre-history visit Avebury and West Kennet Long Barrow
Road biking is good and MTBing on the downs whilst not technically demanding is very enjoyable and if you choose a good route you get a real wilderness feel in Wiltshire.
The Old Town is pleasant enough. Stay out of any district that ends in hill e.g. Toothill and Penhill.
Cote Water and Lydiard Parks are good for a wander with the family.
The Science museum at Wroughton is well worth a visit if there is an open day on (also that's where the Top Gear test track is).
If you like ice hockey go see the Swindon Wildcats.
As Dame Edna Everage said about Switzerland- "its very central, in half an hour you can be somewhere interesting". Well Swindon is very central, in one hour you can be parked up in the middle of Bristol, Cheltenham, Bath, Salisbury or Oxford.
The Science museum at Wroughton is well worth a visit if there is an open day on (also that's where the Top Gear test track is).
Science museum at Wroughton is closed to the public and it is not where the Top Gear test track is. This is what living up on the downs does to you. 😆
If you can't meet up with molgrips for a ride then get in touch with this bunch http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/
Art Centre in Old Town is worth a look if you like art'n stuff like that.
Top Gear test track is (soon to be a massive housing estate) Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Grand Tour test track is Swindon way though.
As has been said, lots of good road riding, most of the off road is bridleway type riding. Bring a road or CX bike.
Science museum at Wroughton is closed to the public and it is not where the Top Gear test track is. This is what living up on the downs does to you.
I know the museum is closed to the public but I said in my post
The Science museum at Wroughton is well worth a visit if there is an open day on
I know there are open days as I've been on one.
I may have lived in Wiltshire but I can still read
OK I meant Grand Tour test track not Top Gear
I know there are open days as I've been on one
Many many moons ago there were open days, but not any more (or in the foreseeable future) as the hangars are considered to be too dangerous for public access. Pity as it would be a great place to visit (provided the roof didn't fall down on you 😯 )
Were you ever in the Downlanders?
