The town is known for its Magic Roundabout – a complex junction made up of five mini-roundabouts arranged around a central circle – and for being twinned with Walt Disney World in Florida
There are numerous towns across Britain that are recognised for something quirky – whether it’s an odd name, a distinctive landmark, or an unusual claim to fame.
But one town in Wiltshire stands out for something truly unexpected. It’s not just renowned for one of the UK’s most complicated road junctions, but also for being twinned with Walt Disney World in Florida.
Back in 2009, a 21-year-old local woman named Rebecca Warren entered her hometown into a Disney competition. She told the company all the reasons it should be recognised: the famous roundabout, football stadium and railway history.
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She won, and the following year, the town became the first in the world to be twinned with Disneyworld for an entire year, reports the Express.
The town is, of course, Swindon Situated in the heart of Wiltshire, it defeated more than 500 other entries to claim the Disney prize. In 2010, Rebecca, her family and Swindon’s then-mayor, David Wren, were flown to Florida for a special ceremony.
A plaque near the Magic Kingdom was unveiled that read: “Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, the Walt Disney World resort, sharing the magic 2010.” There was an exhibition about Swindon added to Epcot’s UK pavilion, allowing thousands of visitors to have chance to learn about the town’s story.
Swindon also received its fair share of Disney magic that year. Mickey, Minnie and Goofy switched on the Christmas lights, and characters appeared at the Old Town Festival.
A launch party was held for invited guests. In 2021, council leader David Renard celebrated Disneyworld’s 50th anniversary by stating: “Swindon being twinned with Walt Disney World in Florida was something really special for the town.
“It helped draw global attention to our part of the world. It’s something magical that will live on in the history of the town.”
Undeniably, the Magic Roundabout is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. This intricate junction consists of five mini-roundabouts surrounding a central circle.
Constructed in 1972 and designed by Frank Blackmore, it permits traffic to flow both clockwise and anticlockwise, depending on the chosen route.
Despite being labelled as one of the “worst” and “scariest” roundabouts in the country, it’s actually renowned for its safety compared to simpler designs.
Swindon also offers a wealth of attractions for families and visitors. These include the STEAM Museum, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Wyvern Theatre, Lydiard Park, and Butterfly World, along with easy access to the nearby Cotswolds.
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