Rainbow Bookshop

Edgeware Road, Swindon - next to the Parish Office

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday:  9.00am - 5.00pm

Telephone: 01793 694583
   Fax: 01793 491065
E.mail: rainbowbookshop@btinternet.com

Owned by the Parish of Swindon New Town, this large shop caters for all religious needs. 

An extensive range of Bibles, books, devotional items, gifts and Altar requisites is also available.  We are able to supply mail order on request. 

We carry a wide selection of cards for all occasions, particularly  religious events, at prices ranging from 30p. 

Our friendly staff are always ready to help and would be delighted to see you.

Historical background

In 1966, the Victorian St. Paul’s Church, in the town centre, was demolished to make way for the retail development of Woolworth’s.  The site was sold by the Church Commissioners, with the proviso that a chapel would be built on a piece of the consecrated ground.  Thus a new building was erected, incorporating a small modern Chapel, dedicated to St. Aldhelm, the first Abbot of Malmesbury, and a hall which could be used by the local community.  In the mid 1970’s the Vicar at the time, Fr. Allan Hawkins conceived the notion of a religious bookshop to minister to the local community, and in 1978 the Rev’d William Awdry, author of “Thomas the Tank Engine”, came to open the original, small shop.  Two separate expansion programmes have been undertaken in the intervening years, and the current premises offer an even greater range of goods.