SO many pubs in Swindon have come and gone over the years.
Punters have packed their local boozers, met up with friends and enjoyed nights they’ll never forget (or barely remember), only for those community hubs to close down and fade into history.
Many have since been replaced by shops and flats, but they remain close to the hearts of many Swindonians.
We asked readers to tell us about their favourite long lost watering-holes and were inundated with hundreds of responses and fondly-recalled anecdotes of the good old days.
These are a few of the most popular suggestions.
THE RODBOURNE ARMS
Adrian Thrush said: "It was great, and people would travel quite a long way just to drink there."
Beryl Wharmby added: "Great pub and entertainment."
THE BELL
Sean Brien said: "Good atmosphere and great jukebox."
Mel Parfitt added: "Oh my word The Bell for sure! So many good memories from nights out in there!"
THE ROLLING MILLS
Susan Patricia said: "Miss the chair with all the foam stuffing missing out of it. you just sunk in there with a nice aroma of beer and whatever else had soaked in there over the years."
John Stanley added: "You could sit in a window seat with a pint of Red Barrel and watch all the scraps outside the Alliance club... a great night out."
THE PRINCESS
David Smart "had some brilliant times there" while Tony West remembered its "great atmosphere".
George Jarman added: "I worked there in the lounge, it was the in place at the time.£
THE GRAPES
Julian Price said: "Spent many happy evenings in there and the George, rockin' the night, also did discos in both back in the day."
THE RIFLEMANS
Martin Kelly said: "Nice to see The Riflemans getting a mention. I did the karaoke in there for many years before they started messing about with it. Had some cracking nights in there."
And many more...
Melanie Garbutt remembered The Litentree, Rush, Bedroom, Boardwalk, Vadims, D&D.
Andy Curtis added: "LITTEN TREE was always a good starter before heading to Brunel."
Karla Peverley said of D&D: "The three floors with different music on each, £10 all u can drink (I was 20 last time I went thought). Weds and Sat, that was the place to be."
Jenny Cleverley praised THE PROSPECT WORKING MEN'S CLUB: “It was a friendly, happy place to be a member of. There was a great atmosphere and plenty of good groups played there. Christmas is just not the same now."
Charlene Fisher mentioned her mum and dad’s old pub THE SIR DANIEL ARMS before Wetherspoons took it over.
Neil Dixon mentioned THE GROVE on Drove Hill: "Such a cosy pub with great food."
Jennie Sabat went to the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION in Park North: "Great time in there, and my Dad was on the door so got in for free lol."
Sally Clark said: "Spent some fab evenings at THE WHEATSHEAF and THE KERNELS, met people I have fond memories of."
Ben Chequer asked: "Anyone remember FATHER TED'S? Short lived Irish bar but think it used to be THE LAMB AND FLAG beforehand."
Daniel Irwin remembered his father taking him to THE PARK HOTEL for his first time in a pub, and Nathan McGlynn remembered his first time in a pub at THE QUEENFIELD, and Bryan Hill bought his first pint in ODDFELLOWS.
Sue Uygur celebrated ROUTE 66: "Fun pub, games while drinking and right prices….always rammed!"
Julie Moss said: "I used to love Friday Saturday nights in THE FLAG AND WHISTLE karaoke nights in the 90s."
Marcus Slate added: "I loved THE SPORTSMAN, espicially when the bikers were there - never any trouble in that pub."
Phil Ballard thanked THE PATTERN STORE because "that place and its people got me through some rough times".
Emma Sly said she had the "best nights" in WALKABOUT - and it's where she met her husband.
Ian Smith paid tribute to Andrew Ridler, who used to run THE HARROW in Wanborough in the 80s and has recently died.
Paul Moulden used to go to THE HAVANA on a Saturday afternoon before going on to the football match.
Other pubs mentioned include Carps Gorse Hil, Fishes in Highworth, The Mechanics Institute, Worthington in Nythe, The Ship, Brunel Rooms, Bar Cuba, Angelos, The Dog on Queens Drive, The Famous Ale House (AKA The Grot), Jacobs Ladder, The Atrium, Cookrobin, The Lamb and Flag.
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