Car Rental Swindon

Swindon lies just off the M4 motorway, an important route running across the south of England and into south-west Wales. To the west, it links Swindon to the city of Bristol around 60km away, before continuing over the Severn Bridge towards the Welsh capital Cardiff.

In the other direction, the M4 provides a connection through the North Wessex Downs to Reading and major commuter towns on the outskirts of London, including Hayes and Slough. You can follow it all the way into the UK capital, where it links with the A406, also known as the Inner London Ring Road.

Swindon enjoys easy road connections to Gloucester and Cheltenham, just a short drive north along the A419, and historic Oxford, which can be reached by heading north along the A420. Drive along the A4 to reach the Roman city of Bath and connections to the A36 and A350, both of which lead to the south coast of England.

Swindon itself is easy to navigate by car, with an excellent road network providing connections to all the main attractions in and around the centre.

One famous landmark to look out for in the town centre is the Magic Roundabout, a major junction made up of five mini-roundabouts around one central roundabout.  While it may look daunting at first, it was designed to allow traffic to move more efficiently by keeping vehicles moving at a low speed. Just like you would for other junctions in the UK, give priority to traffic approaching from your right when using the Magic Roundabout.

Swindon boasts many attractions connected to its heritage as a manufacturing hub. Away from the centre, it’s easy to hop in your rental car and explore the surrounding countryside.

Step back in time

One of Swindon’s most popular attractions is the STEAM Museum, housed on the site of the town’s former railway factory. Dedicated to the history of the Great Western Railway, the museum features a fascinating array of exhibits including steam locomotives, wagons and carriages. There’s also archive photographs tracing the life and work of those who built and travelled on this pioneering rail network.

Just a short drive away in Theatre Square, the Museum of Computing gives you the chance to step back in time with vintage PCs, laptops and Apple Macs, along with arcade games, consoles and much more. Open to the public on Saturdays, it’s the perfect way to soak up some nostalgia.

Picture perfect

Swindon might be known as a hub of industry, but it also boasts an impressive number of green spaces. The most notable is Lydiard Park, just a short drive west of the town centre, which consists of hundreds of acres of parkland with woodland walks, lakes and beautifully manicured lawns. At its centre stands Lydiard House, a historic stately home that’s been lovingly restored. Today, it’s open to the public complete with a café and tea rooms.

Also within easy reach of the town, Coate Water offers beautiful lakeside walks, wildlife spotting opportunities and even a miniature railway, making it the perfect way to spend an afternoon if you’re travelling with kids.

Ancient monument

Head south of Swindon along the A4361 for Avebury, a small village surrounded by ancient monuments. It might be less well-known than Stonehenge, a few kilometres further south, but this stone circle is no less fascinating.

Dating back to the Neolithic era, the original purpose of the stones remains unclear, but experts believe they likely played a key role in an important ritual or ceremony. Today, the site is owned by the National Trust and is open to visitors all year round, with free entry.

After you’ve explored the monuments, take the short drive to Avebury Garden and Manor, a 16^th century manor house that’s recently been refurbished. It now showcases rooms in five different styles, including Georgian and Victorian, and displays how the house would have looked throughout the years.

Relax and unwind

Just a short drive west along the M4 motorway from Swindon, historic Bath is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities and a popular destination for day trips. Founded by the Romans around naturally occurring thermal springs, this vibrant city boasts spectacular scenery and fascinating architecture, not least in the area around its Royal Crescent and the Roman Baths.

Although the original baths are no longer in use, you can still take a dip in the rooftop Thermae Bath Spa pool before spending some time exploring the medieval splendour of Bath Abbey.

With car rental in Swindon, it’s all within easy reach.