Swindon is a town and unitary authority with borough status in Wiltshire, England. As of the 2021 Census, the population of Swindon was 201,669, making it the largest town in the county. The Swindon unitary authority area had a population of 233,410 as of 2021. Located in South West England, the town lies between Bristol, 35 miles (56 kilometres) to its west, and Reading, equidistant to its east.
Recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as Suindune, it was a small market town until the mid-19th century, when it was selected as the principal site for the Great Western Railway’s repair and maintenance works, leading to a marked increase in its population. The new town constructed for the railway workers produced forward-looking amenities such as the UK’s first lending library and a ‘cradle-to-grave’ health care centre that was later used as a blueprint for the NHS.
After the Second World War, the town expanded dramatically again, as industry and people moved out from London to designated New or Expanded Towns such as Swindon. Labelled as one of the fastest growing towns in Europe during the second half of the 20th century, its economy diversified, attracting large international companies as the railway works declined and finally closed in the 1980s.
Served by the M4 motorway and Great Western Main Line, today, Swindon is the head office of organisations such as English Heritage, Intel, Nationwide, all of the National Research Councils, the National Trust, UK Space Agency, WHSmith, and Zurich Insurance Group. It also houses the Bodleian Library’s Book Storage Facility, the Historic England Archive, and the Science Museum’s National Collections. Up until 2021, Japanese car manufacturer Honda had its sole UK plant in the town.
The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet and STEAM Railway Museum are both located in the renovated former railway works, with the currently closed Oasis Leisure Centre (inspiration for the name of the Manchester band), and infamous Magic Roundabout also notable points of interest. The Cotswolds lie just to the towns north and the North Wessex Downs to its south. Avebury, the largest megalithic stone circle in the world, is also nearby.
The town has one professional football team, Swindon Town F.C., who play at the 15000-seater County Ground in the town centre. Notable honours include the League Cup – beating Arsenal in the 1969 final, victories over A.S. Roma and Napoli to lift the Anglo-Italian League Cup and Anglo-Italian Cup, and promotion to the top flight of English football in 1993. They are currently the only side from the South West of England to have won a major trophy or played in the Premier League. Other notable sports in the town include the Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey side and 5-time British speedway champions the Swindon Robins.
Top rated driving schools within 5 miles of Swindon, Wiltshire
To find the driving schools, see the map below:
Common questions asked by learner drivers in Swindon
Q: How much is a 2 hour driving lesson in UK?
A: 2 hour driving lesson in the UK typically costs around £40.
Q: How much is the driving theory test in UK?
A: The driving theory test in the UK typically costs around £23.
Q: Can you learn to drive in a week?
A: It is possible to learn to drive in a week, but it is not recommended. It is better to take your time and learn at a pace that suits you.
Q: How many lessons do you need to pass the driving test?
A: There is no set number of lessons you need to pass the driving test, as everyone learns at a different pace. However, it is typically recommended that you have at least 20 hours of professional driving lessons, plus additional private practice, before taking your test.
Q: How long is a driving test?
A: The driving test in the UK lasts around 40 minutes.
Q: How many lessons does a first time driver need?
A: A first time driver typically needs around 30 hours of professional driving lessons, plus additional private practice, before taking their driving test.
Q: What happens if a learner driver is caught alone in the UK?
A: If a learner driver is caught driving alone in the UK, they will face a fine of up to £1,000 and their driving licence will be revoked.
Q: Is UK driving licence hard to get?
A: The driving licence process in the UK is not particularly difficult, but it is important to make sure you are well prepared before taking your test.