I’m planning on arranging the Old Town section of the forthcoming Swindon in 25 Streets book in something of the order one might walk them. Hence we have: before we walk along High Street and round onto Wood Street we’ll take a wee detour to Market Square and The Planks. As you can see from the map below, the Planks leads off from Market Square. From 1866 part of the walkway from Market Place ran beside the Corn Exchange.
There isn’t a huge amount to say about either. But what there is needs saying as both comprise small but significant pieces of Old Swindon’s history. The latter, from the days when Old Town was Swindon, is the site of Swindon’s town hall/crumbling Corn Market and latterly the Locarno.
As for The Planks – well it’s an ancient walkway and carriageway between the Market Square and Lawn – the Goddard estate. The walkway allowed for free passage to the estate’s stables, coach houses and cottages. It also gave access to worshipers going to the old church of Holy Rood.
Frequented by horses and carriages, this walkway was prone to becoming muddy. Thus, the construction of the raised flagstone pathway and retaining wall on the north side. That meant that residents walking to church in inclement conditions didn’t arrive there with footwear and clothes muddy and wet.
The Planks
Well into the 20th century several buildings lined the walkway – the former vicarage being the most notable. The walkway began alongside the vicarage garden, almost opposite the Goddard’s family stables. This 17th century stone building became business premises in its later life, before being demolished in 1973.
In the 19th century, Lord of the Manor, Ambrose Goddard, erected posts across the way. This action resulted in an altercation between himself and William Read, surveyor to the Old Swindon Local Board
The name?
Well planks (or plankstones) is an old Wiltshire word for flagstones. Hence: The Planks. These days though, as the image shows, though the original wall remains, the walkway is now one of tarmac rather than flagstones. I’m told there’s an entry in the Old Town local board minutes for 1868 that refers to the ‘old church planks.’
Several buildings bordered the walkway well into the 20th century – most notably a former vicarage. This 17thcentury stone building underwent conversion into business premises only to be demolished in 1973.
The estate’s former stables and coach house remain though and were used as private auction rooms until closed in 2003 and then redeveloped.
Walk to the end of The Planks and turn right onto Old Mill Lane. Walk along for a few yards and on your left, butted up to some stone walling, you’ll find a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it squeeze belly stile. One Richard Jefferies, Jefferies (famed Victorian nature writer born at Coate) used this stile on his daily route from his home at the Coate farmhouse* to Old Swindon and back. Thus, this remnant of bygone days carries quite some historic significance.
As for Market Square – well that explains itself – it’s where the rotting Corn Exchange-cum-Locarno stands.
Signage on Market SquareThe Planks – sign and retaining wallThe squeeze belly stile as used by Richard JefferiesLawn – at the end of The Planks
Back in 2010, historian Frances Bevan wrote for the Swindon Advertiser, how Old Town once enjoyed a level of depravity and notoriety. Not the whole of Old Town you understand – but a notorious, nefarious, neighbourhood of Swindon’s Old Town.
As she wrote, the office block called Little London Court that you see today, stands in an area once cloaked with a dubious reputation as Old Swindon’s meanest street. And we’ll return to that. But first, we must pose the question: what’s in a name?
Little London Old Town – name on Little London Court offices
At the time, anyone wanting to reach their field, had to do so via a track called Back Lane. This lane also gave access to Albert Street, home of the Roaring Donkey pub. Part of said lane became known as London Lane. Then Little London Lane until, by 1855, it had morphed into London Street. Flanking the lane at one time, were tiny cottages into which the labouring poor crammed themselves.
Little London back lane – the rear of Albert Street
Mark Child also tells how, by the mid-1800s the southern end of Albert Street, Little London and back lane were, in effect, a single thoroughfare. Albeit one that only its residents would set foot on. And that further, from 1879, the area included a terrace of seven cottages, built off at right-angles to the east and named Victory Row. Before meeting its reckoning with the wrecking ball in the 1960s, it had upon it, Swindon’s last thatched cottage.
The last thatched cottage on Little London demolished in the 1960s – seen in Local Studies
To be a pilgrim
Mean this lane may have been. But it’s believed that the street sat on the site of the old Pilgrim’s Way that ran from Wanborough through Swindon. It also served as the most direct route for travellers between Devizes and Cricklade. Further, the lane was likely to have been a stagecoach route when Cricklade Street, the erstwhile Brock Hill, became impassable in bad weather.
1877 saw a total of twenty-seven houses. With occupants recorded as being a haulier, a charwoman, two grocers, a baker and a chimney sweep.
Anyway! As well and good as all this is, I’m sure that what you all really, really want to know is more about the depravity, the debauchery and the insanitary.
The juicy bits
Returning to Frances’ account then we learn of one George T Clark, a Board of Health Officer who, in 1851, published a damning report. It noted the lack of a sewer system with effluent from houses draining into cesspools. He further noted blood flowing down Newport Street from the slaughter houses, tainted water on Prospect Place and a filthy open pit on Albert Street. 1848 saw the local doctor laid low with Typhus fever – and one house in Cricklade Street had five children die during a seven-week period.
As I’ve said elsewhere in this tome, so much for the good old days!
Albert Street, built circa 1848 and named for Queen Victoria’s husband, had the dubious honour of being mid-Victorian, Old Swindon’s, red-light district. At the centre of this vortex of dissolution was the Rhinoceros public house – once described in court as the most notorious inn in town, frequented as it was by beggars, thieves and prostitutes. A well-known song by Cher rather springs to mind.
Long-gone the Rhinoceros may be but standing firm is The Roaring Donkey. Beginning life as the Heart in Hand it became the Rising Sun and then the Roaring Donkey. Legend has it that this name arose from its proximity to the printing presses in the nearby Swindon Advertiser offices and the ‘Hee Haw, Hee Haw’ sound they made. Someone would shout ‘back to work lads, the donkey is roaring’. The pub didn’t officially adopt the name until the 1990s despite being known as such for many years.
Trying to make a difference
One person who tried to make a difference in this den of iniquity was Italian Angelo Vitti. Born in Sette Frate, a small village in the Province of Frosinone, just south of Rome, Vitti came to England in the early 1890s. He bought the former Rhinoceros, by then a lodging house, and eventually bought up the adjoining cottages too. But Angelo Vitti wasn’t the first to rent out rooms at the premises in Albert Street. In 1881 Sarah White was the lodging house keeper at number 25 and 26 Albert Street. She counted among her lodgers, musicians John Lewis, Henry Culverwell and John Fliseney.
Swindon has lost a colourful and romantic personality by the death of Mr Angelo Vitti,’ the Advertiser reported following Angelo’s death on Sunday, April 21, 1940. As a lodging house proprietor, he became the friend, and earned the respect, of thousands of men and women, a genuine family man and a friend of poor people.’
SWINDON-BASED Let’s Create art club continues its commitment to provide children and young people with artistic and creative opportunities this Easter with holiday art camp.
Let’s Create Art Club, founded in 2020, by artist and mum, Rachel Bray, allows children to explore:
painting
drawing
sculpture and design
And all in a safe, fun, and pressure-free environment through after-school sessions, Saturday morning art clubs and holiday art camps. All aimed at children ranging from four to twelve.
‘Running Art Camp is one of my favourite things to do at Let’s Create. As an artist and mum, I know first-hand how powerful and important creativity can be for a child. For their confidence, resilience and well-being,’ explains Rachel.
Rachel, born and raised in Swindon, started Let’s Create Art Club after witnessing the after-school club industry dominated by sports clubs. And how art gets side-lined in busy family life and some parents avoiding the creative ‘mess’ at home.
Art Club for Easter – young people at Swindon’s Let’s Create Art Club as they open their doors for their Easter Art Camp.
Pressure valve
‘In the holidays, the pressure can mount for families across the county to provide engaging and creative experiences whilst minimising screen time. All whilst they are likely juggling work. That’s where our holiday art camps come in. To provide an outlet of creativity for those who need it.’
For the past few years, the Let’s Create Art Club has provided holiday art camps in West Swindon. Some parents have travelled from as far as Ramsbury for their children to access the classes and this year is going to be bigger than ever.
The Easter programme
Their Easter programme consists of:
artist-led art activities
games and outdoor play
along with free creative time for children to explore their own imaginations and different mediums during the school holidays.
Children can follow their curiosity, try new things, work alone, as well as in a team, guided by an artist.
‘Our holiday art camps are a lot of fun and very special because they allow the children the time and freedom that creativity needs. Watching their confidence grow across the day or week is amazing. My goal has always been to create a space where children feel safe to express themselves and make friends. And leave feeling proud of themselves as much as what they’ve made.
Their Easter art camp will take place in West Swindon from 31st March – 10th April 2026.
‘Art Camp gives children the time, space and support to express themselves and explore ideas without any pressure on the outcome and make new friends,’ commented Rachel. ‘I’m privileged to be able to help children experience how to have fun with art and to create great childhood memories.’
Let’s Create Art Club is a member of the Institute of Children’s Activity Providers (ICAP). That ensures the club meets high standards for safety, inclusion and engagement. They celebrated being finalists at the ICAP Awards 2025, in their ‘Rising Star – Outstanding achievement in Growth and Visions for the Future’ category.
Malmesbury Launches Visitor Guide. The Malmesbury Town Team has launched the new official visitor guide to the town. It includes a fold-out map featuring local attractions and landmarks such as the Abbey, Market Cross and the scenic river walk.
As well as places to stay, eat and shop, the guide lists key 2026 festivals and events by season. So that’s such things as:
The Thomas Hobbes Festival
EAT:Malmesbury this Spring
The new Malmesbury River Festival and Carnival in the Summer,
Wessex Week and the Flying Monk Art Trail in the Autumn.
Malmesbury Launches Visitor Guide – the malmesbury visitor guide
About the guide
history
culture
nature
independent shops and plenty of interesting places to eat and drink.
We needed an appealing companion print guide to supplement online promotion of the town through the Discover Malmesbury and Visit Wiltshire websites and associated social media. Together, the print and online resources provide everything you need know to have a wonderful time here. Whether as a day visitor or on a longer-stay – for which Malmesbury provides the perfect base to explore the local area on foot, by bike or by car.’
The new visitor guide is now available from 80 tourism information outlets across the region. Counted in their number are Malmesbury’s Tourist Information Centre. And it’ll will be on the Great West Way stand at the British Tourism and Travel Show at the NEC Birmingham later this month.
n 2025, the town received the Sunday Times title of best place to live in Wiltshire, along with one of the best places to live in the UK. So the town team intends to build on that success in 2026 and attract more visitors from near and far. As David comments:
‘We love our town and its beautiful setting, unique history and vibrant community. The future prosperity of the town, its businesses and its leisure and cultural offer, depends on encouraging both visitors and residents to spend locally. We can’t afford to remain a best-kept secret.’
An aerial of Malmesbury Abbey and the market cross.
A wonder …
Having uploaded this post about Malmesbury, I can’t help but think if only we had a visitor guide – and a spot on the Great West Way stand at the NEC for the British tourism and travel show.
Anyway, on the topic of tourism and culture in Swindon please see:
Also – did you know that I’ve written a Born Again Swindonian’s guide book? I guess it’s an alternative guide book …
The central thrust of this book is that of opening eyes, heart and mind to what’s around you. If I want to convey ONE thing with the book it’s this:
That EVEN IF a building, a piece of sculpture, a street, a park bench – whatever it might happen to be – is neglected etc – that doesn’t mean you can’t find beauty, or at least interest, in it. That doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of your attention and consideration. It’s about finding joy in the everyday rather than seeking the big and the spectacular.
In the wake of lengthy and persistent issues with a Swindon pharmacy, it’s now reopened with new management. And a new name: Okus Pharmacy and Health Clinic.
Patients of Okus Pharmacy and Health Clinic on Curie Avenue noticed issues with staffing and stock supply last year in the weeks before Jhoots closed the premises in November. But, in good news for patients and residents, former locum pharmacist Tanvir Ali has now taken charge. He’s sorted out the issues and welcomed visitors back into the health hub.
New Pharmacy at Okus – the official opening ceremony
The 28-year-old invited friends, family, and local dignitaries to mark the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, February 23. He said: ‘It feels great that everyone has come out to support us.
‘People are welcome to call or come in if they have any questions. Also we’re open to suggestions for what they’d like to see here.’ I want to:
Provide a good continuity of care for the community
Let the public know we’re open …
… and work with the surgery to ensure everyone gets looked after as they should be.
If you live in that area you’ll find the chemist next door to Old Town surgery. As the practice manager, Hayley Slatter observed: ‘This is such a positive development for our patients. Towards the end, the pharmacy offered a service pared to the bone. There were several issues but it’s now all as it should be.
What the pharmacy offers
Here you’ll find:
Blood pressure tests
Contraception
Pharmacy First services
Mayor Fay Howard performed the ribbon cutting ceremony to an accompaniment of cheers and applause from the gathered crowd. She said: It’s fantastic to have a well-stocked pharmacy like this on-site and to celebrate new things in Swindon.’
Mayor Fay Howard, Cllr Abdul Ali and MP for Swindon South, Heidi Alexander
A vital service
It’s great all round that the good people of Okus now have a a decent pharmacy. Your pharmacist offers much more than dispensing prescriptions and selling packets of Paracetamol.
