Essential Tips for Business Travellers in Swindon
Once a small market town, Swindon benefited greatly from the Industrial Revolution. After the construction of the Wilts and Berks Canal and the North Wilts Canal, the town’s population grew exponentially thanks to an increase in trade to the region.
Today, Swindon is seen as offering the best of both worlds to its residents and visitors. Close to the beauty of the Cotswolds and a thriving centre of business. Close to cities including Bristol and Reading its ideal for those who wish to commute, but it offers a good balance of urban and countryside living.
Enjoy a Shopping Adventure in Swindon
Swindon isn’t short of shopping destinations. If you discover you need a new tie for a last-minute meeting, you want to find a comfortable pair of slippers to wear, or you’re searching for something to read when you head to the nearby park on a sunny afternoon, there is somewhere to get all of these things, and so much more. Swindon has a number of shopping destinations located conveniently close to transport links, with a vast array of shops, boutiques and eateries.
Swindon Designer Outlet
You can find everything from sparkling jewellery at Swarovski to a pair of baby Vans at the Swindon Designer Outlet. Located close just 15-minutes from Swindon Train station, and with a regular bus service from the town it’s easy to reach, parking costs are also reasonable. The designer outlet has a mix of high fashion outlets including Nike, Calvin Klein, Boss and Under Armour, and plenty of places to get a coffee or a full meal, such as Wagamama, Starbucks and SOHO Coffee.
The Brunel
At the heart of Swindon is a stunning glass ceilinged shopping centre. With 107 retail units spread across two floors. With everything from clothing stores to opticians and hairdressers, you could buy a full outfit and get ready for a night out before enjoying a meal at The Crossing food hall or having a coffee in Costa.
Swindon’s Culinary Experiences
For Important Business Dinners
Looking for somewhere that will impress your colleagues? The Choptank, located within the Royal Oak in Old Town is the perfect spot. According to TripAdvisor it’s the number one restaurant in the town and a chosen restaurant for many, with its friendly staff and contemporary British menu.
Just outside Swindon, nestled in the beautiful countryside, is a restaurant that serves up delicious traditional Italian flavours. La Strada offers fine Italian food, from beautiful and fresh Caprese salads to classic osso buco and spaghetti carbonara. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to meet friends, take your loved one on a special occasion or talking business, this restaurant offers the ideal setting.
For Quick Business Lunches
Looking for something fast that isn’t a burger and fries or a sandwich, then Tapas Del Mundo, located in Old Town is ideal. Serving a selection of small plates across a number of different cuisines. Perfect for sharing, they also serve a roast with all the trimmings on a Sunday.
If you like a good steak, then Harper’s Steakhouse & Bar is a great choice. Located close the Swindon Designer Outlet and in the iconic Weighbridge building, this is the perfect spot for a great steak and a good conversation. You can also hire workspaces so you can get some work done while enjoying the quiet but friendly atmosphere.
For Morning Coffee Meetings
There’s nothing better than a really good coffee and a pastry when you’ve got an early start. Swindon has a number of chain coffee houses, including SOHO Coffee, Costa and Starbucks, but it also has a number of independent cafes for you to enjoy.
Jennies Kitchen is somewhere you can go to enjoy the great outdoors or a cosy warm space, depending on the weather. Serving up freshly brewed coffee, a variety of teas, homemade cakes and pastries all day as well as afternoon teas, or tasty full meals, it’s the ideal spot to go for a morning meeting, or a filling breakfast roll before a busy day.
The uniquely named Baristocats has a great atmosphere, good coffee and their toasted sandwiches are pretty much perfect. The number one coffee lounge in Swindon, it’s recommended you get there early as it’s a morning service only, closing at 2pm.
Keeping Up Your Active Lifestyle While in Swindon
Exercise has a multitude of benefits to your mental and physical wellbeing, and an interruption to your fitness routine can feel awful if you’re used to a regular work out. So, if you’re staying away from home, for any length of time, and want to keep up with your routine, whether it’s swimming, jogging, running or a session on the weights, finding a temporary gym (or park) is necessary. Swindon has a number of gyms to choose from.
Puregym – if you have a membership (or want to give the gym a trial) this one has a weight room, indoor cycling, personal training sessions and a variety of classes.
Village Gym – this gym offers everything from aquafit in their pool to HIIT workouts. With a generously sized weight room and every piece of equipment you could possibly dream of as well as a coffee shop and a restaurant, this is a place to work out and socialise.
If you’re looking for a leisure centre with a pool there are two to choose from, the Halo Highworth and Lime Kiln. Both have a full-sized pool, gym, classes and ball courts.
Of course, if you prefer to go for a run, especially when the weather’s good then you could always head for one of the parks in the area, including Swindon Town Gardens, or head for one of several trails including Smeathe’s Ridge, Stanton Park Red Route, or Lydiard Park Circular.
Weekend Explorations When Staying in Swindon
Swindon is a beautiful town with a lot to see, from historic sites such as Lydiard Park and the site of Bincknoll Castle as well as STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway with its multitude of interactive exhibits, iconic trains and a station platform introducing visitors to the glamour of early train travel. Swindon is a town of many faces, but if you want to head a little further afield, Swindon is close to several incredible sites that make a drive (or train, or bus journey) worthwhile.
Royal Wootton Bassett
Once home to King Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr, Royal Wootton Bassett is a beautiful town full of Tudor-style buildings, local shops and restaurants. Surrounded by acres of countryside, the town is a popular destination for keen equestrians. The Royal Wootton Bassett Town Hall Museum is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays and has many historical town artefacts in its collection.
Cirencester
Just 18 miles, or a 30-minute drive, from Swindon is the town of Cirencester. Known as the capital of the picturesque Cotswolds, it is home to a number of attractions, including:
- Chedworth Roman Villa
- The Corinium Museum which is home to a lot of the Roman artefacts that have been discovered in and around the town
- The Abbey Grounds including a stunning lake and grounds where St Mary’s Abbey once stood
- An early 19th century prison known as the Cirencester Lock-up which includes displays on social history in the town.
Bath
Just a 22-minute train journey from Swindon is the historic city of Bath. Known for its Roman baths, bridge of shops and connections to the novels of Jane Austen, the town is full of places to visit, as well as being somewhere for the eager reader with incredible bookshops like Topping & Company and Mr B’s Emporium. Visit Bath to see some historical and interesting sites, including:
- Roman baths
- Bath Abbey
- Pulteney Bridge – the bridge of shops
- The Jane Austen Centre
- Prior Park Landscape Garden
- No 1 Royal Crescent
- The Circus
- Thermae Bath Spa
- Sally Lunn’s – enjoy the original home of the Bath Bun and visit the place where they were originally baked in the late 17th Century.
Why Staying at Charles Hope Swindon Makes a Difference
Making sure you choose the right accommodation is important when you’re thinking about where to stay for a business trip. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a couple of nights or a couple of months, it’s more than just a place to rest your head. Picking the right place can make the difference between waking up rested and feeling like you need an additional boost of caffeine every morning. A stay in Charles Hope Swindon can offer you:
- Spacious studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments up to 807 sqft
- Less than a 10-minute walk away from multiple transport links (including train and bus)
- Conveniently close to shops, cafes and restaurants
- Fitted with fully equipped kitchens for when you’re craving a home-cooked meal
- Close to several fitness facilities
- Make the most of our high-speed WiFi connection, perfect for business meetings and calling home when you’re away
Making Your Business Trip to Swindon an Experience
When you’re travelling for business it’s important to find accommodation that provides a balance between efficiency and comfort. Swindon is close to cities including Bath and Bristol and is situated near to the central headquarters for businesses including the National Trust, the UK Space Agency and E.ON Next. It’s the perfect spot to make your base when travelling for business when you’re seeking the ideal balance of work and play.
Whether you’re staying for a few nights or a few months, a Charles Hope apartment is the perfect location for you to enjoy everything that Swindon and its environs have to offer.
If you’re looking for things to do in your downtime or perhaps find the best restaurant for entertaining a client, our guest services team can help you, with personalised recommendations. We can help ensure your stay is everything you need it to be. We’re here to ensure you experience a smooth and successful business stay.
Ready to experience all that Charles Hope Swindon can offer? Get in touch with our team on +44 (0)203 983 6300 or email reservations@charleshope.co.uk to find out how we can make your business stay one to remember.
