I am considering a job in London but I need to stay in the South West for a number of reasons.
Considering commuting by train from Swindon then biking it at the other end from Paddington.
I don't want to live in Swindon itself but really need to be close, (<5 miles) to the railway station.
Any suggestions?
Commuting via Swindon you're going to struggle to find 'nice' that close, although some of the outlying villages might suit - but you've got the fun of commuting through the middle of Swindon.
All the posh peeps commute from just up the line in Kemble where you've got lots of nice villages and Cirencester within 5 miles 🙂
I've done a lot of commuting from Kemble and it's a bit crap. When the service works it's OK but there's usually some cock up once a week. I gave up and used a motorbike instead.
Swindon is better as there are more trains (more options when stuff gets cocked up). Five miles from Swindon is still pretty much Swindon. The nearest nice(ish) places that spring to mind are Wotton Basset and Cricklade (which I guess are more than five miles but the roads are quick).
On balance I'd ride a motorbike. It's a lot quicker, cheaper and much more reliable. You'll probably die though.
Wroughton - from a bike perspective you have the ridgeway, the croft trail and Swindons finest descent, ladder lane, on your doorstep. And its all downhill to the station. Not the prettiest village but it might be worth a look. Its also a twenty minute walk to Swindon old town which is the only area in Swindon to maintain some kind of character (with the added bonus of Red Planet Bikes).
...actually, you might want to look for a place in Swindon old town. Its not your typical housing estate.
What about somewhere like Pewsey? On a mainline and London's just over an hour away and plenty of London commuters go from there. Only 30 mins from Swindon but considerably nicer and just as accessible to riding on the ridgeway/west woods plus the bonus of all of Salisbury plain on your doorstep
If it has to be Swindon then +1 for Old Town
Bishopstone's nice. Great pub, too! (Nice classic car show as well, in the pub car park!)
I read that as Snowdon . . . what a let down!!