Swindon pubs from the 1980s shown in archive pictures

In the mid-1980s, Mike Dolman set out with a Canon AE1 SLR camera to photograph every pub in Swindon and on its outskirts.

Some of the pubs whose images he preserved forever are easily recognisable, while others have changed radically, and still others have gone altogether.

Let's have a stroll down memory lane.

in the Railway Village, which closed some years ago, was one of Swindon’s most historic pubs. Seen here looking much as it had for decades, the venue later became an Irish theme bar. (Image: The Mike Dolan Archive)

THE BAKERS ARMS in the Railway Village, which closed some years ago, was one of Swindon’s most historic pubs. Seen here looking much as it had for decades, the venue later became an Irish theme bar.

The Globe (Image: The Mike Dolan Archive)

THE GLOBE in Eastcott Road was very much a traditional pub when Mr Dolman photographed it, and remained so for around another two decades. Its emblem – Atlas bearing the world on his shoulders – can clearly be seen.

Following a long period of closure it was refurbished and re-opened in 2010 by a group of local people and now thrives once more.

The Blue Bear in Aldbourne (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE BLUE BOAR in Aldbourne has changed little in the last 30 years apart from the addition of ivy, a prominent sign and some extra outdoor tables.

The centuries-old pub’s many claims to fame include being a popular haunt of American personnel during World War Two and featuring in a legendary Doctor Who story, The Daemons, in 1971.

The Cock Robin in Cavendish Square (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE COCK ROBIN in Cavendish Square was among thousands of pubs built as integral parts of new estates in the 1960s. The plain and functional exterior hid an extensive interior which included a large function room.

The Cock Robin’s fortunes declined in the years prior to its closure in 2003. Demolition followed a few years later.

The Three Tuns in Wroughton (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE THREE TUNS was one of Wroughton’s most popular pubs when Mr Dolman captured this image. Much of the structure survives, albeit as a Co-op shop.

The pub closed in 2010, and the general consensus of opinion was that it fell victim to changes in drinking habits caused by issues such as alcohol taxation and the smoking ban.

The Fishes in Highworth (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE FISHES in Highworth became Grade II Listed a few years before Mr Dolman took this photograph.

Its appearance remains largely unchanged, although it is no longer a pub. The building has been home to a number of restaurants and is now Spice Kitchen.

The Castle in Prospect Place (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE CASTLE in Prospect Place is another Swindon pub whose appearance has changed only superficially from the way it was in the mid-1980s. It has long been a favourite music venue with a loyal clientele.

The Lamb and Flag in Bridge Street (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE LAMB AND FLAG had been open in Bridge Street for about 130 years when Mr Dolman took this photograph.

It was easily one of the town’s most historic pubs. Many years later it operated as Bar Cuba and The Flag, and then a branch of Cash Generator. The decorative stonework at either side of the frontage remains.

The Belle Vue in Old Town (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE BELLE VUE is one of the most changed surviving venues in Mr Dolman’s collection of images. Very much a traditional Old Town pub in the mid-1980s, it is now Longs and has been expanded and altered almost beyond recognition.

The Deer's Leap (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE DEER'S LEAP Opened some 58 years ago, the imposing Deer’s Leap in Penhill has been serving the local community for almost as long as there has been a local community to serve.

Designed in the style of a large old-fashioned farmhouse, it has stood through various refurbishments of the surrounding area.

The Clifton Hotel (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE CLIFTON HOTEL The frontage of this popular Swindon pub is instantly recognisable, but the plot on which it sits has changed a great deal as public tastes have embraced outdoor drinking and dining.

The building would have been a familiar sight to Hollywood star Pam Grier, of Jackie Brown fame, and Carry on legend Bernard Bresslaw. Both lived in Clifton Street as children, Grier as the child of an American serviceman and Bresslaw as a wartime evacuee.

The Calley Arms in Hodson (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE CALLEY ARMS, HODSON Although the cosmetic appearance of the exterior has changed considerably, the traditional country inn on Swindon’s doorstep is readily recognisable from the photo Mr Dolman took about 40 years ago.

The Gladstone (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE GLADSTONE Long since re-opened as the Irish-themed and very popular Tap & Barrel, the building which once housed The Gladstone is familiar due to its beautiful ornamentation.

It stands on the corner of Manchester Road and Gladstone Street.

The Old Vic (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE OLD VIC The Wiltshire Hotel building in the centre of Swindon is a classic example of turn-of-the-1970s architecture, so much so that it once featured as a location in an episode of violent late-1970s detective series Target.

The bar on its ground floor went through several changes of identity over the years, and in the mid-1980s was The Old Vic.

The Red Lion Inn in Cricklade (Image: Newsquest)

THE RED LION INN, CRICKLADE Of the pubs outside Swindon visited by Mr Dolman, many have vanished or been converted into flats.

The rest are mostly still easily recognisable. So it is with Cricklade’s Red Lion Inn, which for some years has also been home to the Hop Kettle Brewery.

The Waggon and Horses in Royal Wootton Bassett (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE WAGGON AND HORSES, WOOTTON BASSETT Like all surviving Wootton Bassett pubs visited by Mr Dolman in the mid-1980s, The Waggon and Horses has changed its location without moving an inch.

It is now The Waggon and Horses, Royal Wootton Bassett. Aside from that and a new paint scheme, it is unmistakable.

The Princess (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE PRINCESS This once-beautiful building at the corner of Florence Street and Beatrice Street in Swindon.

In 2016, the Adver ran a story about a cannabis growing operation being found in what was described as the derelict Meerkat pub. When Mr Dolman took this photograph the building was The Princess, a Gorse Hill pub which had thrived since the beginning of the 20th century.

The Rodbourne Arms (Image: The Mike Dolman Archive)

THE RODBOURNE ARMS It was a sad day for lovers of Swindon history and Swindon pubs when The Rodbourne Arms was demolished in October of 2011. It had stood in Cheney Manor Road for 106 years.

Locals remembered it as once having been at the heart of the community, hosting sports teams, clubs and even a parent teacher association. The site is occupied by a supermarket.