Not just an HQ building... Heelis has a lovely National Trust gift shop and an upscale café at the front of the ground floor. Formerly overlooked by many shoppers as the public areas were not obvious from the outside. Now much easier to spot with tables and chairs and café signage outside. A refurbishment in April 2017 has made the interior much more vibrant and welcoming, including an improved café on the right, the shop moved to the centre, and a new reception, members' and volunteers' area on the left. Great service from the café today. Reception staff were very keen to discuss the positive changes, still in progress.
Michael Billinge-Jones
+4
Head office of National Trust. Staff I the shop and cafe are friendly. Food is if a high standard as you expect from NT. They could do much better with the shop offering though. The old style shop was better stocked. The new layout looks like a fill in between reception and the cafe, Shame as it it should be 100% as it their HO.
We used the big, spacious cafe and browsed the gift shop. A nice airy change from the cafes in the outlet centre itself. I had the all day breakfast frittata which came with slaw and a lot of salad.
The toilets are unisex with integral hand washing, as they are in really modern establishments.
Highly recommend.
Good quaity food - relaxing very nice. Kitchen closes at 2.30 pm
![4]( "Recensione")
Stopped off on our way by to grab a late lunch in the cafe. Lovely calm and spacious surroundings in which to dine. As always with national trust cafes /restaurants the menu / drinks selection is well thought out offering a twist on reliable dishes, and tasty too. A very happy moment was when the inner bargain hunter in me found the reduced sandwiches on offer late in the afternoon for a pound each! I wish more national trust cafes offered this but I do understand that the cafe must act as a canteen for the office workers at Heelis and unlike so many other national trust properties it benifits from being in a high foot fall area, therefore they have a higher need to turnover any remaining unsold food. Aside from the cafe there's not an awful lots there to see, a mediumly stocked shop (no children's toys really so beware downhearted kiddies) and a general reception for the building. To be fair though we arrived around four after a long day at the neighbouring musuem so we didn't have a whole lot of time or energy to explore.
I would like to thank the person at the Reception this morning (Monday August 22nd), she was extremely helpful, we went to Heelis because I am not a UK resident and I was afraid to send my completed National Trust passport from home, with all the problems with the post due to the Brexit. I was addressed here from Chedworth Roman Villa to leave my passport physically, and it was a good decision.
Well worth seeing. On field trip with Yr6 class, learned about WWII, experienced air raid shelter and what it was like to board train to countryside to flee bombings of city. Amazing and powerfully moving. For train enthusiasts, this place is a must see! Kid friendly. Great displays
National Trust administrative headquarters that happens to have a café next door to help support and promote the charity's aims - along with other organisations helps to preserve history that would otherwise be lost to private investors
Conveniently situated in the middle of Swindon Wiltshire
Convenient location for the train station and not as busy on the café side as other places but when I went it was good but sadly the cafe is now closed and is the administrative HQ for National trust
Just a basic honest to goodness Travelodge. Friendly staff. Decent sized rooms.
Beware at weekends - The Crown next door can have some noisy revellers till 1am
Esteemed charity with the great legacy of more than 125 years. National Trust people are putting their best skills and abilities to enable UK heritage intact. All National Trust properties and places are worth visiting. National Trust enables their members, visitors and supporters to have a great experience whenever they visit National Trust properties and places. No doubt of it being 5 star organisation.
Make a reservation
Order online
Find the best restaurant in Swindon
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes