OUR LOCATION
Nova Hreod is situated in Swindon, Wiltshire. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Swindon is within reach of many tourist attractions, from stately homes to the famous ancient stones at Avebury and Stonehenge.
Swindon is a vibrant, modern town, which has an exciting combination of cutting edge technological industry, intertwined with a rich industrial heritage, bequeathed from its importance as the centre of The Great Western Railway and the vision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Swindon is an area where the local economy is buoyant and the employment rate is very high.
Swindon is ideally located in north Wiltshire between London and Bristol and linked by major motorway and rail routes. This part of the county is very near to the border of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Swindon has easy access to railways, motorways, air links and is only 1½ hours drive from the ferryport of Portsmouth, giving quick access to Spain and France. It is easy to reach the South West, the South Coast, the Midlands and Wales. The thriving cities of Bristol, Oxford, Bath and London are all within easy reach.
Surrounding Areas
Bristol is an exciting city, overflowing with intriguing, traditional and occasionally off the wall things to do and see. Its harbourside location lined with attractions, boats, restaurants and museums makes it unforgettable. But what really makes it special is its energy, the mix of historic and new, and having been designated a European Centre of Culture, the city continues to celebrate in style with a year round calendar of events and festivals.
Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires, is famous the world over for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars, and since the 9th century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years. With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for both the tourist and resident to do. Whether its visiting one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, going out for a drink or a meal, taking in a show or shopping till you drop, Oxford has it all and OxfordCity.co.uk will help you find it.
The city of Bath is one of England’s tourist gems and has been welcoming visitors for over two millennia. This historic city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and presents some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, most notably the famous Roman Baths. The Baths are not alone in being one of many great tourist attractions to be housed all within the boundaries of one city – take for example the ancient thermal springs, which are now numbered as one of the UK top five tourist attractions.
Transport Links
By Road
North Wiltshire is conveniently accessible from London or Heathrow Airport by using the M4. The M3 connects London to the A30 and A303 roads, which serve the south of Wiltshire. From the Midlands and the North, the best route is by the M5 to the Almondsbury interchange near Bristol and then into Wiltshire by the M4, A4 or A36.
Bristol 39.8 miles
Oxford 29.5 miles
Bath 35.6 miles
London 81.8 Miles
By Rail
Fast and regular Inter-City services as follows: From London (Paddington) to Bath and Bristol serve Swindon (55 mins).
Click here for Rail links to Swindon
By Air
London (Heathrow & Gatwick), Bristol, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Southampton and Exeter airports are all within easy reach of Wiltshire.
Why not visit the Website of Bristol International Airport at www.bristolairport.co.uk
Outdoor Pursuits
Wiltshire Walks - Taking a walk by the water
This walk follows the route of the river Ray Parkway, between the oldest part of Swindon and West Swindon.
The Parkway is a system of paths signed by distinctive green and gold metal signposts. It runs from Coate Water to Mouldon Hill and often follows the route of an old railway line.
Waterland Outdoor Pursuits
Waterlands provide outdoor pursuits (and camping) for training and personal development. Waterland is situated within the Cotswold Lakes complex at lake 32 and boasts a range of water sports clubs, extreme sports and other outdoor activities for adults and children. To find out more, click here.
Shopping
The Great Western Designer Outlet Village shopping centre in Swindon is now one of the town's biggest attractions. It is based at the former railway works, for which the town is famous. Shoppers travel from as far away as the Midlands and Wales to shop at the centre which has plenty of parking spaces and restaurants to cater for all tastes.
Leisure and Sport
Apart from the hundreds of things to do in the town itself including award-winning Museums, Parks, Gardens, Leisure facilities, Shopping and Nightlife, our location on the edge of the Cotswolds and the rolling Wiltshire countryside means that whether it's water-skiing or the White Horse you'll be spoilt for choice of things to occupy your time. Here are just a taste of things to see and do in the area.
Leisure Facilities
Swindon has several local leisure centres to choose from: including popular, national Fitness club chains and local swimming pools. Click here for a list of centres to start with.
Museums, Parks and Gardens
Museum of the Great Western Railway: For an all-round great day out for all the family it beats a whole load of better known attractions hands down - and at a fraction of the entrance cost. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is just another railway museum. There are some wonderful examples of Swindon-built locomotives but it also tells the story of the people who built them.
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens are set in 160 acres of parkland and gardens around a listed Victorian Manor House and has been open to the public since 1970. The Park is home to a fascinating and varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates from all over the world
For a comprehensive giude to leisure in Swindon, click here.
Eating Out
Swindon features a varied list of eating out places. The atmosphere of this cosy town is fairly intimate and this is reflected in its diners and it has enough to give you ‘food for thought’. Swindon offers a broad range of restaurants: Oriental, Indian, Italian, Mexican as well as a growing selection of 'Gastro Pubs'.
