Swindon might be most famous for its Magic Roundabout or its heritage as an railway engineering powerhouse in the 19th century steam era, but those aren’t the reasons for our visit. We wanted to sample the town’s three Wetherspoons and find out which one is the best.

The Dockle Farmhouse – SN3 4PD

Click here to read our full review of The Dockle Farmhouse.

Our first stop was The Dockle Farmhouse, which sits towards the outskirts of Swindon near the Greenbridge Retail & Leisure Park. This huge pub is made up of three buildings, the oldest one dating back to 1800 when it operated as a Dockle Farm.

Inside we were spoilt for choice when it came to seating and the pub has something for everyone. The main bar area feels like a more traditional Wetherspoon, with plenty of tall tables and a bustling atmosphere. At the other end of the pub is a large hall, with plenty of tables for a more relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Joining these two buildings is the old farmhouse, a cosy little building with a few private nooks to sit in.

Outside we found a remarkable beer garden, stretching the full length of the pub with dozens of tables and benches. The pub is situated next to a main road but most of the beer garden is enclosed by trees and bushes to block out the outside world whilst you enjoy a drink or a meal.

The toilets are a little small and underwhelming for a pub of this size, which is the only reason we couldn’t score the pub higher.

Overall score: 3.5/5

The Sir Daniel Arms – SN1 1RQ

Click here to read our full review of The Sir Daniel Arms.

Next we headed into Swindon town centre, where our first stop was The Sir Daniel Arms. It inhabits a unique and quite impressive building, and it takes its name from Sir Daniel Gooch, a man who played a pivotal role in Swindon’s railway heritage.

The pub is spread across two floors, and we found the upstairs to be well decorated with fireplaces and sculptures. The exposed ventilation on the ceiling gives it an industrial feel, which fits the theme of Swindon’s history but feels rather unconventional in quite a traditional Wetherspoon.

You’ll find a couple of balconies upstairs too, and plenty of outside seating downstairs.

Overall score: 3.17/5

The Savoy – SN1 1JL

Click here to read our full review of The Savoy.

Our last stop of the day was The Savoy, located on the other side of Swindon’s town centre. As its name suggests it occupies an old cinema which first opened its doors in 1937, and it’s been part of the Wetherspoon chain since 1996.

It feels like a cinema from the moment you enter, with steps leading down to the sunken bar area. Cosy booths occupy the flanks of the room as it opens out into a large but quite cosy seating area. To either side are more raised seating areas surrounded by bookshelves, giving a very warm and welcoming feel to the pub.

Even though our visit was on a Saturday night, the atmosphere in The Savoy felt calm and relaxed, which gave it a pleasant and welcoming vibe.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the pub is the large sculpture hanging at the entrance. We spent some time speculating on precisely what it was, so if you happen to know, get in touch!

Overall score: 3.33/5

In our experience it’s quite rare for a location to have exclusively good pubs (there’s normally at least one fairly naff one!) but all three of Swindon’s were not only praiseworthy but also quite individual, with something for everybody depending on what you’re looking for.

Swindon average score: 3.33/5