The Swindon Railway Village: A Victorian Model Community

Design and construction

The Railway Village was designed partly by Brunel himself. Construction began around 1846–47, shortly after the works opened. The cottages were built in terraces of two-storey buildings, with separate dwellings on each floor – a distinctive arrangement that maximised housing for a growing workforce. Built from local stone, the terraces form a cohesive and carefully planned streetscape that has survived largely intact. The estate included not only housing but also the Mechanics' Institution – with its library, baths, lecture halls, and later a medical dispensary – and community facilities that made the village a self-contained world.

Life in the village

Railway workers and their families lived in the village, creating a close-knit community centred on the works. Employment grew from around 180 in 1843 to over 14,000 by the early 20th century. The Mechanics' Institution provided education, leisure, and healthcare – a pioneering model of employer-backed welfare. Workers could attend technical classes, borrow books, use the baths, and later receive medical care.

The institution's medical dispensary was so advanced that Nye Bevan, architect of the NHS, reportedly remarked: "There was a complete health service in Swindon. All we had to do was expand it to the country."

The Heritage Action Zone

In June 2019, the Swindon Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) was launched as a five-year regeneration programme. Swindon Borough Council and Historic England jointly invested between £7.6 million and £10 million in the initiative. Key projects include restoring Grade II listed buildings such as the Cricketers pub and the Mechanics' Institution, improving shopfronts, and converting the Carriage Works into a co-working business hub.

The HAZ aims to bring new life to the historic core while preserving its character. A walking tour map is available from Swindon Borough Council for those who want to explore the area on foot.

The Railway Village Museum

For a glimpse into Victorian railway worker life, the Railway Village Museum at 34 Faringdon Road offers a restored cottage and period furnishings. The museum opened in 1980, was refurbished and reopened in 2017, and is run by the Mechanics' Trust. It provides an intimate view of how families lived and worked in this unique community. Check opening times before visiting.