Swindon, High Street c.1950

Photo ref: S254024

More about this scene

Looking North The main street of Old Swindon was first recorded in 1581. On the left stands the Bell Hotel, established, according to the wording over the door, in 1515; it was the departure point for the tri-weekly London coach from Swindon, and the post office in the 1830s. The Victorian shop-front of the chemist next to the hotel has now gone - the premises have been taken into an extension and courtyard for the hotel, which has been changed almost beyond recognition in recent years. It is now known as Fusion, with extra residential bedrooms and a Thai restaurant. The depot of H & G Symonds Ltd (further down the road) was the former North Wilts Brewery. Later used as an area office by Courage until 1978, the whole site has now been redeveloped as the main local branch of Barclay's Bank, although the original façade has been retained.