South Gloucestershire & North Wiltshire Area Guide
More ‘down to earth’ than the more picturesque Cotswold valleys and hills, South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire is ideal for those who need fast, easy access to London, Swindon, Bristol, South Wales or the Midlands. It is popular with families because of the excellent schools in the area and it is also a favourite with smallholders and those with equestrian interests.
South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire offer beautiful rural landscapes dominated by rivers and rolling hills. South Cerney and Ashton Keynes south of Cirencester flank the Cotswold Water Park, which is made up of 140 beautiful lakes. Cricklade, Purton, Lydiard Millicent and Wootton Bassett are lovely towns close to Swindon, a fast-growing city with abundant job opportunities and quick, easy access to London via the M4 or by rail.
The ancient North Wiltshire town of Malmesbury lies just six miles north of Junction 17 of the M4 on the southern edge of the Cotswolds. To the west, the pretty rural villages of Sherston, Didmarton and Badminton offer the best of country living.
South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire are home to...
History
The oldest town in England
Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England. The town is famous for its Abbey, only part of which still stands.
The flying monk
Elmer, the flying monk, launched himself from a tower of Malmesbury Abbey in 1000 AD in an attempt to become the first man to fly. He fell more than a furlong and broke both his legs!
The king and the barmaid
Athelstan, the first King of all England was buried at the Abbey in 939 AD. He was joined later by Hannah Twynnoy, a barmaid who was mauled to death by a tiger in a travelling menagerie.
A rich and varied past
The ancient town of Cricklade is built on the River Thames at the confluence of several streams and water meadows. The area is steeped in history spanning the Roman and Saxon periods and is associated with King Knut.
Property type
The area offers traditional Cotswold stone manor houses, Cotswold stone village houses, farm houses, barn conversions and country cottages.
Equestrian events
This area is very popular for equestrian activities being centrally located for several Three Day Event courses such as Badminton, Gatcombe Park and Blenheim. It is also close to a number of race courses, including Cheltenham, Warwick, Stratford, Worcester, Hereford, Bath, Chepstow and Newbury.
Places of interest
- Cotswold Water Park offers a range of outdoor pursuits, from walking and waterskiing to camping at Cotswold Hoburne
- Oaksey Park Golf and Leisure is one of the area’s finest golf courses
- Actiondrome in Wroughton offers Go Karting and other fun activities
- Kemble Airfield and the Bristol Aero Collection are well worth a visit for flying buffs
- Swindon offers all the usual city attractions including Cineworld, Swindon Empire Cinema and the Abbey Stadium Dog Racing stadium
- Swindon’s Brunel Centre and Swindon Designer Outlet offer excellent shopping opportunities
- For a more rural experience, visit Malmesbury Abbey or the Abbey House Gardens
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Getting to South Gloucestershire & Noth Wiltshire
Swindon railway station, which offers frequent trains to London Paddington (one hour and five minutes) and a range of other national destinations with First Great Western.
Chippenham railway station (Paddington in one hour and 20 minutes)
Kemble railway station (Paddington one hour and 20 minutes).
Motorists enjoy easy access to the M4 (Junctions 15, 16, 17 and 18), as well as the A419, A429 and A433.
Bristol International Airport offers regular flights to a large number of international destinations. It is located eight miles south of Bristol on the A38. |
Local councils
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Gloucester GL1 2TG
Tel: 01452 425000
Cotswold District Council
Trinity Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1PX
Tel: 01285 623000
Fax: 01285 623900
Email: cdc@cotswold.gov.uk
North Wiltshire District Council
Monkton Park
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 1ER
Tel: 01249 706111 Fax: 01249 443158
Email: customerservices@northwilts.gov.uk
Swindon Borough Council
Customer Services
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH
Tel: 01793 445500
Email: customerservices@swindon.gov.uk
Malmesbury Town Council
Malmesbury Town Hall
Cross Hayes
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9BZ
Tel: 01666 822143
Fax: 01666 826166
Email: malmesburytowncouncil@northwilts.gov.uk |
Where to go out in South Gloucestershire
Restaurants and Hotels
The Old Bell Hotel
Malmesbury
01666 822344
The Rectory
Crudwell
01666 577194
Whatley Manor
Malmesbury
01666 826 120
La Flambe
Sutton Benger
01249 720247
The Potting Shed
Crudwell
01666 577833
The Horse & Groom
Charlton
01666 823904
The Vine Tree
Naunton
01666 837654
Marsh View Hotel
Nr Calne
01249 813 318
The Saladin
Little Somerford
01666 824222
The Whole Hog
Malmesbury
01666 825845
Memory of Beijing
Chippenham
01249 462977 |
Leisure
Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury -01666 822212
Bowood House and Gardens, Calne - 01249 812102
Lydiard House and Park, Swindon - 01793 770401
Malmesbury Abbey- 01666 826666
Bristol Aero Collection, Kemble Airfield - 01285 771204
Kemble Airfield, Kemble, Nr Cirencester- 01285 771025
Swindon Railway Museum - 01793 466646
Castle Combe Racing Circuit - 01249 782417
Swindon Designer Outlet Village - 01793 507600
The Brunel Centre - 01793 525857 |
Sport
Abbey Stadium Dog Racing- 01793 721253
Swindon
Actiondrome- 01793 814340
Wroughton (Go Karting)
Cotswold Water Parks - 01285 862962
Cotswold Hoburne - 01285 860216
Megabowl, Swindon - 01793 886886
Oaksey Park Golf & Leisure - 01666 577995
The Link Centre, Swindon
Swindon Ice Rink/The Link Centre - 01793 463000 |
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 Schools in South Gloucestershire |
Pinewood School
01793 782205 |
Prior Park Preparatory School
01793 754415 |
Crudwell Church of England Primary School
01666 577357 |
Lea & Garsdon Primary School
01666 823534 |
Malmesbury School
01666 829700 |
Oaksey Primary School
01666 577221 |
Ashton Keynes Church of England Primary School
01285 861436 |
Sherston Church of England Primary School
01666 840237 |
St Margaret’s Preparatory School
01249 857220 |
St Mary’s School
01249 857200 |
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