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). However its 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
• 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.

Buses to Old Town

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. Please note: As of 14 August 2023, the Service 22 is not running as a through route from Old Town-town centre- rail station due to a road closure on Corporation Street (between Manchester Road - Fleming Way (Whalebridge junction). Further updates will be posted here.

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.

The services 11 and 12 are also on diversion to overcome the closure of Corporation Street, diverting via Manchester Road, County Road and Fleming Way to pickup its regular route along Princes Street bound for Old Town, and vice versa for the town centre and Swindon rail station (https://www.swindonbus.co.uk/coporation-street-closing-14th-august-find-out-where-catch-your-bus).

This follows on 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.

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.

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