Swindon people!

[Farwah]

Hi,I’m from Aylesbury,Buckinghamshire and my partner has got a job in Swindon. We visited Swindon but I’m finding it a little rough. Is that true? Which towns would you recommend with good schools and safe areas nearer to Swindon please. Thanks!

I grew up in a village close to Swindon in the 1970-80s & the town was always seen as a bit rough to us.

In my era there used to be good comprehensives in Malmesbury, Cirencester & Wootton Bassett but I couldn't vouch for them now (both Malmesbury & Wootton Bassett are good for the M4).

I'd heard great things about how Honda's arrival had transformed the place, that there was a lot more cash around but I went back there a couple of years ago & didn't see any vast improvements in the centre, if anything it seemed worse.

Wooten Bassett secondary is one of the best in Wiltshire and the town itself is lovely. You could also try Cirencester or even Malmesbury.

Chippenham is lovely too, with lots of excellent schools.

Faringdon has a good community vibe to it and feels safe.
It also has a medium sized Tesco as well as an Aldi, very small Waitrose & a Costa drive through as well as quite a few independent shops in the centre.
Couldn't tell you about schools though!
Highworth is a nice place too.
Swindon does have its rough pockets but most towns of similar size will have too.

Faringdon schools all GOOD according to OFSTED. It’s growing rapidly and losing the safe, small town vibe, though.