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Chartwell Road, SWINDON, SN25 2FN

Typical of the mis-matches produced in the rapid expansion of Swindon in recent times. A 'city-style' apartment block overlooks a 'lego-style' primary school.

As the notice explains, developers starting work here unearthed the course of a Roman road, which led to this area being preserved as a park.

Viewed facing east, the south elevation of the church can be seen at the left. Beyond that is what was once an abbey, still known as Blunsdon Abbey, which is now a residential property having had a rather modern-looking extension added.

An isolated rural community, until quite recently - now surrounded on all sides by the onward march of Swindon's northern expansion.

The area north of the established areas of Penhill and Haydon Wick and south of the village of Blunsdon is known generically as the Northern Expansion Area. It has been under development for several years from the early 1990s. Within the NEA are individual sub-areas with names such as St Andrew's Ridge, Redhouse and Priory Vale. I suspect they are mostly marketing-inspired though with a nod to existing names and features. Sadly, I can't remember many of them. In this view we can see the open space between St Andrew's Ridge behind the viewpoint and, I think, Redhouse, outside this square. The marker at the right indicates the presence of a bridleway.

The small south churchyard is viewed facing west. The main entrance is, somewhat unusually, on the north elevation. The small door in the image probably provides access to the boilerhouse. More information on the church can be found here Image

Lady Lane is an old country road leading to the village of Blunsdon, which has now been engulfed for much of its length, by the ongoing massive northern expansion of Swindon. Here it is about to plough through some new residential estates. The roundabout is at the junction of Lady Lane with Sandstone Road, and Pennine Way. On the pillars are 20 mph speed restriction signs. These are frequently found in Swindon's new residential areas, and probably will eventually become the norm everywhere.

Almost hidden in the trees is the small parish church of St Andrew. The horizon slopes the way it does because the view is diagonally up a small slope. It could have been straightened but then it wouldn't be a true representation of the view.