If I say Swindon, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Before I spent a day exploring Swindon en route to the Cotswolds at the end of Summer, I didn’t know anything about it. I read something online that caught my attention, describing Swindon as, ‘the most average town in Britain’.
What does that even mean? What is the criteria to become the ‘most average’? Is it a bad thing?
There was only really one way to find out. Go there and take a look for myself.
Swindon Town: First Impressions.
First impressions, not bad at all.
The drive into Swindon across Wiltshire is lovely. After passing the market town of Marlborough ,lots of rolling countryside and pretty views.
On the outskirts of the town, you can see the history laid out in the streets. There are grand old homes alongside row upon row of terraced homes built for workers of the railways. Swindon is famous for its railway history.
Even an old pub, now converted into housing but still eye-catching. Looks like the kind of place you’d meet a real character at the bar. Probably not the place to ask for an Aperol Spritz or a fancy cocktail, though.
After a quick wander through the town centre and historic outskirts, I found a real gem. The most beautiful Victorian era park. Swindon Town Gardens.
Swindon Town Gardens
A pretty green space in the heart of the old town, full of natural beauty and points of interest. I knew these gardens were going to be a winner from the gates alone. Proper old-school park gates painted and proud and complete with the park closing time on display. The sort of gates that make you wonder if there’s a stern faced, uniformed park keeper about.
There wasn’t, but there was plenty else to see.
Before we get into that though, a bit about the roots of the place. Swindon Town Gardens were opened in 1894, having been built on site of a former limestone quarry. This influenced the layout of the park and meant it was built at different levels, creating pocket size gardens within the park, making it feel bigger than it actually is. It also makes it a joy to discover- you never know what’s around the next corner.
The gardens were a work-in-progress right up to the 1920’s as further planting was added, a rose garden nurtured and a bowling green built. Today it’s a garden space of mature trees, pretty planting and historical points of interest. My favourites being…
The Bandstand
Love a good bandstand, I do. Seen some lovely ones this year in Basingstoke and Clevedon. And now, this beauty in Swindon. Although it’s been tweaked and refurbished a few times since the gardens opened, this bonny bandstand is one of the parks original features. Imagine all the courting couples and families that have wandered round the old thing?
As well as bandstands, I’m also fascinated by the history of the Titanic. And there’s a link here- this bandstand was the venue for a fundraising concert for the families of those who drowned when she went down. It’s still used for traditional concerts in the summer months.
The Aviary & The Ornamental Pond
Known as ‘Children’s Corner’ when the park opened, the bird cage and ornamental fishpond were also original features. Like the bandstand, they have been updated and remodeled but remain true to the spirit of the original design.
The present aviary, home to a gang of boisterous budgies, was created as part of the Town Gardens Centenary Celebrations. The pond, originally oval shaped and home to a small island, was redesigned in the 1930’s. It’s full of colourful fish and water lilies.
A very pretty and charmingly old-fashioned corner of the park.
The Peter Pan Statue
A cute statue with a troubled history and another modern version of an original. There’s a theme here, isn’t there? Swindon is very protective of its heritage. I like that.
The original version of this statue was stolen and was replaced with a fibre glass replica. That might have been the end of it, but more misfortune lay ahead. The replacement statue was beheaded. Someone out there has the head of Peter Pan. Bet that wouldn’t have happened if we’d had a stern faced, uniformed park keeper on the case.
It seems Peter Pan never grows up and he never gives up on having a spot in Swindon Town Gardens either. The statue is there, fully intact. A lovely and whimsical thing.
The Rose Garden
Gated and contained within its own walls, a secret garden feel to it. Planting is carefully considered here, and there is ongoing revision of the garden to ensure a good mix of traditional and modern rose varieties are planted.
I’m an old fashioned girl at heart and roses appeal to me. They have a vintage, pretty beauty. A whole historical garden of them? Perfection.
The Rose Garden is also home to an unusual sundial featuring a gold dove. This was added to the garden in memory of Police Constable Richard Webb.
The V.E Day Memorial
A simple but striking memorial featuring an extract from the Siegfried Sassoon poem ‘Everyone Sang’. The memorial was placed in the park to mark the 50th Anniversary of VE day and the Parish Council has since invested in keeping it in good order.
Of course, that’s not everything you’ll find in the Town Gardens. Just my highlights from a day spent wandering. You’ll find more information about the place and a range of images both historical and current on the Town Gardens section on the Swindon Borough Council website.
So, Swindon. The most average town in Britain?
I’d say not. But if this is average, isn’t average a beautiful thing to be?
If you liked this post, try this one next: 6 Things to Know if You’re Visiting Bushy Park, London.
Helen x
Well, from the things you shared — that town is far from average.
Well, who knew? I’ve never been to Swindon – it’s not on my ‘must-see’ list, but I had made fairly negative assumptions. That’ll learn me.
Well, if you’re ever in the area you know it had at least got a lovely park. Nice cafe kiosk too but I didn’t grab a snap. Thanks for reading Margaret 😊
I shan’t forget. But we won’t be at that end of the country any time soon, I guess.
I have to say, i am completely at a loss.. its true, the town gardens is pretty, and that area of the Swindon is nice… however, take a walk to the town centre and you will soon discover a town that has completely given up on itself. To describe it as a dump isn’t even half of it… anyone, please please please do not assume all of swindon is like this. All do yourself a favour and visit Marlborough instead.
Yours hopefully
Matt
Ps
I happen to live just outside this god forsaken hell hole…
I’d definitely agree Marlborough is worth a visit. One of my favourite places to go when I’ve an afternoon to do as I please. As for Swindon town centre, we did venture in, briefly. But I just wrote about the lovely gardens 😉 everywhere has its ups and downs, I suppose!
This was a very enjoyable read for me Helen. For starters, I used to jump on a train when I was a youngster and visit the engine sheds at Swindon. The town definitely wasn’t average back then, but then nowhere was.
I wouldn’t have visited the gardens but they look gorgeous, and there’s something about bandstands isn’t there? Trainspotters are called anoraks but I bet there’s somebody out there who collects bandstands too 😊
I think my favourite has to be the VE Memorial. Siegfried Sassoon had a gift of bringing to life the horrors of war.
Thanks for coming along! There’s definitely something about bandstands. I love thinking of people gathered round them through the ages.
I recently had my first (and last) trip to Swindon
I loved visiting the park with you. I’ve not had time to do that in my two visits from Australia. Always busy finding my family connections and my ancestors. Steam museum is a wonderful railway museum!
Thanks for coming along, I appreciate it!
Very nice tour of an above-average town from what I see. Love that sundial and the bandstand. I like it when areas repurpose buildings like that pub becoming housing. And yes, I think when it was a pub just ordering beer would be the order of the day.
Definitely looked like it had been a good old-fashioned boozer!
I’ve never visited Swindon but it looks rather nice Helen with its park, bandstand, rose garden and Peter Pan statue. I don’t know how you’d classify a town as being average either but from your blog post I’d say it’s at least that or even better!
It seemed like a perfectly pleasant place, I’m not sure where the idea of average came from! The Town Gardens and old town were definitely above average. Whatever average may be!
Swindon Town 0 – Hereford 1 (or anywhere else you want to name) comes to mind, Helen. When Dad was alive he never missed listening to the football scores on a Saturday teatime. I don’t know why Swindon Town produces this memory, but it does. I’ve never been there but this park is lovely. In the Burn Valley Gardens in Hartlepool we used to have a Peter Pan statue in the middle of a small lily pond. It was pinched and sadly never replaced.
Ah, what is it with people interfering with Peter Pan? Love that association with Swindon, it feels like contented Saturday teatimes.
🤗💖
Hi,
I was stationed at RAF Lyneham in the late 1980s and Swindon was the nearest town of any size, after Royal Wotton Bassett. Your photos certainly make Swindon look much prettier than I remember!
Oh, I’m quite familiar with Lyneham as my husband is a REME soldier and they moved the whole REME training system to Lyneham from Bordon a few years ago. I have found poor old Swindon gets a mixed reaction from people, but I think everywhere is worth a visit at least once. And those Town Gardens won me over. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment, appreciate it!
Spot on… photos can do wonderful things
Lovely garden, Helen. “Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough”. I’m not sure what makes a town average, but if it’s having this beautiful green oasis in the middle of the town, then great! We need more average towns. I love your selection of different highlights from the Swindon garden. An interesting piece of history about the bandstand. It’s little details like that that make places vivid and memorable.
I’ve never even heard of the name Swindon, so thanks for the geography lesson first of all. Secondly, I love the old-timey feels from all your pics. That pub does transport me to a different era, at least by feeling. And a sundial too? I have to say, this town is far from average. Thanks for taking the time to explore, and in turn, allowing me to do the same 🙂
You’re welcome- I appreciate you coming along.
The park looks a fab place for a wander, I wonder who though, has the head of the second Peter Pan. The third statue looks very eye-catching. X
seems like a nice place