The Dolphin Hotel, 177 Rodbourne Road, Rodbourne

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 12 Dec 2008

This pub was opened by the local Arkells Brewery in 1873, and has remained an Arkells pub ever since. Originally its main customers were the railwaymen from the nearby railway works. Before the works closed the Rodbourne area was mainly populated by railway workers. Today it retains much of the feel of that era with its wooden floors, pool table and other trappings of the traditional town pub. The website of the brewery expresses the hope that visitors to the nearby Swindon Designer Outlet will find the Dolphin a place to relax after their shopping. However the majority of people buying upmarket designer goods and clothes are probably unlikely to stray into the decidedly non-upmarket environment of the Dolphin, particularly when everything they want in the way of refreshment can be found on site at the Designer Outlet. More information about the Dolphin: http://www.arkells.com/pubs_more2.php?id=603

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