Then And Now

This section of the site is provided in partnership with The Swindon Society and The Richard Jefferies Society. It enables you to see how the surrounding area used to look and learn more about your town. We are adding value by providing a current photograph taken as far as possible from the same position. The project involves a fair bit of detective work, so if you can add or correct information, please get in touch. This is your site, so if you would like to get involved in extending this project, please let us know.

Title Description Datesort icon
Station Road, GWR station 1880

New Swindon's original station, designed and built by J&C Rigby on franchise from Isambard Brunel and the Great Western Railway it opened in 1842

 July 1, 1880 Then
Rodbourne Road, The Dolphin Public House, Advertisement 1884

Advertisement for Dolphin from 1884 outlining the attractions as seen at the time

 January 1, 1884 Then
Milton Road, View of New Swindon 1885

A View of New Swindon looking towards the Wesleyan Chapel with canal and track in the foreground, later Milton Road

 January 1, 1885 Then
High Street, Goddard Arms, 1885

Old Town's landmark hotel in 1885, Zephaniah Dodson was an early Swindon photographer with premises in Victoria Street. Note the extensive advertising for Howes and Dodson's Great American Circus, which would have been quite an event for local residents at that time

 June 1, 1885 Then
High Street, Wood Street, Wilts and Dorset Bank 1885

The imposing building on the corner of High Street and Wood Street as it originally was; - the Wiltshire and Dorset Bank. The large man on the left is William Morris, founder of the Swindon Advertiser in 1854

 June 1, 1885 Then