| Area | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Historic, independents | Higher prices, families & professionals |
| Wroughton | Village feel | Near Science Museum, good schools |
| Wichelstowe | New development | Canal-side, sustainable, growing |
| West Swindon | Mix of housing | Lydiard Park, Shaw Ridge, leisure |
| East Swindon | Coate Water, Moredon | Designer Outlet, M4 links |
| Central | Town centre | Station, bus interchange, commuting |
Key areas
Old Town – Historic heart with independent shops, restaurants, and character. Popular with families and professionals. Higher property prices.
Wroughton – Village feel south of Swindon, near Science Museum at Wroughton. Good schools, community feel.
Wichelstowe – New development with canal-side living, sustainable design. Growing community with new schools and amenities.
West Swindon – Lydiard Park, Shaw Ridge, leisure facilities. Mix of housing and green space.
East Swindon – Coate Water, Moredon, links to the Designer Outlet and M4.
Central Swindon – Town centre, train station, bus interchange. Convenient for commuting.
Utilities
When you move, you'll need to set up or transfer gas, electricity, water, and broadband. Swindon is served by Thames Water. For energy, you can choose from many suppliers – compare rates online. If you're renting, check whether utilities are included in your rent.
Council tax
Contact Swindon Borough Council to register for council tax. You may be eligible for a single person discount or other reductions. See our guide to Council Tax in Swindon for more.
Schools
Swindon has a mix of primary and secondary schools, including academies and maintained schools. Check swindon.gov.uk – Schools for catchment areas and Ofsted reports. For sixth form and college options, see our School and College Open Days guide.
Work and employment
Swindon's major employers include Nationwide, Great Western Hospital, Swindon Borough Council, and the redeveloped former Honda site (Panattoni Park). See our jobs and employers in Swindon guide for where to find work.
Transport
Swindon has excellent rail links – about an hour to London Paddington, and direct services to Bristol, Cardiff, Bath, and Reading. The M4 runs nearby (junctions 15–16). Local buses serve the town and surrounding areas. See our Parking in Swindon guide for driving and park & ride.
Registering with a GP
Register with a local GP surgery as soon as you can. Use the NHS website to find practices taking new patients. See our GP Registration in Swindon guide.
Voting
Once you're resident, register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote. See our Registering to Vote in Swindon guide for details.
Bins and recycling
Swindon has weekly collections. Check your collection day and what goes in each bin. See our Bins, Recycling and Waste in Swindon guide.
Settling in checklist
Council tax, GP, vote, bins – links to all our guides.
Council Tax & Local ServicesInformation correct as of February 2026. Always check official sources (swindon.gov.uk, NHS, etc.) for the latest information.