Canalside is the name given by Swindon Borough Council and the developers to the district centre in Middle Wichel and the adjoining residential areas.
The area is built beside the Wilts & Berks Canal which once ran from the Thames near Abingdon to a junction with the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington near Devizes.
The canal in Wichelstowe is being restored and rebuilt as part of the construction work.
Development in Middle and West Wichelstowe in controlled through a joint venture between Swindon Borough Council and Barratt Developments. They run the official Wichelstowe website and also a youtube channel.
In addition to a supermarket, a pub/restaurant, and schools, the area will include three areas of housing and a residential development for the over 55s.
The Swindon branch of Waitrose and Partners. One of their larger stores. Open 7 am to 9 pm Mondays to Fridays and 7 am to 8 pm Saturdays, with 7 am to 8 am reserved for elderly and vulnerable customers, and open 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
A pub/bar/restaurant, opened on 1st February 2019. Open from 10 am to 10 pm Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 11 pm Fridays, 9.30 am to 11 pm Saturdays and 10 am to 10 pm Sundays, with food served from opening time until 8.30 pm Mondays to Fridays, until 9 pm on Saturdays, and until 7 pm on Sundays.
Also known as ‘the purple school’ owing to its colour during construction, the Deanery Academy is a secondary school for children aged 11 to 18. The school opened in September 2019. Part of The Park Academies Trust. Until August 2024 it was part of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust.
Another school that went through a purple construction phase, the Kingfisher Academy will be a primary school for children aged 4 to 11, opening in September 2021. Part of The Park Academies Trust. Until August 2024 it was part of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust.
Housing in Canalside
There are currently four sets of developments in progress in Canalside.
David Wilson Homes is the brand of BDW Trading Ltd, part of Barratt Developments PLC, which is initially offering homes to the north of Waitrose on each side of the canal between Churn Bridge and Beavan’s Bridge.
Barratt Homes is the brand of BDW Trading Ltd, part of Barratt Developments PLC, which is intially offering homes to the south of Waitrose on the east side of the canal immediately to the south of Waitrose’ car park.
A 71 bedroom care home being built for Connaught Care on the west side of the canal immediately to the south of H & W in Wichelstowe. Due to open ‘Winter 2024’.