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Yelland Walk, SWINDON, SN1 7BP

Modern housing on the East Wichel development. This is on part of what used to be called Swindon's "front garden", a phrase which is rarely heard today. It referred to the land between the former railway line in Old Town and the M4 motorway. Many years ago the Borough Council claimed that the "front garden" would never be built upon. But the policy of continuing to expand the town meant a change of view and so the development of the area is well under way, although far from finished. Despite the history, in my view the end result, with the variety of house styles, is quite appealing and certainly better than many of Swindon's older estates with their monotonous roads full of similar houses.

Examples of mobile plant being used in the construction of a new housing development. More on Wichelstowe here http://www.wichelstowe.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=1

At the time of writing the new route of the canal around Swindon doesn't extend to the east a great deal further than what can be seen in this photograph. It currently ends at Blackhorse Way (B4006). The group of houses on the left, nearest the camera, are adjacent to Mattocks Path, the others are adjacent to Yelland Walk. The canal footpath is a public footpath.

As well as a sign in the car park, the pub also has this sign above the main door in Frogden Road, with a date stone above, giving the year of opening which was 2012. Image Image

Currently this is said to be Swindon's newest pub. It has been provided by Marston's, and was opened on the 28th May 2012. Marstons are one of the few chains who are still opening new pubs, and although food-focussed, it does sell real ales and other drinks. It's a large estate type pub with an attractive exterior and interior. Image Image

Barratts are one of several other builders in a consortium that also includes Bryant Homes, George Wimpey, Bloor Homes and Sovereign Housing. More on Wichelstowe here http://www.wichelstowe.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=1 Visible on the far horizon are hangars once used at the wartime RAF Wroughton airfield but now occupied by the Science Museum.

The viewpoint is from Ewden Close looking west. More on Wichelstowe here http://www.wichelstowe.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=1

The sign is at the side of the car park where it can be seen from the main road, Blackhorse Way, which is part of the B4006. The pub is named after a plant which grows as both a shrub and a tree, and is also known by other names. It is sometimes used as a herbal medicine. Image Image

There is evidence of careful and imaginative design here in this pristine street scene. More on Wichelstowe here http://www.wichelstowe.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=1

Builders' compounds are rarely glamorous but they are functional. Here, various aggregates and blocks share space with items of plant. The bridge in the background will one day carry a footpath over the M4. More on the Wichelstowe development here http://www.wichelstowe.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=1