Scotland

The town of Swindon is to be found in the county of Wiltshire, England and can be easily reached by road or railway.  It is about forty miles from both Bristol and Reading. It is also around 80 miles from London. 

If you are looking to explore Wiltshire then Swindon makes an ideal base. There are plenty of good quality hotels in Swindon to stay in and also the surrounding area. It is close to Cotswold Wildlife Park and also the Cotswold Water Park.  Other places to visit include Bowood House and Lacock Abbey. 

But there are plenty of wonderful sights to see that are slightly closer to this large town and below we take a look at just a few of these. 

The first place of interest that is only around a thirty minute drive from Swindon is Avebury Stone Circle. This is larger than Stonehenge but less famous. But you still have the opportunity unlike at Stonehenge which is short drive away to wander around the stones and get up close and personal with them. 

Avebury Stone circle encompasses part of the village where it is located. Not to mention the ditches and external banks that form part of this ancient monument. The stones were re-erected by Alexander Keiller during the 1930’s. Today there is a museum on the site that houses a seventeenth Century thatched threshing barn and tells you about the sites history. The museum is quite hands on and interactive. 

To the north of Swindon is Cotswold Wildlife Park which houses a wide variety of animals from across the world. Along with rhinos, leopards and primates there is a pride of Asiatic lions. Plus when you come to the gardens there are small mammals such as meerkats, penguins and other tropical birds to be watched and enjoyed. All in all, the park makes for a great family day out.  For the children to help get rid of some of that energy they have they can try out the adventure playground. Plus during the summer months they have the chance to get close up and personal with some animals and watch some wonderful birds of prey.

Another place of interest is Lacock Abbey which was converted into a house in around 1540. Yet even so the sacristy ceiling, chapter house, monastic rooms and medieval cloisters have remained largely intact. As well as the abbey and the sixteenth Century stable courtyard there is also a Museum of Photography for you to explore. This museum was established to commemorate the life of the inventor William Fox Talbot who resided at the Abbey between 1800 and 1877. If you think you recognize this building then it has been used a number of times as location for TV and film productions including the Harry Potter films.

When you next stay in Swindon, choose your Swindon hotel here.