Moving to Swindon: A New Resident's Guide
Areas, utilities, schools, transport, and key services for newcomers.
Read More →Discover detailed articles about Swindon's landmarks, attractions, shopping, and local community. Everything you need to know about Swindon in one place.
Housing & property Finance & cost of living Rules & fines Schools & families Transport
Areas, utilities, schools, transport, and key services for newcomers.
Read More →
SN postcodes, school catchments, house prices. Old Town, Wichelstowe, Shaw, and more.
Read More →
Which area is SN2, SN3? Quick reference for Swindon postcodes – neighbourhoods, locations, and links to area guides.
Read More →Bands, how it's calculated, discounts, exemptions, and where to get help.
Read More →ONS data, trends by property type, and how Swindon compares to nearby towns.
Read More →Latest figures, typical rents by area, and what to expect when renting.
Read More →Removals, conveyancing, stamp duty, surveys, and storage – what to budget for.
Read More →Solicitors, fees, and what to expect when buying or selling.
Read More →Making a will, probate, and finding a solicitor.
Read More →Man and van, full removals, packing, and how to choose.
Read More →Self storage units, sizes, costs, and what to check.
Read More →Sales and lettings agents – Connells, Allen & Harris, Chancellors, and independents.
Read More →SDLT rates, first-time buyer relief, and where to get the latest thresholds.
Read More →When you need it, permitted development, and how to apply to Swindon Borough Council.
Read More →Wichelstowe, Barratt, David Wilson, and where to find new homes.
Read More →Shared Ownership, LISA, Mortgage Guarantee, and where to get help.
Read More →Pros, cons, transport, affordability, and what to consider.
Read More →What affects prices, where to get data, and what to watch.
Read More →Nationwide, NHS, Council, Panattoni Park, and where to find jobs.
Read More →Careers at Nationwide Building Society. Graduate programmes, hybrid working.
Read More →Nursing, medical, allied health, admin. How to apply at GWH.
Read More →Council careers. Education, social care, planning, admin.
Read More →GXO, distribution, Panattoni Park. Warehouse and HGV roles.
Read More →Williams, Intel, Tokamak. Design, production, tech roles.
Read More →Nationwide schemes, NHS, engineering. Graduate programmes and roles.
Read More →Retail, hospitality, NHS, flexible work. Where to find part-time roles.
Read More →Designer Outlet, town centre. Sales, customer service, management.
Read More →NHS, care homes, GPs. Nursing, support, admin.
Read More →Find your collection day, what goes where, and how to order replacement bins. A complete guide for Swindon residents.
Read More →Bin collection day lookup. Find your day with the Swindon Borough Council postcode checker. Collection days can change – the council website is always up to date.
Read More →Council contacts, food bank, and emergency numbers. Where to get help when you need it.
Read More →Eligibility, how to register online, what you need, and election deadlines.
Read More →How to find and register with a surgery. NHS App, online registration, and what to consider.
Read More →NHS and private options. Finding dentists, urgent care.
Read More →Town centre car parks, on-street parking, park & ride. Where to park and typical charges.
Read More →Potholes, fly-tipping, street lighting. How to report issues to Swindon Borough Council.
Read More →NCN 45 & 482, Tadpole Round, Dorcan Round. Traffic-free paths and Swindon Travel Choices maps.
Read More →GWR services to London Paddington, journey times, fares, and how to check live departures.
Read More →GWR services to Bristol Temple Meads. Typical journey 21–25 min. Check live times.
Read More →GWR services to Bath Spa. Typical journey 25–35 min. Check live times.
Read More →Journey via Didcot or Reading (1 change). Typical 36–51 min. GWR and CrossCountry.
Read More →GWR services to Cardiff Central. Typical journey 57 min–1h 15. Check live times.
Read More →Swindon's Bus Company, ticket types, day tickets, concessionary travel.
Read More →Electric vehicle charging points, rapid chargers, and how to find the nearest.
Read More →Car park at Swindon station, charges, and alternatives for commuters.
Read More →Town centre car parks, on-street parking, park & ride. Where to park and typical charges.
Read More →Coate Water, Peatmoor Lake, Peatmoor Lagoon, Lydiard Park – where to walk, play, and picnic.
Read More →
Coate Water parking, BBQ hire, splash water park, lake, walks. Complete guide.
Read More →Pubs, cafes, parks, and walks where dogs are welcome. From The Weighbridge Brewhouse to Stanton Park.
Read More →
Palladian house, St Mary's Church, walled garden, 260 acres of parkland. Family days out, events, café.
Read More →The Link Centre, Dorcan, Haydon Centre and more. Swimming, gyms, and fitness run by Better (GLL).
Read More →PureGym, David Lloyd, Nuffield Health, Better gyms – from budget 24-hour to premium health clubs.
Read More →Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn, Village Hotel. Budget to mid-range accommodation.
Read More →Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Stonehenge, Cotswolds. Travel by train or car. Family and couples options.
Read More →Parks, museums, parkrun, Designer Outlet browsing – no-cost activities for families and visitors.
Read More →Cheap days out in Swindon. Swimming, museums, railways, parks. Under £10 per person.
Read More →
Discover the fascinating history, design, and facts about Swindon's iconic Magic Roundabout - one of Britain's most unique and famous road junctions.
Read More →The story of the GWR and Swindon's railway heritage. Locomotives, interactive displays, and family days out.
Read More →
Wyvern Theatre events, Wyvern panto, seating. Drama, comedy, family shows. 635 seats.
Read More →The Victoria Swindon – live music, gigs, tribute acts, club nights. 88 Victoria Road.
Read More →
Swindon Arts Centre events, theatre, comedy, music. Devizes Road. Programme and tickets.
Read More →Meet & Feed animals, tractor rides, Pets Corner, adventure play, tearoom. Toddler time, school holiday events.
Read More →The UK's first physical computing museum. Hands-on exhibits, vintage computers, family friendly. Theatre Square.
Read More →Wiltshire's only standard gauge heritage railway. Steam and diesel trips, Whistle Stop Cafe, family days out.
Read More →Vue Cinema Swindon, Swindon Arts Centre, Freedog, trampoline parks, Lydiard House – indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
Read More →Indoor and outdoor activities for families – parks, adventure centres, museums, trampoline parks, heritage railways.
Read More →Swindon Children's Scrapstore – cheap craft materials for schools, nurseries, artists. Bramble Close.
Read More →Swindon's art and history collections. Free admission, exhibitions, and what's on at the Civic Offices.
Read More →Iconic dome, wave machine, waterslides. Closed since 2020. SevenCapital refurbishment plans and 2026 reopening target.
Read More →
110+ shops in The Brunel, The Parade, Regent Circus. High-street brands, independents, cafes. How to get there.
Read More →
Market Street, Wharf Green, Shop Small Swindon. Retail stalls, farmers' market, artisan makers.
Read More →Greenbridge, Moredon, Dauntsey, Cirencester. Locations, schedules, seller fees, and tips for buyers.
Read More →Local retailers, gift shops, fashion, jewellery. Support local and find unique items on the high street.
Read More →The Brunel, Parade, Regent Circus – shops, cafes, restaurants. How to get there and what's there.
Read More →
List of shops at Swindon outlet, opening times, parking, restaurants. Swindon Designer Outlet directory.
Read More →
Frasers Group bought the outlet in December 2025. Ownership history, LaSalle, McArthurGlen, and what it means for Swindon.
Read More →From AA Rosette fine dining to Italian, Indian, steakhouse and gastropubs – Swindon's top places to eat.
Read More →Baristocats, Dotty's, The Pantry, Cafe Nexus – top-rated spots for coffee, brunch, and breakfast.
Read More →From Fabio Ristorante and The Biplob to Fez Moroccan Tapas and Longs Bar – Old Town dining guide.
Read More →Woodlands Edge Swindon, The Merlin Swindon, Hop Kettle, The Beehive – top-rated pubs, real ale and food.
Read More →Burgers, fish & chips, sushi, pizza, curry – top-rated takeaways and delivery options.
Read More →Seven Star, Hongxin, Hakka2, New Emperors Kitchen – top-rated Chinese food in Swindon.
Read More →The Biplob, The Burj, Ruchi, Gurkha – top-rated curry and Indian restaurants.
Read More →
Live music in Swindon, comedy Swindon, Power Lounge, MECA Swindon, The Victoria, Kioki. Club nights and bars.
Read More →Kioki nightclub Swindon – rave nights, Timebomb, events. 28 High Street.
Read More →The Merlin pub Swindon – Drove Road, real ale, food. Greene King.
Read More →Woodlands Edge Swindon – Hungry Horse pub restaurant, Peatmoor. Menu, garden, parking.
Read More →2025-26 squad including Connor Ripley and key players. Where to find the latest team info.
Read More →Ian Holloway – appointed October 2024. QPR, Blackpool, Crystal Palace promotions. His story and style.
Read More →County Ground tickets, box office, online booking. How to get to the stadium and what to expect.
Read More →
Harry Morris, John Trollope, Don Rogers, Harold Fleming – the legends who shaped STFC history.
Read More →Lydiard parkrun every Saturday, Swindon Striders, Avon Valley Runners. Free 5k, beginners welcome.
Read More →NIHL ice hockey at the Link Centre. Matchdays, tickets, getting to the rink. Popular local sport since 1986.
Read More →Bills, transport, childcare, insurance, and everyday costs – with links to our detailed guides.
Read More →Who supplies gas and electricity in Swindon, how to switch, and what to compare.
Read More →Typical gas and electricity costs for Swindon households and how to reduce bills.
Read More →Thames Water – area, charges, and how to get in touch.
Read More →How water and sewerage charges work in Swindon and how to pay.
Read More →What affects premiums in Swindon and how to compare quotes.
Read More →Buildings and contents insurance – typical costs and what to look for.
Read More →Cover for rental properties and what Swindon landlords need.
Read More →Types of cover for small businesses and where to get quotes.
Read More →Petrol and diesel – where to check current prices and how they compare.
Read More →Insurance, fuel, tax, MOT, parking – the full picture.
Read More →Town centre car parks, on-street parking, park & ride. Where to park and typical charges.
Read More →Typical spending on food and where to compare.
Read More →Childminders, nurseries, and free hours – what to budget for.
Read More →Typical nursery fees and how to use funded hours.
Read More →How to compare tariffs and find the best deal for your usage.
Read More →Broadband in Swindon – comparing speed, price, and contracts.
Read More →Network coverage and signal – how to check before you switch.
Read More →Train fares, season tickets, and how much to budget.
Read More →How Swindon compares for housing and day-to-day costs.
Read More →Parking, bins, noise, HMO, and "Can I…?" guides – one hub for council rules.
Read More →Where you can and can't park, time limits, permits, and restrictions.
Read More →When overnight street parking is allowed and what to check.
Read More →PCN amounts, early payment discount, and how to appeal.
Read More →Where CPZs are, resident and visitor permits, and how to apply.
Read More →Planning permission, permitted development, and what to check.
Read More →Lodgers, Rent a Room scheme, and when HMO rules apply.
Read More →Licensing, standards, and landlord duties for Houses in Multiple Occupation.
Read More →How to report noise nuisance to the council.
Read More →Collection days, when to put bins out, missed collections.
Read More →Find your collection day, what goes where, and how to order bins.
Read More →Paper, card, plastic, metal, glass – and what to leave out.
Read More →How to book, cost, and what they take.
Read More →Penalties and how to report fly-tipping.
Read More →Town centre car parks, on-street parking, park & ride. Where to park and typical charges.
Read More →Council car parks and on-street – what to check.
Read More →Smoke nuisance, what you must not burn, and reporting neighbours.
Read More →Data protection, filming neighbours, and best practice.
Read More →Clear-up rules, PSPOs, and fixed penalty notices.
Read More →Where smoking is banned and outdoor restrictions.
Read More →When you need a licence and where to apply.
Read More →Alcohol, entertainment, TENs, and premises licences.
Read More →Potholes, fly-tipping, street lighting. How to report to Swindon Borough Council.
Read More →Primary, secondary, catchments, term dates, and how to apply. The main guide for Swindon parents.
Read More →Ofsted ratings, catchment areas, and how to choose a primary school.
Read More →Ofsted, GCSE results, sixth form options, and how to apply for Year 7.
Read More →Maps, postcodes, and how catchments affect primary and secondary admissions.
Read More →Official Swindon school term dates 2025–2027. When schools break up, half terms, PDF planners.
Read More →Open days at New College, UTC Swindon, and sixth forms. When to visit and how to apply.
Read More →Rhyme time, stay and play, parent groups. Library sessions and where to find more.
Read More →Nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs, and holiday care.
Read More →15 and 30 hours funding – who qualifies and how to apply.
Read More →Indoor and outdoor activities – parks, adventure centres, museums, trampoline parks.
Read More →Best neighbourhoods for families – schools, parks, childcare.
Read More →NHS and private options. Finding dentists, urgent care.
Read More →Eye tests, glasses, contact lenses. NHS-funded tests for eligible groups.
Read More →The Link Centre, Dorcan, Haydon Centre. Swimming, gyms, fitness.
Read More →Central Library, community libraries, opening hours, book lending, study space.
Read More →Halls for hire, clubs, classes, and community activities.
Read More →Charities, food banks, community groups. How to get involved.
Read More →Churches, services, and interfaith events.
Read More →Discover Swindon's top social media influencers.
Read More →