If you enjoy reading please consider “buying me a pint”, this will help to cover my hosting and image hosting and help to ensure further trips can go ahead!
BUY ME A PINT
More Than Just a Railway Town – Exploring Swindon’s Pub Scene
Swindon turned out to be a brilliant day exploring a mix of historic pubs, modern taprooms and independent breweries. From the railway heritage of the Great Western Hotel and The Glue Pot to the growing beer scene in Old Town, every stop had its own story and personality. I enjoyed meeting some lovely people along the way, including Jamie, Kate and James, who all made me feel very welcome. There was a fantastic choice of cask and keg beers throughout the day, with plenty of local brews to try. It was another great reminder of just how strong and varied Swindon’s independent pub scene has become.
Swindon’s story stretches back to Saxon times, when it was a small hilltop settlement that later became a market town. Everything changed in the 1840s when the Great Western Railway chose Swindon as the home of its locomotive works. Thousands of people moved here for work, and a brand new railway town quickly grew alongside the original Old Town. For more than a century, the railway shaped everyday life before the works finally closed in 1986. Since then, Swindon has continued to grow and reinvent itself, blending its rich railway heritage with modern businesses, shopping, museums and a thriving independent food and drink scene.
Great Western Hotel
I kicked off the day at Great Western Hotel by Arkells Brewery. Standing opposite Swindon railway station, the GW has welcomed travellers for well over 150 years. Arkell’s bought the site in 1869 and built the Great Western Hotel, its first purpose-built pub, taking advantage of the growing railway traffic. The building soon expanded, with extra bedrooms added in 1904, and remained a hotel until 1973. Over the years it traded as the Noah’s Ark and later the Flag and Whistle before returning to its historic Great Western name following major refurbishments, including one completed in 2015. Today, the GW continues its long tradition of welcoming both locals and visitors arriving by train.
Inside offers plenty of space, with a series of connected rooms giving you lots of choice over where to sit. Large sash windows bring in plenty of natural light, while wood flooring, comfortable seating and a clean, modern finish create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Railway heritage is reflected in model locomotives, railway artwork and historic photographs, adding character without dominating the space. Outside, there’s a spacious paved beer garden with plenty of seating, including covered tables beneath a timber gazebo, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a drink when the weather is good.
2 cask ales from Arkells available on the bar, along with a wide variety of keg options. I went for Showboater by Arkell’s Brewery, an English pale ale with light biscuit malt, gentle honeyed sweetness and a smooth, easy-drinking finish.
The Glue Pot
A short 10 minute walk in brought me onto The Glue Pot. The Glue Pot stands at the heart of Swindon’s historic Railway Village, in a Grade II listed building that was originally built in 1846–47 by the Great Western Railway as a shop with living accommodation. It became a beer house in the 1850s, originally trading as the London Stout House, before officially adopting the name The Glue Pot in 1950. The unusual name comes from carriage works craftsmen who brought their pots of heated glue into the pub to keep them warm during work breaks. Today, it remains the last surviving pub in the Railway Village, proudly reflecting an important part of Swindon’s railway heritage.
Inside has a traditional, welcoming feel that’s full of character. Dark wood panelling, high-backed wooden booth seating and a classic timber bar give the pub a timeless look, while framed pictures and historic touches add interest to the walls. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, making the different seating areas feel bright and comfortable during the day. The layout creates a mix of sociable spaces and quieter corners, making it easy to settle in for a while. Outside, there’s a good-sized seating area with several picnic benches, providing a pleasant spot to enjoy a drink in the sunshine.
A great line up of 7 cask ales to choose from, offering a range of styles. Along with a great cider selection. I went for Calypso by Hop Back Brewery, an English pale ale with delicate apple, pear and stone fruit flavours from Calypso hops and an exceptionally easy-drinking finish.
The Drink Valley
Heading back into Swindon Town Centre brought me next to The Drink Valley. Drink Valley occupies a modern commercial unit in Fleet Street Square, part of the wider regeneration of Swindon town centre during the early 21st century. Unlike many of the town’s older pubs, the building was not originally designed as a public house, instead forming part of a mixed-use retail and leisure development. In late 2021, the unit was converted into a brewery tap and bar, giving the space an entirely new purpose. While the building itself has only a short history, its transformation has helped bring independent hospitality back to this part of the town, adding another chapter to the continuing evolution of central Swindon.
Inside has a bright, modern feel with plenty of space to relax. The long seating area is filled with wooden tables, comfortable chairs and high stools, while large windows along one side let in lots of natural light. Warm lighting, exposed pipework and simple décor give it an industrial look without losing its welcoming atmosphere. Behind the bar, a separate brewery room lets you see the stainless steel brewing equipment where the beer is made on site. Outside, there’s a good-sized seating area at the front with picnic benches, colourful planters and parasols, making it a pleasant place to enjoy a drink on a sunny day.
A fantastic selection of both cask and keg beers on the bar, showcasing lots of beers brewed right on the premises. I went for Against the Grain by The Drink Valley, a golden ale with light citrus hop flavours, gentle biscuit malt and a crisp, refreshing finish.
The Tuppenny
I jumped on the bus to Swindon Old Town for my next few visits, starting with The Tuppenny. Tuppenny occupies 58–59 Devizes Road in Swindon’s Old Town, a building that spent many years as a neighbourhood hairdresser before being given a new lease of life. The premises were carefully converted and reopened as Tuppenny in November 2016, retaining an important commercial unit on one of Old Town’s best-known streets. Its name is inspired by the Victorian phrase “tuppenny gin”, giving a subtle nod to Britain’s drinking history. Since opening, Tuppenny has become part of the continuing revival of Old Town, helping bring more independent businesses to the area while preserving the everyday character of this long-established local building.
Inside has a warm, relaxed feel with a mix of traditional pub character and modern touches. The long wooden bar is the centrepiece, topped with a bar top made from copper 2p coins beneath a clear finish, making it one of the pub’s most distinctive features. Dark blue walls, parquet flooring and soft lighting create a cosy atmosphere, while wooden tables and chairs are spread across several seating areas, including a small raised stage used for live music and events. Large front windows bring in plenty of natural light, and shelves displaying bottles and framed posters add colour and personality without making the space feel cluttered.
It was fantastic to meet and chat with Jamie in here. Drinks wise a great selection on the bar of 3 cask ales and a huge fantastic selection of keg options to choose from. Even more choice in the well stocked can and bottle fridges next to the bar. I went for Irk Street Pale by Blackjack Brew Co., an English pale ale with citrus hop flavours and a clean, refreshing finish.
The Pulpit
Over the road was The Pulpit. The Pulpit stands at 7 Devizes Road in Swindon’s Old Town, a road that has become one of the town’s best-known spots for independent pubs. The building has had an unusual past, including a period as an adult shop, before it was transformed into The Hop in 2012, becoming Swindon’s first micropub and helping kick-start the real ale revival along Devizes Road. It became The Little Hop in 2019 when The Hop moved next door to larger premises, and in 2025 it entered a new chapter as The Pulpit. Today, the building continues to play an important part in Old Town’s thriving independent pub scene.
Inside is compact but makes clever use of its space, creating a relaxed atmosphere that’s easy to enjoy. The central wooden bar is the focal point, with high stools around it and a mix of tables and chairs spread across the room. Exposed brickwork, painted teal walls and worn wooden floors give the pub plenty of character, while warm pendant lighting and framed pictures add to its welcoming feel. Large front windows bring in lots of natural light and provide a great spot to watch the world go by. It’s a friendly, comfortable place that’s easy to settle into for a pint and a chat.
A great line up on the bar with 4 cask ales, a still cider and a choice of keg options showcasing different styles. I went for Bloom by Field + Theory Brew Co., a golden ale with light citrus flavour and a crisp, refreshing finish.
The Hop Inn
A few doors down was The Hop Inn. The Hop Inn has been part of Swindon’s Old Town pub scene since 2019, when it moved into larger premises at 8 Devizes Road. The building itself has a much longer story, opening as the Britannia beerhouse in 1847 before being bought by the North Wilts Brewery in 1870 and renamed the Fountain. More recently it traded as the Pig on the Hill before becoming the Hop Inn. The business itself began in 2012 a couple of doors away as Swindon’s first micropub, helping kick-start the area’s modern real ale revival. Today, the historic building continues to thrive as a popular independent pub.
Inside is much larger than it first appears, with a series of connected rooms that each have their own character. The long wooden bar is the focal point, surrounded by warm timber floors, colourful walls and a good mix of tables, benches and comfortable seating. Artwork, fairy lights and quirky decorative touches add plenty of personality without making the pub feel cluttered. Towards the back, there’s a bright gallery-style room with additional seating, while doors open onto a spacious enclosed beer garden filled with picnic benches. It feels friendly, informal and somewhere that’s easy to settle into for a leisurely pint.
Was great chatting to Kate in here. Drinks wise a great line up of 5 cask ales, a large selection of ciders and a brilliant keg line up. I went for Modus Mosaic by Marble Beers, an American pale ale with fresh citrus and tropical fruit flavours and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Hop Kettle Tap & Brew
Over the road in Swindon brought me onto Hop Kettle Tap & Brew. Tap & Brew opened in December 2019, bringing a fresh independent venue to Swindon’s popular Devizes Road. It occupies a building that was previously home to a flower shop before being transformed by Hop Kettle Brewery into its first dedicated taproom. As Old Town’s craft beer scene has grown, Tap & Brew has become an important part of the area, with an experimental brewery later added on site and a refurbishment completed in 2024. The first floor has also been expanded to provide extra customer space, helping the venue continue to grow while giving an older commercial building a new lease of life.
Inside has a warm, modern feel with plenty of character. The long wooden bar is the focal point, while dark painted ceilings, timber panelling and industrial-style lighting give the space a relaxed atmosphere. There’s a good mix of tables, high stools and comfortable seating on the ground floor, with quieter corners tucked away at the back. Upstairs offers even more room to spread out, with simple décor, artwork and large windows bringing in plenty of natural light. Outside, the spacious beer garden has covered and open seating, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a drink when the weather is on your side.
A fantastic warm welcome from James when I arrived. Drinks wise on the bar a choice of 5 cask ales, along with a wide range of keg choices on the back bar in a range of styles. I went for Let’s Well That Ends Well by Hop Kettle Brewing Co, a hazy pale ale with juicy tropical fruit flavours and a soft, refreshing finish.
The Drink Valley – Old Town
A few doors down was The Drink Valley – Old Town. Drink Valley Old Town opened in December 2024 as the second venue from the Swindon-based Drink Valley brewery, bringing its own beers to the heart of Old Town’s popular pub scene on Devizes Road. The venue occupies the former Connie’s Chinese Restaurant, giving the long-established building a new lease of life while retaining its place within one of Swindon’s historic conservation area. Devizes Road developed during the 19th century and has long been home to shops, pubs and other independent businesses. By transforming an existing commercial property rather than building from scratch, Drink Valley has added another destination to the area’s growing reputation for independent beer venues. It has quickly become a popular stop along this well-known stretch of Old Town.
Inside has a modern, welcoming feel with plenty of seating spread through the long, open room. Colourful chairs, padded bench seating and wooden tables give you lots of choice, whether you’re calling in for a quick drink or staying a little longer. Dark painted walls, warm lighting and brewing-themed artwork create plenty of character without making the space feel gloomy, while the bar sits towards the back as the natural focal point. Outside, several picnic benches and tables provide a pleasant spot to enjoy a beer on warmer days, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.
3 cask ales on the bar to choose between alongside a wide variety of keg options on the back wall, showing off a range of different styles. I went for Blueberry Burst by The Drink Valley, a blueberry sour with juicy blueberry flavour and a crisp, tart finish.
Rusty Garage Brew Pub
My last visit in Swindon was to Rusty Garage Brew Pub. Rusty Garage Brew Pub began life as the taproom for Rusty Garage Craft Brewery, which was founded in 2020 by brewer Marek Czarnek. The original brewery tap opened on an industrial estate in August 2020 before moving to its current home on Rodbourne Road in December 2023, giving the brewery a more visible base while continuing to brew its own small-batch beers. The brewery takes its inspiration from classic motoring, with many of its beers carrying automotive-themed names. Although the building itself has no long pub history, it has quickly become a well-known stop for craft beer fans looking to enjoy beer brewed just a few steps away.
Inside has a bright, modern feel with an open layout that’s easy to settle into. Large front windows flood the space with natural light, while a mix of tables, comfortable chairs and a sofa by the window offer plenty of places to relax. The brewery sits behind glass and can be seen from much of the pub, keeping the brewing process firmly on show. Walls painted to resemble weathered rust give the interior its distinctive industrial look, while quirky motoring touches, including a pair of car seats used as seating, reinforce the brewery’s garage theme. It feels friendly, informal and somewhere that’s easy to spend a while enjoying a pint.
A great variety of keg beers on offer, all brewed on site, along with a great selection of ciders (and homemade pizzas if you are hungry). I went for Raspberry Ale by Rusty Garage Brewpub, a fruit ale with juicy raspberry flavour and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Micropub Adventures 