You might not have thought of Swindon as a place for a day out. But, for anyone with even a passing interest in the railways, social history or historic buildings, it is a must. This is one of the most important historic railway towns in England, a place where steam locomotives were designed, built and repaired. It is also the location of a purpose built workers’ village, where you can discover the stories of railway employees alongside those of the engines they built.
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Swindon And The Great Western Railway
Swindon’s development as a railway town began with the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who designed the Great Western Railway in the 1840s. He was searching for a midpoint between London and Bristol where locomotives could be serviced and repaired. He eventually chose a stretch of open land north of the small market town of Swindon, and created the vast industrial complex of the GWR Works.
The Works shaped the social fabric of Swindon: the factory needed a large workforce, and the workers needed housing and other facilities. This led to the building of the Railway Village, with workers’ houses and community buildings. The area that became known as New Swindon grew rapidly, overshadowing the original town and transforming it into a major industrial centre.
The Swindon Works Today
The GWR Works became famous for its innovation and for the craftsmanship of its workers. It soon moved beyond just repairing engines and infrastructure to building new locomotives. The site eventually included a machine shop, wagon works, locomotive works, and an engine shed. However it later declined in importance following the introduction of diesel engines and of electrification. The Swindon Works finally closed in 1986.
However the factory buildings remain intact and are now regarded as heritage properties. Work has been done to maintain and repurpose them, and they now accommodate a variety of organisations including the National Trust, English Heritage and Historic England, as well as the excellent Steam Museum (see below). Most of the other structures are now incorporated into the Swindon Outlet Village, a massive covered shopping centre with a food court and children’s play area.
Railway History At The Steam Museum
Located in the original Swindon Works, the Steam Museum tells the story of the Great Western Railway from its beginnings to its heyday. Exhibits explore the contribution of Brunel and the working lives of the engineers and factory hands. Visitors walk through reconstructed workshops and past some of the historic steam engines built here, including the famous Caerphilly Castle.
The museum also explores social history. Not just the workers of the Great Western Railway, but also the impact of the railways on society. You’ll see recreated stations and waiting rooms and learn about how train travel opened up new opportunities for the wider population. I was fascinated to learn that the GWR effectively pioneered tourism in Devon and Cornwall, even acquiring hotels and organising bus trips to destinations beyond the rail network.
The museum is family friendly, with lots of interactive exhibits. It also has a café and gift shop.
Exploring The Railway Village
Built between 1841 and 1843, Swindon Railway Village was a self‑contained community for the GWR workers and their families (a bit like the later, and better known, industrial village of Port Sunlight in Cheshire). It included housing, two public houses, a church, a park and medical facilities. This was a model of Victorian industrial planning, and today it is one of the best‑preserved workers’ villages in Britain.
Visitors can follow a heritage trail around the GWR works and the Railway Village (a children’s version is also available). It passes through the original Works buildings, before arriving at rows of workers’ cottages and various public buildings including the Health Hydro (currently being refurbished for contemporary use). The trail also takes in the GWR Park, once used for workers’ events, sports and family gatherings, and now a large public park. There are pavement markers and information boards along the trail.
The Railway Village Museum, housed in one of the original cottages, offers a glimpse into domestic life in the 19th century, with rooms furnished as they would have been for a railway worker’s family. This museum only opens occasionally – check the website for details.
How To Explore Railway History In Swindon
- Swindon is around one hour from London Paddington by train.
- The Steam Museum and the Railway Village are a short walk from Swindon Station. The town centre is around 2 km away.
- The best place to park for the Steam Museum and heritage trail is at the Outlet Village (North Car Park).
- The area is compact and walkable.
- There is a café in the Steam Museum. And the Gluepot (one of the Railway Village’s original pubs) is a great place for traditional beers and ciders and a lunchtime sandwich.
- For more places to visit in Wiltshire have a look at this post – Days Out In Wiltshire: History, Towns And Countryside.
