Swindon (Wiltshire)

The ‘New’ town of Swindon, developed as a result of the Great Western Railway establishing its works there in the 1840s. There’s very little of architectural interest in the town centre, the usual 1960s/70s shops and drab buildings, but the lion (ex-demolished pub?) in the main street adds a bit of fun.

Buildings of interest lie in and around the railway works. The Mechanics’ Institution of 1854/1892 is now in a very poor state and has been deteriorating for years. St. Marks Church built in 1845 by Scott & Moffatt in Decorated style was the works church.

The redevelopment of the works site into a designer shopping outlet has reused some of the original buildings, as has STEAM the museum of the GWR – well worth a visit.