Directions and Instructions
What to bring
If you are taking part in a residential course please bring your own sleeping bag, or sheets and duvet cover, pillowcase and towel. We have sheets to hire if necessary. In cold weather we suggest you bring a hot water bottle. We provide pillows, duvets and blankets. Please feel free to bring any musical instruments, games, etc. You may like to bring wellies or walking shoes.
If you have booked to come to an event, or arranged a visit, here is how to find us:
Directions
By Public Transport:
Swindon is easy to reach from many places! From London, trains run from Paddington Station (journey about one hour), and buses from Victoria Coach Station (about 2 hours). It may be possible to get much cheaper train tickets if you book well in advance. There are taxi ranks at the train and bus stations.
Two buses run from Fleming Way, by the Bus station, to Shaw. Bus no. 19 leaves from stop E. Ask for the Brook Field School stop. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Walk in the same direction as the bus, and as you reach the pelican crossing, take the tarmac path on the left. At the end of the path turn right and after a few yards you will find the farm entrance. It takes about 5 minutes.
Bus no. 1a to Ramleaze also runs from Fleming Way, from stand G. Ask for the Village Inn. Walk between the church and shops, then crossing a side road, look for the leafy footpath that runs alongside some sheltered housing (on the left), into Old Shaw Lane. Turn right and in a few yards you will see the farm entrance. It takes 5 to 10 minutes.
By Road.
Lower Shaw Farm is situated 4 miles west of Swindon town centre.
Beware of using GPS systems, as they usually seem to get people lost when trying to find us! It may work to put in Randall Crescent (just opposite the farm), or 20 Old Shaw Lane, as your destination. If you are coming by foot, or bicycle, please ask us for a cycle/footpath map
From the M4 Motorway:
Leave at Junction 16 and follow signs towards Swindon (A3102).
At the first roundabout after the motorway, turn left. Follow this road (Whitehill Way) over several roundabouts, passing the ‘Link’ Sports Centre to your right.
Carry straight on until you start seeing signs to Shaw (though ignore first sign to Shaw & Lydiard Millicent).
Turn left as directed at a roundabout just before the big yellow ‘meccano’ building.
Still following signs to Shaw turn left at the next roundabout.
Then take the third turning on the left into Old Shaw Lane. The farm is on the right 500yds down the lane.
From central Swindon:
Look for signs for the M4 (WEST) or West Swindon District Centre (Link Centre), then follow directions as above.
From Cirencester and the North.
From Cirencester take the A419 towards Swindon.
Take B4040 to Cricklade.
Through Cricklade, follow signs to Malmesbury, until mini roundabout where you go straight on following B4553 and signs for West Swindon.
There are various twists and turns but continue following B4553 and signs for West Swindon.
Eventually you pass a pub THE FORESTERS on your left. Soon after the pub is a roundabout. Turn right here, following sign to Peatmoor.
At the next roundabout turn left.
At the next roundabout turn right into Roughmoor Way.
At the next roundabout turn left into Cartwright Drive.
Continue to the next roundabout where you turn right into Shaw Rd.
In a few yards take the right turn into Old Shaw Lane.
Lower Shaw Farm is about 1/3 mile on the right.
If you get lost (!) try and find your way to West Swindon District Centre (ASDA, Link, Cinema complex etc) and pick up directions from the M4. Or phone us!