Swindon is the ideal West Country touring base. Whichever way you travel out of the town, you will very shortly arrive at a site of special historic interest, or just a location for a great day out.

North of Swindon lies the Cotswolds, with the Cotswold Water Park and the Cotswold Wildlife Park just a short drive away. The picturesque town of Lechlade-on-Thames - straddling the first navigable stretch of the great river - is always worth a visit.

Choose to drive west instead, and you will soon be at Bowood House or Lacock Abbey. Take the road south and you will be travelling through the beautiful Marlborough Downs. Or choose the road south-west and visit the truly magnificent stone circle at Avebury.

East will take you into Berkshire or Oxfordshire and the magnificent ancient monument of Uffington White Horse.

It is clear that the biggest problem facing you in Swindon is that you have so many choices it is difficult to decide what to do.