Around Swindon’s Railway Village to STEAM Museum (The Bear Trail)

Enjoy this trail around Swindon’s historic railway village.
Distance: 1.1 miles

Starting Point
The trail starts near Emlyn Square, at bus stop on Bristol Street, outside the tunnel under the railway tracks. You can get here by bus – plan your journey at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/plan-a-journey/.

What Three Words: ///wishes.turkey.rugs

1) Walk along the pavement with the high wall on your right and workers’ cottages on the left. Keep following the road past the water tower and the UTC. Soon you will come to St Mark’s Church on the right.

Did you know?

St Mark’s Church was consecrated on 25 April 1845, is the oldest extant church in central Swindon. It was built to serve the new town which grew up to house the workers for Brunel’s railway works. The church was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, who later designed the Foreign Office and St Pancras Station.

2) Continue towards the end of the road and before the bus stop, carefully cross the road. On the left you will see an entrance into the GWR park. This was set aside for the railway workers to enjoy sport and nature. Continue on an anti clockwise loop of the park.

Things to note:
How many railway references can you spot in the park? Look closely at the benches and some of the sculptures.

3) Exit the park through its gates onto Church Place. The heart of the railway workers’ cottages are in front of you. The size of the house reflected the status of the worker, and it wasn’t uncommon to have 10 – 12 people sharing these tiny two-roomed properties.

4) Turn right and head down to the main road (Faringdon Road) and turn left. On the right you will see the side of the Milton Road Baths (now referred to as the Health Hydro). This iconic building has met the health and leisure needs of Swindonians since the 1890s. It included a suite of doctors’ and dental surgeries, a dispensary, and a small and large swimming pool.

Did you know?
No. 34 Faringdon Road has been preserved as a ‘living museum’ open to the public. For opening hours see: www.mechanics-trust.org.uk

5) As you continue, on the left is the Central Community Centre. This started out as the medical fund hospital for the workforce. After this building turn left. At the pedestrian crossing you will see the Mechanics Institute Building, and the Glue Pot pub. Continue ahead and you will return to the Bristol Street tunnel.

6) Go through the tunnel and past the historic buildings on the right. Follow the walking route and you will see STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway ahead of you. This is the end of the trail.

Between January 2nd 2026 and March 31st 2026 you can collect your limited edition badge* from the museum and post your prize draw entry. (Opening hours Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 11am – 4pm)

If the museum is closed, you can enter the prize draw at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/home/activeswindonchallenge/
*Badges are available for the first 200 people to complete the trail.

The West Swindon “Westie” Trail 

Enjoy this trail around West Swindon’s paths and green spaces.
Distance: 2.5 miles

Starting Point
The trail starts outside the Link Centre shopping centre. Stand with your back to McDonalds.
You can get here by bus – plan your journey at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/plan-a-journey/.
What Three Words: ///enter.grant.verse

1) Walk away from the shopping centre building with the car park on your right and health centre on the left. Take care crossing the road and head towards the underpass.

2) Go through the underpass and the path heads uphill, passing the Shaw Ridge leisure complex on the left. At the top of the hill, turn left and take the main path heading away from the play parks.

3) Continue along the top of the ridge and head over the bridge that spans Tewkesbury Way. A little further on look out for a major path on the left. There is a bench close by.

Tip: For the first half of the walk you are following the “West Swindon Round” – look out for red stickers signing the route on the lap columns.

4) Take this path on the left and follow it until it brings you to Hay Lane. Take care crossing over Hay Lane and turn right on the path. You’ll soon come to the entrance to Lydiard Park. Cross over the entrance and continue on the path, which soon veers to the left. Go through the barriers and head down the slope.

5) Continue along this wide path for a quarter of a mile and then you’ll see a path on the right (Look out for the red sticker signing you right). Take this path, going through the bollards, down the slope and through an underpass. On the other side of the underpass you’ll come to a T-junction of paths. Follow the path to the right, signed “Shaw Village Centre”.

6) Keep on this path, taking care when crossing Middleleaze Drive. The path heads over a small bridge and veers to the left where you’ll see another underpass ahead. Go through the underpass, then straight into the village centre, passing the Village Inn pub on your right. When you reach the pharmacy, turn right and head for the pedestrian crossing.

7) Use the pedestrian crossing to safely cross Ramleaze Drive and continue ahead. After roughly 200 metres the path splits with a triangular piece of grass dividing it. Take the path that veers to the left. This path crosses Ramleaze Drive again, where you continue through barriers and soon come out at the bottom of the ridge. The path climbs up the hill to the playparks, where you can retrace your steps back to the Link Centre and the end of the trail.

Between January 2nd 2026 and March 31st 2026 you can collect your limited edition badge* from the Link Centre Library and post your prize draw entry. (Opening hours Tues + Fri 10am – 2pm, Sat 10am – 1pm, Weds 1pm – 5pm)

If the library is closed, you can enter the prize draw on this website at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/home/activeswindonchallenge/#prizedraw
*Badges are available for the first 200 people to complete the trail.

Along the canal from Wichelstowe to Swindon Town Centre (The Dragonfly Trail)

This is a one way route from Wichelstowe’s canalside into Swindon Town Centre
Distance: 2 miles

Starting Point
The trail starts on the canalside outside Hall and Woodhouse pub. There is a ramp onto the canal path, as well as steps. You can get here by bus – plan your journey at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/plan-a-journey/.

What Three Words: ///trail.safe.select

1) Walk along the canal path with the water on your right and Hall and Woodhouse on the left. Keep following the canal under the road bridge and past the new housing.

Can you spot?
Keep your eyes peeled for the herons and if you are particularly lucky you might also spot a water vole. There are also bat boxes built into the underside of some of the bridges.

1) Keep straight and you will go under Bevan’s Bridge. This used to be a farm access, but today’s bridge was built in the year 2000 by Wilts and Berks canal volunteers. It was the first new stone arch bridge built over the canal in living memory.

2) The next bridge along the canal is the Skew Bridge, built in the 1880s to carry the then Midland and South West Junction Railway over the canal. The tracks are long gone but the path is now the Old Town Railway Path, which can be accessed from the canal. For our trail, continue on along the canal.

3) You will pass the Rushey Platt Nature Reserve on the left. It’s a vital area for wildlife and dragonflies can be abundant in the pond.

4) Continue towards town, and you will soon emerge onto Dunsford Close. Cross the road and then use the pedestrian refuge to carefully cross the busier Kingshill Road. In front of you there is a path, which becomes the Southern Flyer route.

5) Keep walking straight along the Southern Flyer, taking care when crossing the side road. You’ll go under Cambria Bridge Road and a little further on, emerge onto Farnsby Street. Take care crossing this road and head through the tunnel at Brunel West car park into the pedestrianised town centre.

6) When you get to the ‘crossroads’ with Vodafone store on the left and the Metro bank ahead of you, turn right onto Regent Street. Walk along Regent Street to the top, where there is a red brick building, which houses Swindon’s Central Library. This is the end of the trail

Between January 2nd 2026 and March 31st 2026 you can collect your limited edition badge* from the Central Library and post your prize draw entry. (Opening hours Mon – Fri 10am – 5.30pm, Sat 10am – 4pm)

When the library is closed, you can enter the prize draw at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/home/activeswindonchallenge/#prizedraw
*Badges are available for the first 200 people to complete the trail.

Getting back to the start
Bus 9 (Stagecoach) or 11 (Swindon’s Bus Company) leaves from Princes Street stop CC (outside Wat Tyler House – The Council offices) and travels via Old Town to drop you back at Waitrose in Wichelstowe.

Old Town Railway Path Trail (The Butterfly Trail)

Enjoy this linear (one way) route from the Mannington Retail Park to Old Town.

Distance: 2.2 miles (with an additional mile to the Fleming Way bus stops to return to Mannington.)

Starting Point

The trail starts at Telford Way, at the back of the Mannington Retail Park.  You can get here by bus – plan your journey at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/plan-a-journey/.

What Three Words: ///crowned.minds.grant

1. 1.  Walk down Scott Way, go under the railway bridge and then immediately turn left onto a path signposted “Old Town”.
   2. Follow this path as it becomes the Old Town Railway Path. Keep going straight ahead.

What to look out for:  There are several white stone wheels at the side of the path. They represent Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Conceive.

1. 1. As you approach Old Town, you will go under the road bridges at Springfield Road and Croft Road.  The path then ends and you’ll come out into the Signal Way Trading Estate.
   2. Turn left after Unit 17 and go up the steps.  Follow the path onto Station Approach, which will come out on Newport Street

If you are unable to use the steps, then continue through the industrial estate, turn left onto Marlborough Road and then left into Newport Street and continue to Station Approach.

1. 1. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross Newport Street, then head around the corner onto Croft Road.
   2.  After 200 metres, the Arts Centre / Old Town Library will be on your right hand side.  This is the end of the trail.  Between October 1st 2025 and December 31st 2025 you can collect your limited edition badge* from the library and post your prize draw entry.  (Library opening hours Mon – Fri 10.30am – 4pm, Sat 10am – 1pm)  If the library is closed, you can enter the prize draw by scrolling further down this webpage

*Badges are for the first 200 people to complete the trail.

Congratulations on finishing the walk and we hope you had fun exploring!

Getting back to the start

Buses head back to Mannington from Fleming Way at regular intervals.  Services include:

Services 1, 1a from Bus stop G

Stagecoach 7 from Bus stop K

Stagecoach 53 from Bus stop J2

Stagecoach 55 from Bus stop H

Coate Water Loop  (The Fish Trail)

Enjoy this circular route around Coate Water

Distance: 2 miles

Starting Point
The trail starts at the entrance gates to Coate, on Marlborough Road.  You can get here by bus – plan your journey at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/plan-a-journey/.

What Three Words: ///mushroom.warblers.snappy

1. Walk along the path into Coate Water Country Park.  Keep going straight ahead.</li?
2. You will soon see the diving platform and toilet block ahead of you.  Continue towards the path at the lake.
3. Once at the lake, turn left and begin a clockwise route around the lake.Things to note:
   You can get to Richard Jefferies Museum from the lake – it is signposted from the northern corner.  There is also a model railway in this corner of the park, which is open on Sundays.
4. Continue on the path as it veers right around the eastern side of the lake.Things to see:
   The Garden of reflection is on the right.  It was created in 2022 as a pollinator and a place for people to immerse themselves in nature. A little further on is the Council Oak – why not read the plaque to find out more about it?
5. At the end of the lake, cross the bridge, and continue to follow the path signed “Lakeside Walk”.  Be sure to look up and see how many bird boxes you can spot on this stretch.
6. Cross the next wooden bridge and take care as the path is close to the road at this point.  Keep following the main path as it loops clockwise. The avenue of trees will help guide you back towards the start.
7.  Soon you will be back to the café by the diving platform, where the trail ends.

Between October 1st 2025 and December 31st 2025 you can collect your limited edition badge* from the cafe and post your entry.  (Café’s winter opening hours 10am – 3pm, daily)

If the cafe is closed, you can enter the prize draw by scrolling down this webpage

*Badges are for the first 200 people to complete the trail.
Congratulations on finishing the walk and we hope you had fun exploring!

North Swindon Fox Trail

Enjoy this circuit of Haydon Wick and Abbey Meads.
Distance: 2.3 miles

Starting Point

The trail starts at the Haydon Centre on Thames Avenue.  You can get here by bus – plan your journey at https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/plan-a-journey/.

What Three Words: ///clogging.renders.rigid

1.  Walk to the back of the Haydon Centre car park where you’ll see Rose Walk next to the Bowls club.
2. Head along Rose Walk passing the play park on the right.
3. At the end, continue straight ahead onto Pond Street.
4. At Haydon Wick Farmhouse, go through the barriers and continue walking along Pond Street
5. You’ll see a split in the path and a wooden bridge on the left going over the brook. Turn left here and follow the path, heading towards Abbey Meads.
6. Stay on the paved path and keep following it.  You’ll probably see lots of birds and squirrels on this stretch.
7. Eventually you will come to another footbridge.  Cross it and turn right.  If in doubt, follow the arrows on the blue stickers on the lamp posts.
8. The path emerges onto an open space and the path splits.  Follow the arrows to the left, then left again.  You’ll soon be walking underneath the power lines.  These are great for navigation.
9. Keep going straight and take care crossing the roads.
10. You’ll come to a split in the path.  Vere left towards the playpark, parting company with the power lines temporarily.
11. At the play park, the path splits again.  Take the path on the right back towards the power lines.
12. Keep following the path, staying under the power lines.
13. Just after Catherine Wayte School, carefully cross the road but DON’T head straight on.  Instead, turn right and take the next path on the left that heads you back towards Haydon Wick. Soon, the brook will be on your left and housing on the right.
14. At the end of the path, go through the barriers and turn left.  Watch out for bikes and cars as there’s no pavement on this stretch of lane.
15. Go through the barriers and past the allotments and you’ll see Rose Walk on your right.  Turn right and head back to the Haydon Centre where you began.Between October 1st 2025 and December 31st 2025 you can collect your limited edition badge* from the Haydon Centre reception, which is open Mon-Fri 7am – 10pm and Sat-Sun 7am – 2pm.If the centre is closed, you can enter the prize draw by scrolling further down this webpage.
    *Badges are for the first 200 people to complete the trail.Congratulations on finishing the walk and we hope you had fun exploring!

Previous Trail

Moredon Trail (The Robin Trail)

Enjoy this circular route from the Moredon Sporting Hub

Distance: 2.2 miles

Starting Point
The trail starts at the Moredon Sporting Hub, where you’ll find car and cycle parking, a café and toilets.  The nearest bus stop is on Akers Way, served by bus numbers 15 and 16.

What Three Words: ///beast.status.flags

1. With your back to the car park and the main pavilion building on your left, take the wide path on the right that runs alongside the cycle track.
2. Continue past the shipping containers
3. At the end of the path you’ll see a gravel path on the left with a dog bin.  Follow this path.
4. Keep following the path.  This may be bumpy for pushchairs / wheelchairs, and muddy after heavy rain.  Also take care around tree stumps and roots.
5. The path brings you out into a field.  Take the path to the left, where you’ll walk alongside the river.  Head towards the power lines.
6. Go under the power lines and you’ll come out on Route 45.
7. Turn right so that you are heading north. Keep going along this pretty stretch.
8. The path emerges onto Purton Road, where you turn right and follow the path into the housing estate.  Turn right so that you are following the pavement along Chicory Close.
9. Head uphill to the very top of Chicory Close where there is a short path to connect you onto Akers Way.
10. Turn right on Akers Way and follow the pavement all the way to Nova Hroed School.
11. Turn right and head down the school’s driveway.  At the bottom of the hill, use the pedestrian crossing to get to the gravel path on the left.
12. Follow this gravel path, with the cycle track appearing on your left. You’ll soon be back to the dog bin, where you turn left, walk back past the shipping containers and this will bring you back to the pavilion where you started.
13. Pop into the pavilion where you can collect a Robin badge from the reception and enter the prize draw.