Things to do near Swindon

[x type]

Asking the impossible here

I've just booked a dirty relaxing weekend away for myself and the mrs staying at the Holiday inn express near Swindon . Just a weekend away without the kids

Some sensible ideas would be much appreciated from you lot for things to see and do

NO laptop or strip clubs allowed

Her indoors must go shopping , so some ideas for that please

Any nice cafe / restaurants nearby ? Must be reasonable priced ( under £60 for 2 of us ) cos I'm a tight ar.. and fair play to the mrs If we went somewhere and it was £30 for a steak she'd walk away laughing at the price !

We can have a decent 2 course meal out near me for around £45 for both of us we don't do desserts , that comes later

Just want somewhere we won't be ripped off

cos we are from Wales where money is tight isn't it boyo

Any reasonably clean ideas please ?

[CatJ]

The Designer Outlet in Swindon for shopping.

[Six Fiend]

Seconded for the shopping, sure there are some decent food pubs but it's off my patch

[MDJ]

'Old town' is your best bet for bars etc. TBH, Swindon centre is pretty grim these days :-(

Food wise you could also try the 3 crowns in Brinkworth (village just past Wooton Bassett) if you like kangaroo, ostrich etc.

[Deerfoot]

This place is worth a trip for food if you don`t mind a short-ish drive.

http://www.silksonthedowns.co.uk/index.php

[Japveesix]

Guess it's a bit late to tell you not to go to Swindon!

So, the Outlet centre is good, even for blokes.

Lydiard Park is ok if you fancy a walk in a nice park.

One of the few places I've eaten in Swindon was Thai Orchid on Victoria St. Obviously Thai food and genuinely very nice.

Then go drive around the magic round-a-bout until you crash.

[MDJ]

Deerfoot said:

This place is worth a trip for food if you don`t mind a short-ish drive.

http://www.silksonthedowns.co.uk/index.php

I must have driven past that place hundreds of times but never been in - thanks for the tip, I will try it.

[XG332]

Hondas uk manufacturing plant is in Swindon! I've been a few times and it is very impressive.
I wasn't on pleasure time mind.

[scdan4]

The Crown in Broad Hinton is nearer than Silks, and better!

The ice cream shop in old town is worth a visit too - www.raysicecream.co.uk Old town also has some good curry houses, some good pubs (wheatsheaf and the steam railway are good), good restaurants, (20, los gatos/les chats) nice parks (town gardens) and is a nice place to visit!

Stanton House has nice gardens and good food. The villages just the other side of the motorway or west of swindon have some lovely chocolate box examples. (eg Malmesbury, Wooton Basset)

The Ridgeway is close by for some more walking - would recommend starting at Barbury Castle (will be windy up there whatever the weather)

The outlet village is good for shopping as already mentioned, but the Steam museum is also worth a lengthy visit (same site)..

Town centre is a bit ste though...

[Puggit]

In Reading we have a term for all he people from Swindon who live there as it's cheaper but commute to Reading or visit for the superior shopping and night life: Swinnigrants.

[Mr E]

MDJ said:

'Old town' is your best bet for bars etc. TBH, Swindon centre is pretty grim these days :-(

Food wise you could also try the 3 crowns in Brinkworth (village just past Wooton Bassett) if you like kangaroo, ostrich etc.

I live here.

The guys who own the three crowns now have a new place in the old archers brewery. Worth a look, and they'll show you round their microbrewery if you ask nicely. I suggest calling and reserving if you want to go, they get busy...
http://www.weighbridgebrewhouse.co.uk/

If you're in the holiday inn in the centre of swindon, I really wouldn't recommend anywhere near it to be honest.
Old town for decent pubs. Designer outlet thing for shopping (although frankly I'd drive to bath).

Other restaurants are available (we had an excellent meal here; http://www.lacarbonara-restaurant.co.uk/)

[pb1695]

I lived near Swindon for a while, the new town is not great but the Outlet village is pretty good for shopping. For a lovely meal try the Pear Tree at Purton.

Also not too far to travel but worth a visit is Castle Combe. If shopping requirements are for a full day and you have the time then Bath is the place to go.

[David Beer]

Cancel and go to Cirencester. Great shopping, restaurants and the water park for activity.

[Pulse]

Puggit said:

In Reading we have a term for all he people from Swindon who live there as it's cheaper but commute to Reading or visit for the superior shopping and night life: Swinnigrants.

I don't quite see what that added to the thread. Funnily enough, I had the 'pleasure' of visiting Reading recently and thought it was horrible.

What type of food do you like? For curry, try Lalbagh - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g18...

For shopping, as others have said, you could go to the Designer Outlet. If you've never been before, it's quite good. If the weather is nice, there are a few specialist shops in Old Town, where there's also a few nice places for a drink and food.

If you like Chinese food, there is nowhere better than Swindon or Le Rendezvous (same owner). It's an 'all you can eat', but fantastic quality.

For good pub grub, Sally Pussey's or The Churchill just off Junction 16 are both well-priced and alright.

If you've never been to Lydiard Park, you could take some time walking around that. It's not massive, but it's nice for a couple of hours if you've not been.

[prand]

Not been for a while so may be out of touch.

The Science Museum (large objects collection) migth be open - worth a look if it is (at Wroughton Airfield).

If not carry on up to Barbury Castle and cycle/walk a stretch of Ridgeway with great views of chalk the downs. There's a cafe up there that sells cake and tea. Or head east a bit and walk up the Ridgeway to Uffington and the White Horse there - there's a fair amount of pubs in the area are worth a lunch visit.

Marlborough a bit further south is worth a look around for a morning, as is Avebury - big old stones and Avebury Manor (National Trust) which was just the subject of a TV renovation.

My main memories of Swindon were being spoilt for choice - for curry houses, from the corner of Victoria Road upwards to Old Town - you could usually take your pick of whichever took your fancy.

Does Bar 1.50 still exist? Avoid if so.....

[Porkbrain]

Just spotted this topic, I'll be getting some work done on my motorhome in Blunsdon this Saturday so will have Friday evening and from 9am to 6pm on Saturday to kill.

Is there anywhere nearby that is worth visiting, or a train ride away, as the weather looks to be pretty wet at the moment?

[x type]

can't do the quote bit but as recommended

"For good pub grub, Sally Pussey's "

what a name !!!!!!!!!!!
Superb food , went there friday and saturday night

can recommend the chicken tikka butterfly

well we've got back home from swindon after being delayed on the M4 this morning with junction 16 - 17 closed due to an accident , Hope the people involved are ok

had a good time , the mrs. did all the shopping ,mainly in the new part of swindon at the brunel centre


the old town is a bit crap as said !

went to newbury shopping again , that's a nice place to go except for the cornish pasty shop , £3.50 for a cornish pasty

went to chippenham saturday afternoon ,nice place but never ever ever had rain like that before had to stop driving !!!!! could not see in front of me !

oh and I've never seen so many of the bmw mini's before ! they are everywhere ! does everyone's wife have one ?

and a warning to anyone going there

Magic roundabout in swindon is something utterly amazing !!!!!!!!!!

5 mini roundabouts in 1 place jesu... chr...t they come from everywhere !!!!!!!

you don't go around the mini roundabouts , just go wherever you want to !

look it up on google

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.s...