Green and pleasant

Residents live in largely private housing close the Lawn Woods, a stone’s throw from bustling Old Town, with Coate Water near by.

But the community benefits from its own shops on Guildford Avenue, its own medical practice and a much-used community centre.

This busy corner of Guildford Avenue has something for everyone and there are a selection of services and shops.

These include a pharmacy, handily placed opposite the medical practice, a convenience store, a drinks store, a hairdresser and a veterinary centre.

The area also has the benefit of Lawn Pre-School, in Cleeve Lawns, which was started back in 1976 by a group of mums.

Then called Cleeve Lawns Playgroup it was initially based in the Pratten block at Lawns Infant School and in 1981 secured a lease on a three-classroom block.

Over the years it developed, maintaining membership of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. In 1997 it was accepted for the nursery vouchers scheme and in 2001 changed its name to Lawn Pre-School, moving in 2006 to its current premises.

Lawn Primary School, also situated in Cleeve Lawns, provides education for five to 11-year-olds and its packed programme of activities includes a performing arts club, including guitar and recorder tuition.

Residents who want a breath of fresh air need look no further than Lawn Woods.

It’s popular with the public and is used for dog walking and recreation.

It is managed by Swindon Council’s ranger team and has a variety of habitats, including woodland, parkland, meadows and lakes and is home to a variety of wildlife, including squirrels and six species of bat. In addition to the council’s ranger team, volunteers help out in a variety of ways including clearing out ponds and cutting saplings.

The history of Lawn Woods dates back centuries.

Because it had a natural spring it was a settlement and Stone Age, Bronze Age, Saxon and Roman remains have been found.

An early 15th century house was replaced by a mansion built by the Goddard family in the 18th century who made the parkland their home.

It was landscaped with an ice house, a gazebo, an Italian sunken garden and ornamental lakes.

In 1830 the Goddards changed the name of the site from “Swindon House” to “The Lawn.”

The house was requistioned by the War Office for American troops in the Second World War and in 1946 Swindon Corporation bought the site for £18,000.

After the war the house had deteriorated so much that it was declared unsafe and it was demolished in 1952.

Biodiiversity education ranger Tim Kaye said an initiative is underway to highlight information about the Lawn Woods to the public, thanks to a £20,000 match-funded scheme involving the Pipers Way Residents’ Association and the council.

Plans are also in hand to restore the old ice house.

“It has got to be re-mortared because the concrete between the stones is original,” he said.

“It will involve stripping off the ivy and securing the window frames.

“We are also looking at mapping out the ground with bricks where the Goddard house used to be so people can see where the rooms were.

“We have just put in place an information board in the last couple of weeks which has been funded by the residents association through fundraising and tells the story of the park – “The People On Nob Hill” as it was known.

“In the next few months we are looking at bringing out a heritage leaflet which takes people around the historic site as it is so close to Old Town and people don’t know about it.”

The Lawn Woods is also home to Holy Rood Church, which was in grounds of the Goddard’s mansion house.

Today only part of it remains, as the main part of the old church having been demolished, but arches still stand as evidence of a much larger church in existence centuries ago.

Inside Holy Rood there is a model of what the church would once have looked like.

The building is occasionally opened on heritage open days in September.

Tim is also appealing for people’s memories about the woods. Anyone with information is asked to call him on 01793 829704.