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Pub Walk and Talk – Heritage Open Days 2024
September 7 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Free
Connecting the pubs in Emlyn Square
Join us for a guided tour of the Bakers and Cricketers in Emlyn Square the heart of Swindon’s historic Railway Village.
With the coming of the railway to Swindon in 1841 the locomotive repair Works and all that was to follow from 1843 there came an unprecedented explosion of the working population. “New Swindon” was first centred on GWR’s “factory village” but accommodation could not keep pace with demand many speculative estates of terraced houses started to spring up close-by. The burgeoning heavily worked population needed places to drink – let off steam if you will!
The Cricketers Tour will guide you through the history of the building its current condition and the work taking place by Swindon Heritage Preservation to restore it for community use. Learn how for 100 years this former public house was once a thriving community hub in the heart of Swindon’s town centre.
The walk continues to the Bakers a former Brew-house Bakery and Pub currently operating as a community space with a unique cafe layout. Learn more about its past present and future before heading to the FREE talk by John Stooke Author of ‘Last Orders’. More info here (Booking for the talk is not required – Please book the talk separately to avoid disappointment).
Safety information
- We’ll provide visitors with a safety briefing at the beginning of each tour.
- You WILL have to wear personal protective equipment such as a Hi-Visibility Vest.
- We advise visitors to wear sensible footwear, which are flat and fully enclosed, along with long sleeved clothing. So no Jimmy Choos!
- If you’re sensitive to dust and smells then consider that this tour isn’t suitable for you.
Accessibility
The tour requires visitors to be able to navigate tight corridors, walk on uneven flooring and climb stairs. If you’re not able to do this, but would like to attend, please get in touch with us so we can try to make arrangements to accommodate your visit. info@mechanics-trust.org.uk