1/2 Local guides A guide to... North Swindon There’s a fabulous buzz and a great sense of community spirit in Priory Vale, one of Swindon’s most lively, family friendly communities, making it increasingly popular with young professionals and families with young children. North Swindon has really made its mark, with several pretty urban villages including Redhouse, Oakhurst, Ash Brake, Woodhall, St Andrew’s Ridge and Taw Hill, o ering a wide range of properties to suit everyone. The Orbital Shopping Centre is right at the heart of the community, with a fabulous range of shops and services and there are some highly rated schools dotted across the area, which includes the more established communities of Abbey Meads, Greenmeadow, Haydon Wick and Haydon End. Your pick of property styles Blunsdon Abbey was a prominent landmark and inspired the title of the Abbey Meads A really good portfolio of properties cleverly development and the name ‘Priory Vale’ mixes contemporary townhouses, ranging follows this monastic theme – although one from luxury three storey ve bed homes, suspects there aren’t too many monks living with good gardens for growing families, here now….. with more chic mews style houses for busy professional couples. Green Spaces – These are integrated in true village style with Discover, Explore, Enjoy! a selection of First Time Buyer homes and The village atmosphere is showcased by modern apartments, all built over the last well-tended green and leafy spaces in 10 -15 years. between houses which adds to ‘country in The more established areas of North the town’ feel. Swindon such as Haydon Wick, o er a mix Mouldon Hill Country Park towards Taw Hill of older character homes, ranging from and Oakhurst is a stunning park and lake Visit richardjames.info traditional semi-detacheds to larger 1970s touching on the heritage of the canals and estate homes. the railways, which you can explore with a for more local guides History and heritage leisurely stroll or more brisk ‘walkies’ with the dog! Developed on farmland and elds dating Including Berriman’s Wood, a community back to the 1700s, Priory Vale belongs to forest, the tranquil parkland expands the parish of Blunsdon St Andrew, an Iron towards West Swindon and the No.45 Age settlement mentioned in the Domesday Cycle Route. book, so the development has a pretty impressive heritage. Old Town Town Centre Wroughton West Swindon Highworth East Swindon richardjames.info 2/2 Local guides A guide to... North Swindon Schools Red Oaks Primary School St. Francis C of E Primary School Oakhurst Primary School Greenmeadow Primary School Haydonleigh Primary School Bridlewood Primary School Abbey Meads Community Primary School Moredon Primary School Catherine Wayte Primary School Photography by Naomi Youd Naomi by Photography Orchid Vale Primary School Rodbourne Cheney Primary School Haydon Wick Primary School Brimble Hill School Transport – Get there Uplands School Buses run as regularly as clockwork to and Isambard Community School (secondary) from most areas in and around Swindon and around Priory Vale itself. Nova Hreod School (secondary) You’re minutes from the A419, which takes you to Cirencester and up to the M5 and Gloucester or the Cotswolds in the North and southwards links to the A420 to Oxford, and Council Tax Junction 15 of the M4 to London or Bristol. Band Amount A £919.17 Lifestyle – Shop, B £1,072.36 Eat, Drink, Share C £1,225.56 To indulge in retail therapy, The Orbital Centre includes a agship Asda, Out t, D £1,378.75 Homebase, Marks & Spencer, Boots, New E Look, Thomas Cook, DW Sports, Pizza Hut, £1,685.14 Starbucks and McDonalds, plus a petrol F £1,991.52 garage, the fantastic North Swindon library and 2,500 free car parking spaces. G £2,297.92 Village centres also o er hairdressers, estate H £2,757.50 agents, vets, doctors and dentists and a selection of supermarkets on your doorstep Prices correct as of May 2014. For up to date Oops! charges please visit www.swindon.gov.uk – including Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi and the Co-Op. If we’ve missed anything, please contact our West Swindon O ce on Welcoming pubs o er a range of eating 01793 877 708 and we’ll be happy to experiences to suit you taste and pocket help with any information you need. and you’re also only 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Swindon, with its cosmopolitan mix of bars and restaurants. Old Town Town Centre Wroughton West Swindon Highworth East Swindon richardjames.info.