Swindon to Bath

Once you get out of Swindon ( not always an easy task for the nervous or easily discouraged...) it's almost all rural, single carriageway (or "two lane" in American) road, through rolling Wiltshire countryside. Most of the big lorries will be on the M4, but you may get stuck behind the occasional farm tractor. It's a bit suburban around Chippenham. Nice road, the route I would choose if I was going that way. Think wheat fields, wide grassy verges, sheep in pastures scattered with oak and beech trees.

You can get a preview by using Google Maps and the Streetview function.

Thanks, Kevin and Linda. Just what I wanted to have - a brief overview. I use Google Street View constantly, but for this situation it takes too long to hit enough location points to get a real sense of what the route would actually be like.

Kevin, I just realized that your reply contained a link. I read the page and watched the video and I literally laughed out loud, while at the same time staring in fascinated horror. The Swindon 'Magic Roundabout' is totally 'Top Gear' material, with Jeremy Clarkson in a Reliant Robin: http://youtu.be/QQh56geU0X8

I would say the scenery was attractive, but not spectacular. It all depends on what you are used to, and what you are hoping to see. It is fairly typical of Southern England, with patches of open downland and some woodland, farmland with little industry now. Instead of taking the more direct route through Royal Wootton Basset, I would suggest you go via Wroughton and take in the stone circle at Avebury and nearby Silbury Hill before following the A4 to Chippenham. Chippenham itself is not generally an attractive town, but Corsham is worth visiting if you divert from the A4 and drive through the town itself. T don't know why you would want to visit Rudloe, but Box is another attractive village where the main road runs through a steeply sided valley. It is the site of the famous Box railway tunnel. If you have a car when you are in Bath, then do visit Wells, about 20 miles to the south-west. It is a small old market town with a stunning cathedral.

I forgot to add that one option after passing through (or, more probably, round) Chippenham is to go via Castle Combe, claimed to be the prettiest village in England, but where there is really not much to do but park and walk through, possibly visiting the touristy shops and having a drink, a meal, or just a cup of tea, at the pub.

Thanks a lot, Bob. Much appreciated. The stop in Rudloe is to deliver a gift for a friend. I'll be going to Avebury and Wells after meeting up with friends in Bath. So this little route is just a push to get to Bath, but by a different route than I recall taking before (long ago and not well remembered). But after reading your reply, I'm now trying to figure out how I can squeeze in a quick diversion to Castle Combe. I scoped it out on Google Street View and it does look like a beautiful village. Thanks again.

Rose, we took that route when we were in England May of last year - stayed in Corsham. We are so enamored with all of England and the countryside that we thought it was a delightful drive. We did visit Castle Combe, and it's beautiful! I love the name of some of the towns, e.g. Tiddlywinks.