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About this place
Swindon Town Hall is a former municipal building in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. It was completed in 1891 as the centrepiece of New Swindon, and today it is home to Swindon Dance, a national dance agency. The building holds Grade II listed status.
Why does Swindon have this town hall?
By the late nineteenth century Swindon consisted of two distinct areas: the hilltop Old Town and New Swindon, which grew up around the railway. The newer district needed a landmark that would give it standing, and the town hall was meant to be exactly that. It opened in 1891, although a few publications give 1892.
Who designed it?
The design came out of an architectural competition that drew 20 entries. The winner was Brightwen Binyon of Ipswich, who produced a building in the Victorian style. The main entrance porch, with its veranda, faces Regent Street, and the other doorways were also given a grand treatment.
Why was it built there?
The site was chosen for its position, roughly halfway between the Railway Village and the Old Town. It was seen as an excellent spot, both practically and symbolically, for a landmark that would anchor the new town.
What happened to its civic role?
In time, local government outgrew the building. In 1938 the council moved to newly built Civic Offices, and the hall became a former town hall.
What is it used for now?
Today the building houses Swindon Dance, a national dance agency. It still serves the community, though its programme is now about dance rather than council business. If you enjoy Victorian civic architecture, it is worth viewing from the outside, paying attention to the Regent Street entrance.
Frequently asked questions
When was Swindon Town Hall built? In 1891, as the centrepiece of New Swindon.
Who was the architect? Brightwen Binyon of Ipswich, who won a competition with 20 entries.
Is it still a town hall? No. The council moved to Civic Offices in 1938, and Swindon Dance now occupies the building.
Is it a listed building? Yes, it is Grade II listed.
Where is it? On Regent Street in Swindon, between the Railway Village and the Old Town.
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