Local boozers recognised for keeping pub traditions alive
Two long-standing pubs in the Swindon area have been named in The Telegraph’s Best UK Pubs 2026 guide, bringing national attention to the town’s pub culture. The Glue Pot, in Swindon’s Railway Village, and The Five Bells in Royal Wootton Bassett both appear among the 650 venues selected for the list, which was compiled by a panel of pub experts led by beer writer Will Hawkes.
The guide favours establishments with a strong sense of place and a bar culture that prioritises beer over food, and both local entries fit that brief. The Glue Pot has been commended for its commitment to cask ales and its historic, unaltered layout; it dates to the 1840s and remains the only original pub left open in one of Britain’s most preserved railway settlements. The building retains physical reminders of its past, with old glue pots — once used by coachbuilders who warmed them on the stove at lunchtime — still visible in the interior.
Meanwhile, The Five Bells, a familiar name in Royal Wootton Bassett, has already been recognised locally by the Swindon & North Wiltshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The pub was named CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2026, its fourth time winning the accolade, and its inclusion in the national guide reinforces that standing.
“Super proud of this, only made possible by our amazing staff team and fantastic customers. Thank you for your continuing support.”
The comment came from the team behind The Five Bells — Coley, Bec and Herbie — who credited staff and customers for the achievement. For both venues, the national recognition does more than deliver a moment of pride: it can help attract visitors, support evening economies and spotlight independent operators at a time when many small pubs face a challenging trading environment.
What the recognition means locally
Inclusion in a high-profile national guide typically brings practical benefits: increased footfall from visitors seeking out recommended haunts, a boost to local hospitality spending and renewed interest in preserving community drinking spaces. For Swindon, a town with a mix of new developments and pockets of preserved history, such acknowledgements underscore the value of heritage businesses that have survived waves of change.
- The Glue Pot — celebrated for its cask ales, historic interior and continuity since the 1840s.
- The Five Bells — noted locally as CAMRA Swindon & North Wiltshire Pub of the Year 2026 and now highlighted nationally.
- National guide — The Telegraph’s selection features 650 pubs across the UK, judged by a six-strong panel of experts.
Both pubs speak to different strands of Swindon’s social history. The Glue Pot is rooted in the town’s railway-era community, a living remnant of the Railway Village where Victorian layouts survive. The Five Bells, by contrast, has built a reputation through consistent engagement with CAMRA and the local beer scene, winning repeated local recognition.
| Pub | Location | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| The Glue Pot | Swindon (Railway Village) | The Telegraph Best UK Pubs 2026; known for cask ales; retains 1840s layout |
| The Five Bells | Royal Wootton Bassett | The Telegraph Best UK Pubs 2026; Swindon & North Wiltshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2026 |
For residents and visitors alike, the recognition is a reminder that Swindon and its surrounding communities possess convivial, characterful places to socialise. It also forms part of a wider conversation about safeguarding small independent venues that contribute to local identity.
As the summer months continue and tourists look for authentic experiences beyond the usual chain offerings, these two pubs may find themselves busier than usual. For many locals, though, the simplest reward is unchanged: a good pint in a familiar setting, with a sense that the town’s living history is still on the map.
