Swindon

Swindon is a town of Wiltshire, England. It has a population of 180,000 (and rising). Swindon is one of the fastest growing towns in the UK (along with Milton Keynes) and has a very low unemployment rate.

Table of contents 1 Location 2 History 3 Geography 4 Attractions 4.1 Fast Facts 4.2 External links 4.2.1 Steam Railway Museum 4.2.2 Shopping

Location Swindon is located in the South West of the UK - between London and Bristol - and is easily accessible from junctions 15 and 16 of the M4 motorway.

Location of Swindon

Latitude	Longitude
51.563° North	1.778° West

History In the first half of 1800s Swindon was a small market town being used mainly for barter trade. It is believed by many that the name 'Swindon' comes from 'Swine Town', or the 'town of pigs'. This original market area of Swindon is located on top of a hill in central Swindon and is currently known as Old Town.

In 1841 a large collection of buildings known as the engineering works for the Great Western Railway were built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The railway works created many new jobs in Swindon and brought many people into the town to work. Along with the railway works a small railway village was created to house some of the many railway workers. This area became the present day area known as New Town (or the Town Centre). The original Railway Village houses are still standing and are occupied.

In the second half of the 19th Century the new area (New Swindon) created by the railway works and the original area from the market trading years (Old Swindon) were merged to become Swindon.

During much of the 20th Century the railway works was the largest employer in the town. In the late 1970s however a large portion of the railway works closed down. The job deficit was quickly filled by jobs from many new and upcoming industries. At present many believe Swindon to be a boom town[?].

Geography The town itself has a total area of approximately 39.70 km² (15.33 mi²). The unitary authority has a much larger area as this encompasses many surrounding villages and land.

Attractions It has a large roundabout surrounded by several smaller roundabouts known as the Magic Roundabout.

There are two leisure centres, 'The Link Centre' and 'The Oasis'.

The English Second Division football team Swindon Town F.C. play in Swindon at the County Ground.

Located in Swindon is the Steam Railway Museum (link below).

Fast Facts

• A well-known rock band, XTC, comes from Swindon.
• The former pop singer Billie Piper[?] (married to Chris Evans[?]) also comes from Swindon.
• Anthropologist Desmond Morris was born there as was his former girlfriend actress Diana Dors.
• Busty minor celebrity Melinda Messenger hails from the area.
• Comedians Mark Lamarr & Julian Clary have Swindon connections, but don't publicise it widely.

External links

• http://www.visitswindon.co.uk/
• http://www.swindonweb.com/
• http://www.swindonlink.com/
• http://www.swindonevent.com/
• http://www.thisisswindon.co.uk/
• http://www.swindonhotel.com/
• http://www.swindon-business.net/

Steam Railway Museum

• http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/

Shopping

• http://www.greenbridge-online.com/
• http://www.brunelcentre.co.uk/