Wiltshire is a wonderful county, with plenty of the green and pleasant land of English lore. Swindon sits at its heart, a place that grew from a small market town (one mentioned in the Domesday Book) to a thriving business centre.
There’s no shortage of things to see and do, while some of the country’s finest nature reserves are right on its doorstep.
The Steam Age
While Swindon may have deep historical roots, it only became a significant town in terms of size and stature after the Great Western Railway was built in the 1830s and 1840s.
The area became the home of steam-train manufacturing, and you can explore this fascinating story at the STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway in the town centre.
This former railway building was open until 1986, but its early story intertwines with that of the legendary mechanical engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This place isn’t just for steam train enthusiasts – although the vintage locomotives are beautifully preserved and presented – but for anyone with an appreciation for modern history.
For something more contemporary, travel to the computer age at Swindon’s Museum of Computing. This treasure trove of vintage computers – most still in working condition – is the perfect way to show today’s tech-savvy children just what it was like to play on a ZX Spectrum.
An echo of Venice
Swindon might seem an unlikely place to chance upon a fine example of Palladian architecture – named for the 16th century Venetian architect Palladio – but Lydiard House is one of the area’s finest visitor attractions
Many come for the beauty that surrounds it, a 260-acre estate including a walled garden with succulent fruit trees, woodlands and a lake. Stunning all year round, it really comes to life in summer, when live music and theatre performances are held in the grounds, and film screenings are hosted under the canopy of stars.
The house itself is Grade I-listed, with an architectural style from the 17th to mid-18th centuries. It opens to the public during summer, when you can admire the fine stuccowork, painted wall panels and marble fireplaces.
Strike out from Swindon
Take the A4361 and A360 south and you’re just over an hour from the enigmatic Stonehenge. These prehistoric stones are fierce protectors of their own secrets but are a place of pilgrimage for many.
Oxford, to the north-east, is more than just a seat of learning, although many of its finest buildings are part of the university. Follow in the footsteps of royalty, prime ministers and famous authors as you visit the Bodleian Library with its ancient manuscripts or wander the Ashmolean Museum for Renaissance art and Anglo-Saxon jewellery.
Take the road north for the gorgeous Cotswolds, studded with picture-postcard villages and breathtaking views. The old Roman town of Cirencester is your perfect starting point, although it’s the fine Victoria-era buildings that strike you when you arrive.
Whether you’re visiting Swindon for business or for pleasure, ensure you make the most of your trip with car hire from Hertz.