Halfway between Bristol and Reading sits the large town of Swindon in Wiltshire. The town was recently in the news after it was chosen as the storage facility for the Bodleian Library; playing host to 153 miles of bookshelves! McArthurGlen designer retail outlet is one of the most noteworthy designer outlets in the UK; and the Railway Museum attracts visitors from far and wide, and a must see.
Many will be hiring a car from Swindon and using the town as a base from which to explore Wiltshire, and the Standing Stones of Avebury are just 20 minutes south on the A4361. Complete your mysterious pilgrimage by heading further south on the same road to Stonehenge, or even a visit to the famous Uffington White Horse. Closer to home, Coate Water Country Park is a short drive on the Marlborough Road/B4006; or alternatively take the Great Western Highway to Lydiard House and Park to explore its surroundings and soak in the historical atmosphere.