How one of England’s most derided towns became twinned with Disney World & inspired the band Oasis
A TOWN in England which is often overlooked has a rather bizarre link to Disney World.
Despite Swindon being a historic town – called Suindune in the Domesday Book – it is often derided by both locals and tourists.
Last year, it was given the sad accolades of being the “UK’s most average town” and one of the “worst places to live” in the UK.
Despite this, back in 2010 it was given a very strange twinned destination – which was Disney World.
A plaque at the park read: “Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, the Walt Disney World resort, sharing the magic 2010.”
Swindon beat 24 other British towns following a promotion video, which compared the town’s famous Magic Roundabout the the Disney teacup ride.
Local Rebecca Warren, 21, was the woman behind the video, who was then flown out to Disney World after her winning campaign.
Following its success, a launch party in Swindon was thrown, with even Micky and Minnie turning on the Christmas lights.
Sadly it only lasted a year, but Swindon was even included in the World Showcase in Disneyworld’s Epcot theme park.
However, Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard told local media: “Swindon being twinned with Walt Disney World in Florida was something really special for the town.
“It helped draw global attention to our part of the world as millions of people discovered Swindon and its story at the Epcot theme park 12 years ago. It’s something magical that will live on in the history of the town.
It’s not Swindon’s only claim to fame.
The band Oasis took their name from the town’s now-closed Oasis Leisure Centre, while celebs including Billie Piper and Julian Clary are from Swindon.
And there are some exciting new changes coming to the town too.
A £3million project to regenerate Swindon’s town centre is expected to be finished next year.
And there are hopes to reopen the Oasis Leisure Centre, which closed back in 2020.
And last month, one of the newest Home Bargains in the UK opened, with its own cafe.
It could have even been home to the Millennium Dome.
Old plans revealed that the £800million structure could have moved to Swindon and been turned into a “new kind of international gardening exposition” and a permanent “interactive” garden.
Another destination in the UK which is often slated has been named the “most underrated city” in the country.
