Local bus services in and around Swindon and North Wiltshire

There are two principal bus operators serving Swindon and the surrounding region. Swindon’s Bus Company, part of the Go Ahead Group, is the dominant operator in the Swindon urban area. Its sister company, Salisbury Reds runs the X5 route connecting Swindon, Marlborough, Pewsey, Upavon and on to Salisbury.

Stagecoach West operates a limited number of routes within Swindon itself, including Kingsdown, east Swindon, home of Arkells brewery (Service 10). This route of the Stagecoach (in Swindon) Service 10 runs from West Swindon through the town centre then works it was through Gorse Hill, Upper Stratton, Kingstown and on to North Swindon (Orbital Shopping Centre) via St Andrew’s Ridge and Tadpole Garden Village.

The Stagecoach network from Swindon also extends to settlements of interest in the branch area, including:

• Service 7 - Highworth via Stratton
• Service 9 - Wroughton (via Old Town and Wichelstowe)
• Service 46-48 – limited frequency to Wanborough, Liddington, Aldbourne and Ramsbury
• Service 49 is a scenic route which connects Swindon and Devizes via Old Town, Wroughton, Broad Hinton, Avebury and Beckhampton
. Recent enhancements to service frequencies, running every 30 minutes during the daytime Monday-Saturday, with additional services running later into the evening. Hourly timetable on a Sunday. These changes are as a result of grant funding awarded to Wiltshire Council. The last service from Swindon to Devizes operates as a Service 9. • Service 51 and Service 53 - Cricklade
• Service 55 - Royal Wootton Bassett– extending on to Lyneham, Calne and Chippenham

Coachstyle Service 99 links Swindon and Malmesbury via Royal Wootton Bassett and Brinkworth. This route also extends on to Chippenham.

To plan a journey by public transport, the Traveline website is a useful resource, which also offers details of connections available via the local rail network.

For those visiting the more rural parts of our branch such as the Pewsey Vale or the area surrounding Marlborough,, there are opportunities to make use of the demand responsive bus service, branded as Wiltshire Connect. This operation requires passengers to book their journeys in advance and further information on this service can be found on this link: https://www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/getting-around/bus/wiltshire-connect/

Buses to Old Town-town centre-Rodbourne

The Old Town of Swindon is now established as a popular destination for hospitability, with a selection of real ale pubs and a few featuring in the GBG, although it is a bit of an uphill trek.

Swindon’s Bus Company run a service from Swindon rail station to the heart of Old Town. Take the Service 22 (approximately every 30 minutes during the daytime) and alight at a bus stop just past the Hop Inn on Devizes Road.

Alternative bus services run from Swindon town centre up to Old Town. Swindon Bus Company’s Services 11 and 12 combine to give a frequency of 15 minutes during the daytime. Service 25 runs on a very limited frequency.

Please note, there are some interim changes to bus stop arrangements around Swindon town centre recently, to enable the delivery of a regeneration scheme focused on Fleming Way. These works are due to be completed in autumn 2024 and details of the temporary bus stop locations. A summary of the temporary bus stop arrangements, following recent highway works on Corporation Street, can be found at the foot of the following weblink: https://www.swindonbus.co.uk/corporation-street-reopening

Having made your way around Old Town you could enjoy a gentle stroll down the hill towards Swindon New Town (town centre) for the Beehive (Prospect Hill), Savoy - Wetherspoon (Regent Street), Wyvern Tavern (Bridge Street), The Drink Valley (Fleet Square) and Glue Pot (Emlyn Square) on your return to Swindon rail station.

DayRider tickets are available from both operators and these represent good value if making multiple journeys by bus across the course of the day. Alternatively, after 6pm there is an EveningRider ticket offer. As you may be aware, there is currently a £2 fare cap on single bus journeys as part of a government backed promotion, currently advertised to last up to 31 December 2024. For up to date fare offers, please check the respective operator websites. Contactless payments are available however you must remember to tap off at the end of your journey when making single journeys or otherwise you will be charged for the value of a DayRider ticket.

To note: For those visiting the Glue Pot and returning home from there by bus towards Rodbourne-Barnfield, North and West Swindon or on to North West Wiltshire.

The outbound routes use Faringdon Road and Park Lane instead of travelling through the Railway Village itself. The nearest bus stop for outbound bus services under these arrangements is by the Health Hydro on Faringdon Road. Inbound bus services continue as normal, via Church Place-Bristol Street and Emlyn Square.

For those wishing to check out the Rusty Garage Brewery, this establishment is now easily accessible by bus following the relocation of its brewpub setup to Rodbourne in December 2023. Take a Swindon’s Bus Company Service 5 (10 minute daytime frequency, with regular service into the evenings) bound for the Orbital Shopping Centre/Rodbourne from Swindon town centre and alight at the Summers Street bus stop on Rodbourne Road; from where the Rusty Garage is just a minute or two stroll. If travelling from Old Town, Swindon’s Bus Company Service 22 will take you as far as the Outlet Village bus stops on Penzance Drive - from there it’s approximately a 10 minute walk to Rusty Garage.

National Express Discount for CAMRA members

Please see the main CAMRA website for details of other discounts available to members such as the latest status on any savings available on National Express fares