Between London And Bristol Is England's Charming Railroad Town With Shops, Culture, And Tasty Eats

As the birthplace of the industrial revolution, England is filled with destinations where travelers can learn about remarkable achievements that helped usher the world into the 20th century. While industrial giants like Manchester and Birmingham are popular on the tourism circuit, England boasts plenty of underrated towns where the country's industrial heritage lives on right alongside the modern-day allure of great cultural offerings and delicious foodie scenes. Enter Swindon, an unassuming stop tucked between London and Bristol that once thrived as one of the world's biggest hubs for locomotive production. Today, this former railroad town that's famous for its "Magic Roundabout" (five small roundabouts encircling an island) is a major shopping draw with tasty eats and cultural flair.

The largest town in the county of Wiltshire in the south of England, contemporary Swindon is inextricable from its railroad legacy. Until the mid-19th century, the town was known primarily for its livestock markets.  Then, in the early 1840s, the Great Western Railway set up shop in Swindon, transforming the little town into one of its primary engineering centers. The city's population quickly swelled to keep up with the demand of running Swindon Railway Works, which would become one of the world's largest railway enterprises spanning more than 300 acres. When production reached its height in the 1930s, Swindon was churning out three trains per week.

Ultimately, Swindon's locomotive production fell into decline following World War II. The last steam train was produced in 1960, and the works shut down for good in 1986. Yet visitors to Swindon can glimpse its railway legacy everywhere, from preserved heritage railway trails to unassuming urban locales like Frasers Plus. Today, Swindon's industrial past blends seamlessly with modern museums, bustling shops, and a vibrant food and arts scene.

Swindon is an exciting cultural destination that currently sits on the longlist of contenders in the UK City of Culture competition. Joining past winners like quaint, museum-filled Bradford and the coastal city of Hull would heap major recognition and a $13.4 million grant on the city. To start exploring Swindon's vibrant cultural scene, head to Museum and Art Swindon, which showcases everything from Roman-era archaeological marvels to exceptional modern paintings, or pop into Oink Gallery, home to a trove of contemporary artwork. Culture buffs will also want to visit Swindon Arts Center, the town's cozy, celebrated theater venue that puts on concerts, film screenings, exhibits, and more.

Travelers looking to hit the apex of Swindon's cultural scene will find it at STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway, which is housed inside restored, architecturally significant buildings on the former grounds of the Swindon Railway Works. The main building has cast iron details and occupies an old machine shop partially constructed in both 1865 and 1872, but some museum structures date all the way back to 1846. Alongside regular exhibitions, the museum's permanent collection encompasses some 400,000 pieces of memorabilia that include several iconic locomotives and vehicles. Don't miss Queen Victoria's Royal Saloon carriage, which the British monarch and her husband, Prince Albert, rode during her 1897 Diamond Jubilee.

Another incredible place to get your cultural fix is Lydiard Park Museum and Garden, a palatial estate sprawling across 260 acres. Over 4,200 Google reviews give it a 4.6 rating, noting that its beautiful family- and pet-friendly grounds make for a perfect day out. Explore the Walled Garden, a delight filled with flora and footpaths, or one of the park's gorgeous buildings like Lydiard House Museum, where opulent rooms harken back to Elizabethan times.

Swindon is a major destination for retail therapy thanks to Frasers Plus, which draws in three million shoppers per year. Installed inside a section of Swindon's former railway works, the outlet offers great discounts at dozens of coveted retailers, including Adidas, Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, and the occasional pop-up shop. There's more shopping 'til you drop at Brunel Swindon, a downtown hub with more than sixty shops and eateries.

If you work up an appetite shopping, tasty eats are never far in Swindon. In fact, along with casual eateries and cafes, the outlets are home to Train Street Market, a curated mix of street food faves and international cuisine that draws hungry shoppers on the weekends. Beyond this, the city is filled with restaurants that run the gamut from vegan and gluten-free to pub food and steak houses. For those looking for something specific, Eat Swindon is a definitive directory of everywhere in town worth eating.

The r/Swindon sub on Reddit has plenty of food suggestions from locals, who boast a surprisingly international palate. When it comes to tasty, affordable restaurants delivering great service, Nepalese establishment Yak the Himalayan Kitchen is highly recommended. Other faves include the Brazilian barbecue at Rios Brazil, Mediterranean fare at The Greek Olive, Spanish tapas at Los Gatos, and the Italian plates at Fratello's. From the walkable, iconic city of London, Swindon is about an hour and a half by car, or around 50 minutes by train. Swindon is even closer to England's vibrant, artsy city of Bristol — just 40 minutes by train and 45 minutes by car. If you're staying overnight, consider a vacation rental, or book a room at top-rated hotels like The Goddard Arms or The Highworth Hotel.