THE first buying and selling done in what we now know as Swindon's Old Town happened long before Swindon even had its name.

In fact, it probably happened even before money as we know it evolved, taking the form of barter instead.

The land at the top of the hill was the first part of the present town to be settled.

Hills were usually favoured over lower-lying areas because they offered better defensive possibilities.

When William the Conqueror sent officials to record the scope of his new realm in what was to become the Domesday Book, they came back with information about a small agricultural and trading community.

For many years it remained just that, its economy subsequently outstripped by that of Wootton Bassett, a larger, more prosperous and more important market community.

It was in the Victorian era, with the local economy boosted by the advance of the Railway Works, that the distinctive architecture of Old Town really began to take shape.

Buildings such as the Corn Exchange were typical of the confidence of that time.

Since then, the area has evolved through several incarnations commercially, but has always remained one of the most desirable areas of Swindon.

It was once possible never to leave Old Town and yet still be able to buy all the necessities of life from stores in Wood Street and Victoria Road.

These days there is still a broad range of shops, selling everything from electrical goods to hardware, and encompassing financial services, high class furnishings, clothing and ornaments.

In addition, the area is an ever popular draw for lovers of pubs, clubs and restaurants - the styles of cuisine represented within a radius of a few hundred yards encompass just about every corner of the world.

2:20pm Tuesday 29th April 2008

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