For most, Swindon might not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking about a perfect destination to live or visit, but for Sammy Hardy, a full-time van dweller, our town became a home away from home.
Sammy, who has been living nomadically for years, came to Swindon for work but left with a deep affection for the town and its people.
Initially, Sammy was brought to Swindon by her recruitment agency to work in the local drug and alcohol service. “I didn’t have any expectations,” Sammy admits. “I noticed how diverse it is with lots of different cultures. But what I loved most was how friendly people were. You could say good morning to anyone—young or old—and no one would think you were weird. I loved that.”
Having grown up in Bristol and previously only visiting Swindon for the infamous Magic Roundabout, Sammy wasn’t expecting to stay long. “We were only planning on staying for four months, but I was asked to extend, so we did. I never intended to come back to Swindon after my first visit—it really scared me—but I’m so glad I did. The people here are so friendly and welcoming.”
Sammy and her partner lived in their van on the Hillmead Industrial Estate for three months, a place where they formed an unexpected bond with the locals. “The workers there accepted us being parked up. My partner went to get the scooter tyres renewed, and the guy just did it there and then—no booking required. I haven’t met anyone here who wasn’t willing to help.”
Living in a van full-time comes with challenges, but Swindon made it easy. Sammy was struck by how accommodating the town was for van dwellers like her. “Other places often don’t like van life and mistake us for travellers. But Swindon was different—we had no issues finding water or places to park. We always do our best to look after the spots where we stay, even doing litter picks, and that helped too.”
One of the highlights for Sammy was exploring the green spaces Swindon has to offer. She speaks fondly of the local park at Hillmead and also the Peatmoor Community Woodland, marvelling at the birdlife he encountered. “I spent a lot of time walking in the park behind the all-you-can-eat Chinese. I even heard a Tawny Owl and a woodpecker! My other favourite spot was Nightingale Forest—Swindon’s natural beauty is really underrated.”
Work played a central role in Sammy’s time in Swindon, where she found not only professional fulfilment but also a deep connection to the community. “I worked in both the alcohol and opiate teams, and the staff and clients were amazing. I’m going to miss them. The team worked incredibly hard, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people.”
Despite the media criticism Swindon sometimes receives, Sammy sees things differently. “People should spend time in the community before believing what they hear. Crime happens everywhere, but you secure your stuff and get on with it. Swindon’s people and their willingness to help each other out is what sets it apart.”
Sammy’s Swindon story culminated in attending the town’s Recovery Festival, an event that further cemented his love for the town. “It was brilliant—no one was drunk, everyone was happy, and i took my daughters along and they loved it. It was such a wholesome event.”
As Sammy and her partner prepare to move on, it’s clear that Swindon has left a lasting mark. “I’ve stayed in many places, but Swindon is special. No one looked down their nose at us. It’s like we’ve lived here forever. If I ever need work again, I wouldn’t hesitate to return.”
In a final piece of advice for anyone considering life in Swindon, Sammy says: “Do it! Everyone’s so friendly, and there’s so much to do. Whether it’s cycling, walking, or just enjoying the town centre—it’s old school, but they’ve got everything you need.”
For Sammy Hardy, Swindon isn’t just a stop on his van life journey; it’s a place of warmth, community, and fond memories that will always draw her back.
