Swindon's Magic Roundabout is an Insane 6-Circle Traffic Junction
England, europe
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
# Swindon's Magic Roundabout
If you think British roundabouts are straightforward, think again. Welcome to the Magic Roundabout in Swindon, Wiltshire—arguably one of the most mind-bending traffic circles on the planet. This isn't your average junction; it's basically five mini-roundabouts spinning clockwise around a central roundabout that goes the opposite direction. Yep, you read that right.
Nestled near the County Ground (home of Swindon Town F.C.), this traffic marvel opened in September 1972, dreamed up by engineer Frank Blackmore. The name? A cheeky nod to that quirky 1960s European kids' TV show—because nothing says "serious traffic engineering" quite like a reference to a psychedelic children's program.
Built at the convergence of five major roads, the Magic Roundabout is pretty much one of a kind in the UK. First-time drivers? Expect bewilderment. In 2009, it was actually voted the fourth scariest junction in Britain—yikes. But here's the interesting bit: despite being genuinely intimidating, the accident rate is surprisingly low for such a busy intersection. Sure, there were 14 serious accidents and over a hundred minor ones over 25 years, but statistically, that's better than expected.
Cyclists and motorcyclists have historically had the roughest time here, which prompted the addition of a dedicated cycle lane circling the outside and pelican crossings. So while the Magic Roundabout might look chaotic, it's actually remarkably safe and efficient—a true engineering paradox.
Where is it?
Swindon's Magic Roundabout is an Insane 6-Circle Traffic Junction is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 51.5628, -1.7714
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 51.5628, -1.7714
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