Swindon is not a destination most people would travel to for its own sake, but it has its merits. The town grew rapidly around the Great Western Railway works in the 19th century, and the STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway is genuinely worth a visit if you have any interest in industrial history. The adjacent Swindon Mechanics' Institute, built by the GWR for its workers, is a handsome Victorian building that speaks to how thoroughly the railway company once ran this town.
The town has expanded enormously in recent decades, bringing traffic congestion and unremarkable retail parks. The nightlife is mainly pub-based, with the best pubs in the Old Town area. Swindon's most famous landmark is the Magic Roundabout — five mini-roundabouts arranged in a circle, a piece of traffic engineering that has achieved unlikely cult status. For a wider choice of restaurants or a proper day out, Bath and Bristol are both within easy reach. Swindon does make a practical base for exploring the Wiltshire countryside, Avebury and the Ridgeway.