Swindon really does have something for everyone when it comes to shopping, which is why coach loads of shopaholics head to the town all year round in search of the big brands, quirky surprises and to bag a bargain.
Join us on a visit to Swindon’s super shopping emporiums…
Swindon Shopping
Swindon Designer Outlet
With 90 stores to explore packed with merchandise from high street and designer brands at reduced prices you’ll need a day at the very least to make the most of this covered shopping centre.
Browse the big retail names like Nike, Calvin Klein, Hamleys, John Lewis, Levi’s, Superdry, Body Shop, Ralph Lauren, Next …. and dozens more.
Just to add to the attraction Swindon Designer Outlet is housed in the restored Grade II listed buildings of the Great Western Railway – so you’ll need to make time to discover the fascinating exhibits of the on-site Steam Museum too.
Don’t worry about getting sufficient fuel for your shopping spree – there are plenty of favourite restaurants and coffee shops from Costa and Starbucks to Pizza Express, KFC and plenty more.
You’ll find all the special services you might need – like mobility hire, ear defenders to borrow, gift cards, lost property and loads of helpful advice at the Guest Services counter at the North Entrance (Train Street).
The Outlet is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 10am to 6pm.
Getting There and Parking:
The address of Swindon Designer Outlet is:
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2DY
Tel: 01793 50700
Email: enquiries@swindondesigneroutlet.com
By Car:
The Outlet is easily reached by car from the M4 motorway, exit at Junction 16.
Using SatNav the postcode is Kemble Drive SN2 2NA to access the North car park, or Penzance Drive (SN5 7JL for the West car park).
The car parks are run on a ticketless system – just enter the car registration on exit at the payment machines. Disabled Parking is available.
Car park fees are £1 for up to 5 hours, £12 for 5 to 12 hours, and free if you spend more than £100 at the centre.
To claim the free car parking visit the guest services desk at the Train Street (North) entrance for validation of your shopping receipts before you return to your car.
By Train:
The Outlet is just a 15-minute walk from Swindon Train station which has direct services from London, South West England and South Wales.
By Bus:
The Swindon Bus Company and Stagecoach West run regular bus services to and from Swindon town centre to the Outlet. For those coming from out of town National Express offer daily coaches to Swindon bus station from departure points like London Victoria, Bristol, Gloucester and Oxford. Various other coach companies run special shopping trips to the Outlet where they can park in a dedicated coach park.
The Brunel Shopping Centre
The Brunel Centre in the heart of town is as much a social hub as it is a favourite shopping destination. There are more than 100 shops and stores to wander around in this covered, convenient modern shopping mall, that is made up of five distinct areas – Canal Walk, The Plaza, Havelock Square, Regent Street and The Arcade.
You’ll find all the favourite High Street stores, including a big M&S, and a lot of independent retailers offering that “something different”.
When its time to take a break The Crossing Food Hub will do you proud with its 16,000 square foot day-time dining experience on the upper floor.
The Brunel Shopping Centre is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sundays 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Getting There and Parking
The address of the Brunel Shopping Centre is:
29a Canal Walk,
Swindon
SN1 1LF
Tel: 01793 525 857
By Train or Bus:
The Centre is within 10 minutes’ walk of the Swindon Mainline train station and the Swindon Bus Station.
By Car:
If you’re travelling west on the M4 leave at Junction 16, and if travelling east on the M4 leave at Junction 15. From the north follow the A419, and from the south the A346. In all cases follow signs for Swindon, using Sat Nav postcode SN1 5AH.
The Brunel North Car Park is Council run and can be accessed from Villet Street – a multi-storey with more than 700 parking spaces, including designated blue badge spaces.
Car park fees
If you enter the car park after 8.00am and before 6.00pm and park between 1 – 4 hours, you only need to pay £3.40. However, if you stay over 4 hours the parking charge reverts to standard tariff below:
Monday to Saturday (6.00am to 5.59pm)
Up to 1 hour – £1.40
1 to 2 hours – £2.80
2 to 3 hours – £4.20
3 to 4 hours – £5.60
4 to 6 hours – £9.10
6 to 8 hours – £23.80
8 to 24 hours – £40.80
Monday to Saturday (6.00pm to 5.59am)
Up to 2 hours – £1.00
Over 2 hours – £2.00
Sunday – all day
Free parking
Parade Shopping Centre
There’s more than a little of what you fancy at The Parade, where you’ll be able to do some serious shopping in the middle of Swindon and take a welcome coffee break.
Some of the eclectic mix of stores you’ll find at The Parade are Scrapstore clothing outlet, a Tesco Express, Superdrug, Schuh, Savers Health & Beauty, Infinity Mist Vapestore, and H&M.
The Parade is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm, and Sundays from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Getting There and Parking
By Car:
Easily accessible from the M4 (junction 15 or 16), and from major routes around Swindon. Satnav users should use the postcode SN1 1BB.
There is no dedicated car park for the centre, but there are several Council run carparks in the area. The closest is the Whalebridge Multi-Storey Car Park in Islington Street (SN1 1TN.
By Bus:
The Bus Station is located just outside The Parade, just a short walk from the shops.
By Train:
The mainline station, with routes to/from London Paddington, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Swansea, Chippenham and Bath Spa, is just a 5-minute walk away.
Old Town
Old Town in Swindon is a unique neighbourhood that buzzes night and day, with a lively vibe and ambience that makes you want to immerse yourself in its speciality shops, bars and eateries.
If you’re looking for a spot of shopping you’ll be delighted by the diverse range of stores in this vibey vintage part of town, where some generations-old businesses still thrive alongside new indie stores.
There is, for example, Blaylocks – Swindon’s only family run shoe shop, and Deacon & Son, dating from 1848, purveyors of jewellery, watches, gifts and antique clocks. There’s also a winning wine shop, a gift emporium, vintage clothing boutique, Balula’s fresh organic local produce and a great independent bookseller.
Why not finish off a shopping spree with dinner at one of the many restaurants, and a show at the Arts Centre theatre?
Getting There and Parking
By Car:
Being a neighbourhood to the east of Lawns Park rather than a specific address, the best way to find Old Town in Swindon is to aim for the heart of the area, which we’d say is Wood Street – Satnav SN1 4AN.
There’s 24-hour pay and display parking at The Planks (SN3 1QP), and around a dozen on-street pay by phone parking bays in Wood Street itself. Another option is Bath Road car park in Eastcott Road (SN1 3LS).
By Train:
From Swindon Station, which is served by trains from London and the South West, it is less than a 10 minute walk to Old Town.
By Bus:
Buses run frequently between Durham Street, Swindon, and Old Town (Devizes Road), and the journey takes only a few minutes.
Orbital Retail Park
Anchored by a multi-level branch of Asda, this busy shopping park in north Swindon has everything from chain restaurants like Costa Coffee, McDonald’s and Nandos to household names like M&S, Lidl, New Look, Next and Boots. So, whether you’re after the weekly shop, fashion, beauty products or medicine, this is the place to come. You can also have your car washed and get a haircut while you’re at it.
The main shopping hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturdays 9am to 6pm, and Sundays 10am to 5pm. Some individual shops and restaurants may have varying opening hours.
Getting There and Parking
The address of the Orbital Retail Park is:
Thamesdown Drive
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN25 4AN
Tel: 0808 156 5533
By Car:
Orbital Shopping Park is located in Haydon Wick, north of the M4, just off Thamesdown Drive, conveniently located for shoppers from the nearby Cotswolds and Cirencester and easily accessible for those living in the North Swindon housing developments like Tadpole Garden Village, Redhouse, Oakhurst, Priory Vale, Taw Hill, Haydon End and Abbey Meads.
By Train:
There is no train station close to Orbital Park. If you arrive in Swindon by train you would need to catch a bus to the Park, or take a taxi (a 10-minute ride). Walking would take over an hour.
By Bus:
The bus journey time between Swindon and Haydon Wick, Orbital Shopping Park is around 20 minutes and covers a distance of around 4 miles. Operated by Swindon Bus Company and Stagecoach West, the Swindon to Haydon Wick, Orbital Shopping Park bus service departs frequently from Swindon, Dean Street and arrives in Haydon Wick, Orbital Shopping Park.
There are also buses available from The Forum in Cirencester which terminate in Orbital Park.
Greenbridge Retail & Leisure Park
If you’re looking for big retail spaces you’ll find plenty just outside the town centre at Swindon’s Greenbridge Retail & Leisure Park. It’s home to some big stores like Boots, Lidl, Matalan, Argos and Curry’s, a clutch of popular fast food restaurants, a gym and bingo hall, as well as Swindon’s Empire Cinema complex.
Greenbridge is generally open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 10pm, and Sundays from 10am to 6pm, but opening times at individual establishments may vary.
Getting There and Parking
The address of Greenbridge Retail & Leisure Park is:
Drakes Way,
Swindon,
SN3 3SG
By Car:
Greenbridge is located two miles east of Swindon town centre, on Drakes Way (the A4312), at the junction with Dorcan Way (B4006).
There is ample free parking on site at Greenbridge.
By Bus or Train:
Greenbridge is within walking distance of the Swindon mainline train station and bus station. Buses run from the bus station to Greenbridge, the journey taking around 15 minutes.