Things to see and do in and near Blunsdon

[Clarey]

We are going to Blunsdon, Near Swindon for a couple of days in the half term. It started out that we were just having a day trip to Longleat but somehow it changed and now we are staying two nights in a nice hotel Blunsdon House Hotel (http://www.blunsdonhouse.co.uk/html/bhhpage.html)
We plan on going to longleat on the day we leave so we have nearly two whole days that we need to fill. Never really been to Swindon other then going to the outlets :) Anybody live near there that could tell me of places to go. It will be myself my ds 11 and his cousin 12.
Thanks :D

[John]

yes, there are a couple of swindon dibbers on the site. I'm sure they will be along soon with some advice.

[rhondaridge]

I used to live in Swindon - a long time ago now - but from what I can remember here are a few things to do.

1) Costswold Country Park - nearby
2) Bourton on the Water - really picturesque village to walk round
3) Bath isn't too far - lovely shops and there are the Roman Baths and Pump rooms.

[flying-dutchman]

..and a quick trip to Cirencester, a lovely market town !!

Mr F-D

[JaneSi]

Can recommend a day in Bath also a day travelling round the cotswold villages - Stow on the Wold, Bourton on the Water, Broadway.

Jane

[Enright78]

Marlborough for afternoon tea, Steam museum in Swindon (by the Outlet Village), Avebury for the stone circles and Silbury Hill, Devizes , nice little market town, Hungerford for antique shops etc?
Also within Swindon, Lydiard Country Park and Coate Water Country Park

Ask about any of these if you need more.

[Funky]

Here's some suggestions the lads might enjoy:

On the doorstep to where you are staying is the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org/)

Up the A420 a bit is the Uffington White Horse the oldest chalk figure in the country and Dragon Hill (http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/white-horse.htm)

If it's chucking it down with rain then there's Space Adventure (http://www.spaceadventure.co.uk/index.asp)

If there's anything in particular you'd like to do let me know and I'll see if I can make a suggestion.

[JimF]

You are not far from Westonbirt Arboretum which is a great walk at this time of year with spectacular colours. The next best thing to New England in the Fall.

[Clarey]

Thanks everyone :D I think we will visit Bath on the way up and then go to Uffington to see the White Horse.
Thanks again.

[lesley1960]

Just realised ................there really isnt a lot to do here !

you could go bowling , ice skating , two multiplex cinemas , I'm sure we still have a laser quest.........swimming ............shopping is useles so dont do that.

And there has to be about a milion places to eat.

[Clarey]

Lesley what is the Outlet place like? Have been to the Cheshire Oaks one which is good. Thanks

[Raymond]

Cheddar Gorge is worth a visit, about 60ml from Swindon I think.

[genna_h]

I really like it there especially if you get there when it first opens. There are also some great stores for xmas presents at discount prices too. Bit annoying to get there though!

[Tiggernut]

I'm another one who used to live in the area - 18 years ago now but still.......

I was going to suggest Cirencester or Bath and if you haven't been to Avebury I really wouldn't miss it! Personally I think it's better than Stonehenge but i'm slightly bised as I used to bike there from where I lived virtually every weekend with my mates when I was a teenager!!!! :D

I don't know what the Oasis Leisure Centre's like these days but many moons ago it was a great place to go when the weather was a bit dodgy! In the days before I ever dreamed of foreign holidays, it used to be how I imagined Barbados or whatever........although I'm sure it's NOT!

I agree with the suggestion about the Steam Museum too - all my family (from my Dad's side) worked on the railways and their names appear on the memorial wall! It's next to the Outlet Mall so you could do both - or if you have people in your party who aren't into shopping you could always split up for a while!

I went to a few 'do's' at The Blunsdon House Hotel years ago and it was nice then - probably even better now I'd imagine! It's a shame that you weren' there earlier in the year as you could have gone across the road to the Speedway! I spent most of my formative years stood on the grass banks watching the racing there! Sadly the season has now ended, I'm afraid!

[lesley1960]

Originally posted by Clarey
Lesley what is the Outlet place like? Have been to the Cheshire Oaks one which is good. Thanks


Lots of people like it ............i dont sorry !