Christ Church

Christ Church stands in Swindon’s Old Town, a Grade II* listed building designed by George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1851. It occupies a quiet corner of Cricklade Street, a short walk from the old town hall and the modern high street. The church’s exterior is a plain Gothic Revival façade, its stone walls softened by ivy and plane trees. Inside, the nave still holds its original pews, now fixed with a discreet system that lets them be cleared for large gatherings. A modern community centre sits at the rear of the grounds, its glass doors opening onto a small paved courtyard. The church is worth visiting for the story of Tommy Cullinan, the Irish jockey buried beneath a Commonwealth War Grave marker. In 1930 Cullinan rode into history by winning the unofficial Triple Crown of National Hunt racing, claiming victories at the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle on the same horse in a single season. His grave lies near the lychgate, marked by a simple Portland stone cross. The interior’s recent remodelling added gas heating and LED lighting while keeping the Victorian character intact. Visitors find a calm space of warm stone and clear glass, the nave’s high windows throwing light onto the retained pews. The community centre hosts concerts, markets and talks, its foyer lined with posters of past events. Outside, the churchyard holds a mix of yew and lime, their branches sheltering benches where people sit and read. A path leads past Cullinan’s grave to the modern hall, where coffee mornings and art classes take place. The contrast between the 19th-century church and its 21st-century neighbour shows how the building keeps serving its parish.