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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

What to do in Swindon?

23 replies

MaggsS · 27/01/2009 11:09

Hi,

I have booked a night away as a surprise for DH as to be honest we just need some time on our own away from our 3 dc's.

We are staying at the De Vere in Swindon because there was an offer on and it looked really nice.( also about an hour from home so not too far to travel)

I was wondering what there was to do around the area and if anyone could recommend somewhere resonable to eat on that Friday night.

Thanks

OP posts:
cmotdibbler · 27/01/2009 11:13

Do you like walking ? If so, you could go out to the Cotswold Water Park which is nice (and do water skiing etc if you felt like it)

Cirencester is interesting and not too far

If you like Japanese food there is an amazing place which is actually owned by Honda - the sushi is fantastic

stealthsquiggle · 27/01/2009 11:13

The DeVere may be nice inside but the surroundings are not great...

What sort of thing did you have in mind? It is nearly 3 years since we left so I won't attempt restaurant recommendations (does the little Mexican place in Old Town still exist?) but might be able to help with other stuff.

stealthsquiggle · 27/01/2009 11:14

Oh yes if you like Japanese, definitely Stanton House (the Honda place).

Marlborough is also quite nice.

ForeverOptimistic · 27/01/2009 11:15

If you fancy shopping there is an outlet centre that is worth a look. I think it is called Great Western Outlet centre, I can't remember exactly, it is just behind the railway station.

There isn't really a lot to keep you entertained in Swindon but it is in the middle of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside so there are lots of lovely places outside Swindon to visit.

Marlborough (12 miles away) is a traditional country town with lots of nice gift places, good cafes for lunch and Polly's traditional tea-rooms do lovely cakes. Avebury (around 8 miles) has the stone circle. Uffington and Liddington have lovely country pubs.

I haven't eaten out in Swindon for a while but Old Town has the best restaurants and is walking distance from where you are staying.

McDreamy · 27/01/2009 11:16

Yes the Mexican La Casa? is still open in Old Town. I ate in a bar just down from there 2 weeks ago called The Old Bank - very nice food.

McDreamy · 27/01/2009 11:17

Think you might be thinking of The Marriot FO, I wouoldn't want to walk from the De Vere to Old Town!!!!!

stealthsquiggle · 27/01/2009 11:21

You will note Maggs that all most tips involve leaving Swindon

Definitely taxi from the DeVere to Old Town - it's a long way up that hill!

cmotdibbler · 27/01/2009 11:25

I was going to say that it would be a very long walk.

The DeVere is nice inside though - my friend got married there

ForeverOptimistic · 27/01/2009 11:29

You are right McDreamy . I don't think I would have been too popular with Maggs when she takes a evening stroll down to Old Town.

Original poster
MaggsS · 27/01/2009 12:27

Ok so Swindon is not great then?

Must admit I booked the hotel as it was only £10 per night and it says it has a pool etc.
Thought it would be a nice treat for Dh and I as we have a few tricky months ahead.

The Japenese sounds great. Where is that?

Also like the sound of the outlet centre.

Taxi to old town then?

Marlborough sounds lovely for the Saturday.

Thanks. Keep the suggestions coming. I really want it to be a nice break for us.

OP posts:
cmotdibbler · 27/01/2009 12:34

Stanton House Hotel - will take about 15 mins by car from your hotel.

The outlet centre is pretty good - have lunch in the National Trust HQ building though (go out of the door by the food court and its in front of you) as its much better

stealthsquiggle · 27/01/2009 12:36

japanese restaurant

Go if you like Japanese food - it is reputed to be one of the best in the country (they have 2 restaurants but one is v. expensive)

Swindon is OK, it just doesn't have much 'soul' left because it has grown too fast for it's own good over the last 30 years.

If the weather is OK and you fancy a walk, Barbary Castle is nice (although earlier recommendation of Cotswold Water Park is good too)

cmotdibbler · 27/01/2009 12:39

I have this terrible urge to make DH drive there on Sunday now. It really is fantastic, and the lunch in the Mt Fuji isn't too expensive. The sunday lunch is fab value, and we have taken DS - which as they don't charge for under 5's is great

stealthsquiggle · 27/01/2009 12:42

I might see you there cmotdibbler - I have just been browsing through their offers.

cmotdibbler · 27/01/2009 12:45

I think you live in the same county as me ? We used to visit friends who lived in Redhouse, and before that Old Town, so had a good reason to go. Now the excuse is going to Steam or the outlet centre to buy suits

Original poster
MaggsS · 27/01/2009 13:32

Thanks everyone . The Japenese restaurant looks lovely

OP posts:
stealthsquiggle · 27/01/2009 13:57

So we do - but I think you are a bit further south than us?

DS was v. disappointed in Steam last time we went and DH and I were depressed by how good it could have been (if they had spent a bit more to keep the connection to the main line so that some of their engines could have done something), and we tend to go to Bicester for outlet centre shopping - but then PIL are still in Swindon . Sorting through clothes to pass some on the other day it is very clear when we lived there - lots of brands that I would only ever have bought at Outlet Centre prices .

cmotdibbler · 27/01/2009 14:13

yes, that is the disappointing thing, but DS loves the little engines at Evesham, and the teeny one at Alcester to actually go on, so was more impressed about going in and out of, and really up close to the big engines.

Sometimes they have people in who actually worked on the railway, or at the depot, and that was fab

Bicester a bit too posh for me, even at outlet centre prices but may go back soon to look at evening dresses

We are pretty much the last town down to the south on this edge of the county

pickupthismess · 29/01/2009 20:36

If you decide against the Japanese place, Old town has a great Italian restaurant called Fabio right next to Pizza Express. It doesn't look anything but the food is really authentic and superb (as shown by the crowds).

Going out for the day, in the De Vere you are near the Cotswolds - Cirencester/Bibury (25 mins), Malmesbury (20 mins), Tetbury (30mins). It'll take you about 40 mins to drive to Westonbirt Arboretum (just past Tetbury and near Highgrove) which is just fantastic if you like the outdoors - great place to eat too. Marlborough is lovely as people have said (although different from the Cotswold towns).

ellac · 30/01/2009 20:53

if you don't mind driving - just over an hour away is longleat safari park and house as seen on bbc animal park.

Original poster
MaggsS · 31/01/2009 06:12

It all sounds lovely

OP posts:
Blondilocks · 31/01/2009 19:43

OH & I spent a weekend at the Hilton in Swindon not long after we got together. Like you it was taking advantage of an offer & we had no inspiration & it was kind of halfway between where we lived (although I work there anyway so I was at advantage). We didn't really do anything other than the outlet & the cinema. It was nice just to chill out though.

The outlet is ok.

I like Marios in Old Town. Also several bars around there too & a car park if driving.

There's the usual cinema, bowling, ice skating type things. But other than that can't think of things in Swindon.

Not too far from Oxford either or as others have said the Cotswolds - either west to Cirencester down the A419 or North to Burford on the A361. (This isn't too far from Stow on the Wold, Bourton on the Water etc).

snickersnack · 31/01/2009 19:46

Lovely walks on the Downs as well. White Horse Hill is great - if you can't face the walk, there's a car park near the top.

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