We will be staying in Bath, and are organising a get-together with friends from Windsor. We are looking for a pub to meet for lunch at a half-way point that each group can drive to. From the map, Swindon looks like a likely place, but we are also open to other suggestions.

We will be seniors through to a 2 year old (6 adults, 1 child in total), and are looking for somewhere easy to have a casual meal together without large crowds or loud music. This will be on a week day in early March.

I would appreciate any suggestions! Many thanks, Di

Why not try a village pub instead of somewhere in Swindon?

Have a look at /www.foxandhoundsuffington.co.uk/.
Uffington is not far from Swindon, and has the wonderful white horse, Dragons hill, Uffington castle and Waylands Smithy along the Ridgeway above it - to give you somewhere to go to walk off that lunch

Thanks for that, hetismij - I'd heard of the white horse, and hadn't realised how close we would be to it.

The pub you suggest is just the sort of place we are seeking. And if it's not too cold, the walk after lunch sounds ideal! Di

I can recommend the Swan Inn at Inkpen (www.theswaninn-organics.co.uk). It is not far from Hungerford, and may take a bit of finding down narrow lanes, but there is a lot of good countryside close by.

Alternatively, there are bound to be good pubs or restaurants at places like Marlborough or Hungerford which are on the A4, the old main road between Bath and London. Try looking under the place name. I am sure that Swindon has some good eating places, but it would not be my first thought as a place to meet.

Thanks, chartley - you've given me some more research with your suggestions. Looking on a map, the smaller places don't rate a mention. So this insider info is just what I need. Di

Don't bother with Swindon. There are nice pubs in the area, but you can do much better position-wise. Chartley's advice to look for somewhere along, or close to, the A4 is good using Marlborough - Hungerford as an axis. Let Google be your friend, there are plenty of good places.

We will be staying 5 nights at the Marriott in Swindon this June. I have taken down the above restaurant suggestions nearby (we'll have a car), but wonder if anyone has any ideas for evening meals. We will probably wind up eating a supper or two in town. Nothing super deluxe - just good food/good value. Thank you.

There is no shortage of places to eat of all flavours in Swindon. It's a large town. What I would do, and have done in the past, is put 'Swindon' on Google Maps, then put 'restaurants' in the window, and loads will turn up with associated reviews. Your choice then.

Within reasonable driving distance is the Three Crowns at Brinkworth, which has an excellent reputation. I believe they don't take reservations still, just turn up and maybe wait your turn. There's the Pear Tree at Purton, or you can go north to Highworth and Lechlade, south to Avebury and Marlborough, west to Malmesbury and so on. Wiltshire is greatly blessed with good pubs. Many small village pubs still thrive by serving food.

The Marriott is somewhat outside the centre of Swindon, btw, but close to the M4.

So many choices . . . and so many folk with local knowledge! I'll now do my homework; I'd looked at Google, but have found from past experience that recommendations from people who have favorites in the area are a more reliable way to go.

Thanks to everyone, Di

I've now had time to check out all the actual eateries suggested, and while they look excellent, I'm not sure they're exactly what we're looking for.
Our hard-earned Aussie dollars don't go very far in UK, and we'd really like the experience of a traditional pub rather than upmarket modern fare.
Perhaps I'm being too difficult, but if anyone has a favorite 'local' that they can suggest, I'd be most grateful! Di

The Fox and Hounds at Uffington is not that upmarket, the prices are fairly average I would have said.

The Woodman Inn in Ferney is a little further away but they do things like Ploughmans lunches. www.thewoodmaninn.net

Or maybe the White Horse Inn in Woolstone would appeal. It is a proper Inn with accomodation, but is also the local pub. No website.

You could have a look at pubs in Wantage which is nearby (birthplace of King Alfred the Great). It has several pubs, though not as many as when we lived there. The Shoulder of Mutton, the Swan, the King Alfreds head and the Bear Hotel are amongst the better ones.

The Hatchet Inn in Childrey gets good write ups, it doesn't have a website though.

Our old local, the Pound at Goosey has closed. There are three good pubs in West Hendred, but that may be getting too far away for you.

The Saracens Head in Highworth is also good. www.saracenshead.co.uk

Hi Di
I ate dinner at the Swindon Marriott last night and I have to say it was fantastic. I don't normally think about hotels when eating out but was very impressed again by their food and most of all the fab service. I had the short rib special and my partner had the steak both were very good but the most amazing thing was the flaming creme brulee. It arrived at the table a-blaze, which was a show stopper and it tasted great too!
I'd recommend you go there as really close to the M4 so you should all find it easily.

We enjoyed The Polly Tearoom in Marlborough. Good food and nice family type atmosphere.

A very easy place to find for you all is the Pheasant Inn which is literally yards from the M4 at Junction 14 - about halfway between Windsor and Bath. Excellent food there too.

http://www.thepheasant-inn.co.uk/

My AA Book on Best Pubs also recommends The Swan Inn, but another two nearby are The Crown and Garter, Inkpen Common and The Red House at Marsh Benham (both look lovely).