Bridgemead

Settlement in Wiltshire

England

Bridgemead

Waitrose, Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon This rather futuristic looking building is Swindon&#039;s first Waitrose supermarket, which opened in April 2014. Built on former farmland, it is at the moment almost in the middle of nowhere. But the mainly residential area known as Wichelstowe continues to be developed and before long the building will be adjacent to large numbers of houses. On the building&#039;s west side is an attractively restored section of the long closed Wilts &amp; Berks Canal. Wichelstowe seems to be the general name given to the land between the old railway line skirting Swindon&#039;s Old Town and the M4 motorway. It used to be described as Swindon&#039;s front garden and the Borough Council years ago promised it would never be built on. A policy which was soon reversed. — Waitrose, Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon Credit: P L Chadwick

Bridgemead is a small neighborhood located in the county of Wiltshire, England. Situated on the outskirts of Swindon, Bridgemead is a primarily residential area known for its peaceful atmosphere and close-knit community.

The neighborhood is characterized by its picturesque surroundings, with plenty of green spaces and parks, making it an ideal location for families and nature enthusiasts. One of the notable features of Bridgemead is the River Ray that flows through the area, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy scenic walks and wildlife spotting.

In terms of amenities, Bridgemead is well-served by a range of facilities. The neighborhood boasts a popular shopping center, which includes a supermarket, various retail outlets, and a selection of eateries. Additionally, there are several schools in the vicinity, providing education options for families with children.

Transportation links in Bridgemead are convenient, with regular bus services connecting the neighborhood to Swindon town center and other surrounding areas. The nearby M4 motorway allows for easy access to other parts of the country, including Bristol and London.

Overall, Bridgemead is a tranquil and family-friendly neighborhood that offers a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for its residents. Its proximity to Swindon and its beautiful natural surroundings make it a desirable place to live within the county of Wiltshire.

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Bridgemead Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.558308/-1.8138459 or Grid Reference SU1384. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Waitrose, Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon

This rather futuristic looking building is Swindon's first Waitrose supermarket, which opened in April 2014. Built on former farmland, it is at the moment almost in the middle of nowhere. But the mainly residential area known as Wichelstowe continues to be developed and before long the building will be adjacent to large numbers of houses. On the building's west side is an attractively restored section of the long closed Wilts & Berks Canal. Wichelstowe seems to be the general name given to the land between the old railway line skirting Swindon's Old Town and the M4 motorway. It used to be described as Swindon's front garden and the Borough Council years ago promised it would never be built on. A policy which was soon reversed.

P L Chadwick

Wilts & Berks Canal by Waitrose Supermarket, Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon

This section of the long closed Wilts & Berks Canal has been restored and runs alongside the new Waitrose store which opened in April 2014. The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust operates a trip boat which stops here. In the distance is a new bridge which was required to carry a new road across the canal. SU1382 : New bridge over Wilts & Berks Canal, Foxham Way, Wichelstowe, Swindon.

P L Chadwick

New bridge over Wilts & Berks Canal, Foxham Way, Wichelstowe, Swindon

This recently constructed bridge carries Foxham Way over a restored section of the Wilts & Berks Canal. Also restored is the canal's towpath, which can be seen on the left, behind the railings. SU1382 : Wilts & Berks Canal by Waitrose Supermarket, Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon.

P L Chadwick

Restored section of Wilts & Berks Canal, near Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon

This restored section of canal is near to the Waitrose supermarket in Mill Lane. The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have a trip boat which stops here. Some years ago the only trace of a canal here was a faint indentation in the ground although there was a little used public right of way over the route of the former towpath, on the other side of the canal. That towpath has also been restored.

P L Chadwick

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust information board, near Mill Lane, Wichelstowe, Swindon

This information board, adjacent to the canal and the Waitrose supermarket, gives some details of the ambitious plans for further restoration of the canal in Swindon.

P L Chadwick

Glass roof in the Great Western Outlet Village

Steve Daniels

Heelis

Heelis is the headquarters of the National Trust. There is a shop and a cafe for the general public.

Steve Daniels

The Church of St Marks at Swindon

Viewed from the north-east.

Peter Wood

Highworth Breakers from railway line

Graffiti adorns the walls that surround Highworth Breakers, looking towards Brindley Close.

Clint Mann

Steam, Museum of the Great Western Railway

After heavy rain had just passed, on the day the National Trust held its AGM in the museum.

Chris Morgan

Heelis

The National Trust's headquarters opposite Steam, the Great Western Railway Museum where their Annual General Meeting was being held. The sun has returned after a morning of very heavy rain.

Chris Morgan

Steam Museum

don cload

New signal gantry to accommodate electrification, Swindon station

The new signal gantry is higher than the old one, see SU1485 : Signal gantry, Swindon railway station. Also, there is now a signal on the platform, as the ones on the gantry are too high for the driver to see when the train is in the station.

Vieve Forward

Brickwork on the skew railway bridge over the Wilts & Berks Canal

The skew bridge was built to carry the Midland and South Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR) across the Wilts & Berks canal. The bridge and this section of the canal have been restored by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. Link

Vieve Forward

Mechanics' Institute, Swindon

This was opened in 1854 in the Railway Village to serve as a library, community centre, market place and forum for grievances, among others. It was built as a result of the efforts of the railway company's workers rather than as a benevolent action by the company. It has been claimed it was used to train apprentices but this was a use it never had. As can be seen, it is very sadly deteriorated but there is a trust with ambitious plans for its future and it is to be hoped that this very important link to the past can be saved.

Chris Allen

The Great Western Underpass

This once provided passage for railway workers from the railway village to the GWR's Swindon works. It now mainly carries shoppers between the town centre and the designer outlet village. It also gives access, for lesser numbers, to the Steam Museum and the National Monuments Record Centre.

Chris Allen

Former railway works - redevelopment

Another corner of the once vast Swindon Works is being converted to houses. I believe the former chain testing shop is in this area and I believe it is to be preserved, at least in part. See an earlier view from a slightly different angle - SU1485 : Former GWR Works, Swindon.

Chris Allen

Old Railway Quarter redevelopment, Swindon

One of the original buildings from the Great Western Railway's massive locomotive works. This is being converted to apartments but does include a Listed chain test house that is to be preserved. This includes a hydraulic chain tester with a 130 ton pull and I look forward to seeing this one day.

Chris Allen

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Bridgemead is located at Grid Ref: SU1384 (Lat: 51.558308, Lng: -1.8138459)

Unitary Authority: Swindon

Police Authority: Wiltshire