Shopping in Swindon — Town Centre, Old Town & the Designer Outlet

Swindon has three quite different shopping districts, and knowing which is which saves a lot of time.

The town centre and the Brunel Centre

The Brunel Centre is the heart of Swindon's high-street shopping — a large covered centre with over 100 stores, cafes, and eateries, named after the GWR engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Around it, the pedestrianised Regent Street and The Parade carry the main run of national retailers, market stalls, and food outlets, with Wharf Green and Canal Walk providing open space and cafes.

The town centre is the most convenient district for everyday shopping, with the railway station, the Fleming Way bus station, and several large car parks — including the Brunel multi-storey — all within a few minutes' walk.

Old Town independents

For independent shopping, head up the hill to Old Town. Wood Street, Devizes Road, and Victoria Road are lined with independent delis, gift shops, a well-known independent bookshop, boutiques, barbers, and specialist food and drink. It is a more relaxed, characterful experience than the town centre and is the place to browse rather than dash.

Swindon Designer Outlet

For brands at a discount, the McArthurGlen Swindon Designer Outlet is one of the largest covered outlets in the UK. Set inside the superbly converted buildings of the old Great Western Railway works, it combines well over 100 outlet stores with the town's industrial heritage on show all around you — the original overhead cranes are still in place. There is plenty of free parking and a food court, making it an easy all-weather day out.

Markets

Swindon has a regular outdoor market in the town centre, and the nearby market towns of Highworth and Royal Wootton Bassett both hold their own traditional markets — Royal Wootton Bassett's Wednesday market dates back to 1219.