What Is There To Do When You
Visit Swindon? by Simon Haughtone
What
can you do when you visit Swindon? Although you may not bump into famous
Swindonians such as Melinda Messenger, there's still plenty of
interesting things to see and do in Swindon.
1.
Shopping
Probably
the best places to shop in Swindon are the main retail parks such as
Greenbridge, the West Swindon Shopping Centre, Stratton and the Orbital
Shopping Park. Or, if you're looking for cheaper brand name items then
it's well worth checking out the discounts available at the McArthur Glen
Designer Outlet which boasts that it is the largest such development in
Europe. There's plenty of room there, even though some 3 million people a
year are estimated to visit it to save money on their designer goods.
 2. Steam
Railway Museum
This
is next to the designer outlet, so dad can have something to do while the
rest of the family shop until they drop. Situated inside a listed
ex-railway works, there are many exhibits that will guide you through the
history of the railways and even show you how the original railway
locomotives were constructed.
3.
Sports and Leisure Facilities
With
almost 200,000 people living there, Swindon has plenty of leisure
facilities from the relatively leisurely 10 pin bowling through
gymnasiums and the gigantic Lagoon swimming pool with it's slides, wave
machines and water cannon. Golfers are well catered for locally as well,
with the Broome Manor Golf Complex offering both 9 and 18 hole courses
together with over 30 bays in the driving range so that you can practice
exactly those strokes you need to. Or if you've got more time and energy
on your hands, you could experience the thrill of flying through the air
at one of the local gliding clubs.
4.
Arts and Theatre
The
Wyvern theatre shows a wide variety of films as well as the normal
dramatic productions. It is also host to many one night stands as it is a
well known venue for performers to include in their tours. For those who
prefer a more intimate atmosphere, check out the Arts centre, which
features folk music, smaller production companies and other events, such
as the Swindon Music Festival.
5.
Sport
Home
to the Swindon Robins Speedway team, you could take in an evening
watching this exciting sport at the Abbey Stadium. There are three league
football teams locally, including the Football League One Swindon Town F.C.
If you like watching ice hockey, then make sure your visit coincides with
a home game for the Wildcats or the Panthers. The faster motocross
circuit is located at Foxhill, just outside the town.
6.
History and Celebrity
If
you're a James Bond fan, then you may want to visit Sevenhampton where
Ian Fleming is buried. Music fans may want to see where the Moody Blues'
singer Justin Haywood was born. Those who enjoy Mark Lamarr on television
can see where he grew up in Park South. Swindon is also famous for being
the location of the UK's first public lending library. Not to mention
being the home of the Great Western Railway and the site for one of
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's railway works.
top
About
the Author: Find plenty of places
to stay in Swindon whether you want a hotel in central Swindon or
somewhere further out of the town.
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