Fleming Way Swindon Centre 1962-1965 – from barges to buses.
Running through the centre of Swindon, Fleming Way takes its name from one of Swindon’s greatest footballers: Harold John Fleming (1887-1955). This road starts at the junction with Milford Street and then runs along to the Magic Roundabout and County Road. That marvellous, Magimix of a traffic system sits in front of the County Ground football stadium. There, of course, Harold’s feet performed footballing feats.
The very name Canal Walk is a stonking big clue to the history lying, literally, beneath it. Yet there’s no sense now, murals and markers in the paving aside (see below), that Fleming Way too sits atop an old canal route. But walk from the Debenhams building on the Parade and proceed in the direction of the Zurich building and then along to County Road and the Magic Roundabout and you trace the route of the Wilts and Berks canal.
Note though that the Debenhams building marks the point where the W&B met the North Wilts canal. See Canal Walk for more on that.
In Swindon Decoded, John Chandler writes that the construction of Fleming Way along the line of the lost canal comprised an attempt to keep cars and shoppers apart. An idea much favoured by 1960s town planners it seems.
So Swindon’s shopping streets became pedestrianised and cars found themselves diverted along this new, elevated roadway into multi-storey car parks. But it’s now all change. Fleming Way, or the £33 million bus boulevard if we’re going to get pretentious about it, has undergone remodelling into a vehicle for pedestrians, cyclists and buses. But no cars. It’s been controversial to say the least – but I like it. I was sceptical at first, I won’t lie but I’m now a convert. It’s attractive and it does enhance the pedestrian flow into The Parade, the entry point to the town centre from the bus interchange.
Overhead shot of Fleming Way, Swindon courtesy of Jason Spickett featuring the Zurich building, Unity Place.Bus boulevard aka Fleming Way Swindon
In the before times
The wonderful Local Studies department of the central library has in its repository a series of Garrard journals.
Volume 3, December 1957 – June 1961 has much to say about the building of Fleming Way. It states how, during the years of the 1914-1918 war, this comprised a stretch of the once important canal. It goes on to explain how, for many years after, it remained a stagnant, weed and debris filled pool. One that barred access to the Garrard factory beyond a circuitous route over either the York Road or Whale Bridges.
It seems that, over the years, enough stone and rubble got dumped to make a rough, temporary surface.
With authorisation from the Ministry of Transport, December 1958 though saw a start made on implementing a long-standing need. At the time of writing of this journal construction was almost complete on one section of Fleming Way adjacent to the Garrard factory. But of course, there was much more to be done.
This image from a 1969-1970 edition of the Civic News shows a before and after of the York Road bridge. See the entry for Canal Walk for how it looks today.
Things to look out for
Standing on the right-hand side of the road, as if you’re walking down towards the entry into the town centre, across the road is the Leonardo Hotel. Opposite that is the famous Golden Lion Bridge mural painted by Ken White in 1976 and refreshed by Tim Carroll in 2025.
The Golden Lion Bridge Mural Swindon. First painted by Ken White in 1976
Stroll down the road and look out for markers in the paving denoting where the Queenstown and Whale bridges once stood.
Whalebridge pavement marker on Fleming Way, SwindonQueenstown bridge pavement marker on Fleming Way, Swindon
Lower down, before the left turn into The Parade, you pass the erstwhile Debenhams building – Bon Marche in the first instance. The legend Bon Marche remains but I note that someone has removed the brass that the letters were made from. Curious …
Ghostly Bon Marche letters with the brass removed on the side of the old Debenhams building
Returning to the Leonardo end of Fleming Way, proceed towards County Road and the Magic Roundabout and you’ll come across numerous murals – all outputs from Swindon Paintfest.
York Road Bridge mural – Dayna Baxter and the late Paul Exton.View of Fleming Way courtesy of Swindon Borough Council
After their successful relaunch in early 2026, The Care Show (Swindon) returns this autumn for its second event of 2026.
The Care Show Swindon is an expo that highlights providers of care and wellbeing services in Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West. It introduces the public to care services, as well as general health and wellbeing providers.
SWITCH is a collaborative environment. It’s one where health, social care and technology come together to improve outcomes for individuals and communities. By bringing The Care Show into their space at New College, the event will also offer an immersive experience. Thus allowing professionals and visitors to see, test, and understand cutting-edge technology in care.
‘We’re thrilled to be working even more closely with the SWITCH team,’ said Hannah. ‘It allows us to have more stands showcasing the different businesses that can support people with their care needs. Our change of venue is on a bus route so those who can’t or don’t drive can get to us. And, also for that reason, the show will take place on a Saturday. The college has an interactive room where people can take part in different types of games. And our keynote speakers will focus on different aspects of care.’
David Panes is a lecturer in health and care at New College. He said: “This partnership highlights the importance of embedding innovation directly within care settings. Attendees benefit from meaningful engagement with new technologies. Meanwhile providers gain valuable insight into practical implementation, integration, and impact.
‘Hosting the event with us also strengthens regional collaboration across Swindon and Wiltshire. It showcases the area as a leader in forward-thinking care and digital transformation. It supports knowledge sharing, inspires new partnerships, and accelerates the adoption of solutions that can enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and support the workforce.’
Ownership of the Care Show
Hannah and Kevin, who live in Swindon and North Wiltshire, took ownership of The Care Show Swindon last year. It came after having personal experiences of how complex the sector is to navigate for everyday people.
Care Show Gets New Venue – Hannah Edwards and Kevin Fisher, organisers of the care show
‘Before I ran my own administration and social media company, I worked as a carer for several years,’ said Hannah, who lives in Gorse Hill. ‘I loved my job. But I saw it all: the good, the bad and the ugly. Care is important for us all and yet it’s rarely joined up. It’s difficult to know what you are – or aren’t entitled to. And it’s hard to find out what services are available. We all need care at some point in our lives even if it’s us taking care of our mental health or our wellbeing.’
They want to change how people view accessing care services and highlight the important role they hold within the community.
Kevin, who lives in Malmesbury, said: ‘For too long, social care and wellbeing have been seen as second-class services. When in fact they’re so important for us all. Hosting an event like this is about making a difference to people’s lives. It will highlight the amazing care and wellbeing services that we have in the community and beyond.’
They have set out to make October’s event more accessible than ever and the show will mix the old and the new.
‘We have returning care companies, will writers and financial planners and Vino the therapy horse is returning,’ said Kevin.
‘The industry is huge. So it’s important people know their options and know what small businesses exist in the area that can provide professional support around any care situation that they come across.’
When and where
The Care Show (Swindon) takes place on Saturday October 10 at New College Swindon, Queens Drive from 10am to 2pm. Anyone can attend regardless of whether they work in the care or wellbeing sectors or just want to learn more.
Entry is free and people must register prior to their arrival. For more information visit: https://thecareshow.co.uk/
The signing of contracts, completes the acquisition of an 8.5-acre riverside beauty spot for community use.
The successful purchase of Daniel’s Well ensures the long-term preservation of the land for residents. And secures a vital piece of the town’s scenic river walk.
The well takes its name from a 9th-century monk who famously plunged into its freezing waters. The historic site stretches from Foxley Road along the River Avon towards the bank opposite St Aldhelm’s Mead. It once comprised part of Daniel’s Well Farm.
Daniel’s Well in Public Hands – Daniel’s Well Clapper Bridge – representatives of groups involved in the purchase of the well
An alliance
Making it happen was an alliance of local groups, including:
Malmesbury Town Council
St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council
Malmesbury League of Friends, and the Malmesbury River Valleys Trust
All with support from Malmesbury Civic Trust, united to fund and back the purchase. Town Cllr Steve D’Arcy led the negotiations.
Hayley Webb, Chair, Malmesbury League of Friends said:
‘Here at the Malmesbury League of Friends, we’re delighted to have assisted in buying, what we hope will become an area of the riverbank that is accessible to all. Something for the wellbeing of the community.’
Now Malmesbury Town Council has become the official new owner, the focus moves to development of the landscape.
Cllr D’Arcy said: ‘This is an exciting development for Malmesbury, and now, with the contracts signed, we can move straight on to the next stage. That’s one of restoring and preserving this wonderful asset for the community.’
Immediate plans include tree planting, riverbank repairs, and the restoration of a flood-damaged stone clapper bridge. In the longer term, the project will open up the area to everyone by making the trails accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Cllr Roger Budgen, Chair of St Paul Malmesbury Without PC, said: ‘The acquisition of this historic piece of land has the potential to bring increased benefits to the wider community. Not least of which is the safeguarding of the much-valued pedestrian route into town for residents from Common and Foxley Roads.’
Longer term, the plan is to establish a volunteer group to manage this piece of Malmesbury’s heritage.
Canal Walk Town Centre – view from Wharf Green down towards the ParadeLOWER DOWN CANAL WALK – the Zurich building on Fleming Way looming into view
Bringing us into modern Swindon and doing exactly as that famous Ronseal advert proclaims, Canal Walk in the heart of Swindon’s town centre, follows some of the route of where the Wilts & Berks canal once ran. It’s now a pedestrianised shopping area whose paving, if you stop and look, tells some of the history of this area’s backstory.
Canal Walk Swindon – some of the paving telling the canal storyOverhead shot of Wharf Green & a section of Canal Walk courtesy of Jason Spickett of Swindon from the Air The wavy line is the paving that’s inscribed with history of the Wilts & Berks canal.
Further, outside shops 2-6, just about at the crossroads where Canal Walk meets Bridge Street/Regent Street and The Parade you’ll find a 19th century milestone declaring ‘Semington 26 miles’. Given Grade II listed status in 1986, the milestone found itself removed and renovated during the Brunel Centre expansion of the 1970s. It stands now as one of the few remaining physical reminders of the canal that ran here before a 1914 act of parliament closed it.
Just around the corner from the milestone, on Bridge Street, is Carleton Atwood’s Golden Lion statue. This being a replacement for an older version, it stands near to the site of the former Golden Lion Bridge – an iron lift bridge built in the GWR Works in 1870.
The Grade II listed milestone on Canal WalkMap section showing the location of the Golden Lion Bridge
The route of the canal – and Canal Walk
Canal Walk then starts with the milestone (more or less) and continues up to Wharf Green and through the underpass under the carpark, across Milton Road and down towards Cambria Bridge. The preserved line of the filled-in canal has the backyards of houses on both of its sides. It runs all the way up to Cambria Bridge and the mural and, at length to Rushy Platt where the canal has been restored. See also Milton Road: https://swindonian.me/2026/06/05/13-milton-road-1895/
Canal Walk bridge & steps to Milton Road. Beyond the bridge is the route of the canal – now a footpath – with Cambria Bridge at the endSection of the Cambria Bridge Mural featuring a trainSection of the Cambria Bridge Mural featuring Billie Piper
The canal itself continued down what is now The Parade. The Debenhams building marks the junction with the North Wilts canal. The W&B continued along what’s now Fleming Way to where the Magic Roundabout now lies. It turned off along the boundary of St Joseph’s school and then went through Greenbridge to run alongside the A420 towards Oxford.
Going the other way from the Debenhams building, the North Wilts canal ran under the railway at the Shepard Street underpass and out through Cheney Manor, Moredon and Moulden Hill to Cricklade.
The canal and its bridges
1877 saw the building of Cambria Road bridge with Queenstown bridge being erected in 1885. While the landmark Whale Bridge roundabout (see Fleming Way for further mention of this and Queenstown bridges), commemorated another roundabout (Swindon has a few) appeared in 1893.
1907 saw the building of the York Road bridge built to link housing developments on either side of the then derelict canal. The wrecking ball paid a visit to this bridge in the 1960s during the construction of Fleming Way.
One half of the remains of the York Road bridge over the Fleming Way stretch of the canal. The mural is the work of Dayna Baxter and the late Paul Exton
A bit about the canal
In Swindon Decoded, John Chandler writes how when, in 1804, this portion of the canal was under construction (and for some decades afterwards) open countryside lay on both sides. There was, he writes, but a mere glimpse of civilization in the form of Old (High) Swindon on the hill to the left and a small number of buildings at Even Swindon to the right.
From 1840 rows and rows of houses started spreading across the fields between the canal and the new railway tracks. Soon they transformed the landscape until, by the 1890s, the canal’s useful life had come to an end. A victim of its own success if you will, the canal became irrelevant. It’s course through Swindon had become both an inconvenience and a health hazard thus 1914 saw the borough council buy the Swindon portion and fill it in.
More for Less for Families. South Swindon Parish Council is making summer entertainment more affordable! They’re reducing ticket prices for children and families across its programme at the Town Gardens Bowl. It’s all part of the government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative.
More for Less for Families at the town gardens bowl
The programme
There’s an exciting programme from which to choose. There’s:
live music
theatre
comedy and family entertainment taking place throughout the summer
And the Parish Council is ensuring that even more local families can enjoy unforgettable experiences at one of Swindon’s most iconic outdoor venues.
The reduced pricing applies to a range of family-friendly events throughout the season. Thus making it easier for parents and carers to enjoy quality time together, with some tickets now as low as £3.50 per child.
The Town Gardens Bowl summer programme features something for all ages including:
family theatre
Family theatre
Children’s live entertainment
Music events
Comedy and tribute performances
All alongside headline concerts in the beautiful surroundings of the historic Town Gardens.
Firm faves
The 2026 programme includes favourites such as:
Rock the Tots
Comedy Club 4 Kids
Alice in Wonderland
The family magic show
Kapow wrestling
All alongside a packed programme of live music and theatre.
Councillor John Firmin, Chair of the Events Working Party at South Swindon Parish Council, said:
‘We know that the summer holidays can be an expensive time for families. We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy fantastic live entertainment right here in Swindon. By supporting the government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative, we’re pleased to offer reduced ticket prices that help make our events even more accessible.
The Town Gardens Bowl has a long tradition of bringing people together through culture and entertainment. And we look forward to welcoming even more families through our gates this summer.’
The discounted ticket prices form part of the Parish Council’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality cultural experiences for local residents while encouraging families to make the most of the summer holidays.
Tickets are on sale now. and families Book early – it’s expected that many events will sell out fast.
For full event listings, updated ticket prices and to book, visit the Parish Council’s online box office:
