Barber Shop
in Swindon.
Walk-in haircuts, sharp fades, beard trims and proper service. Come as you are, find a chair and leave looking your best.
Barbers in Swindon.
Here for everyone.
Route 8 started in Swindon with one clear aim: to offer good barbering while making a positive difference in the community. Today our North Swindon shop remains a familiar place for classic cuts, modern fades, beard grooming and children's haircuts.
You'll find us at Unit B10 in North Swindon Orbital Centre, opposite the library. That means free parking and plenty of other shops on the same trip. Whether you live in Abbey Meads, Oakhurst, Haydon Wick, Greenmeadow, Moredon, Penhill or the wider Swindon area, our shop is designed to be easy to reach.
We welcome different hair types and textures, including Afro and Black hair, and we cut short styles for women as well as men. You do not need a particular style in mind: talk to a barber about how your hair grows, how much time you spend styling and what look you want to maintain.
Explore Swindon barbers REAL SHOPS. REAL BARBERS. NO STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY. Our barber shops.
From the original Swindon barbershop to our Bristol shops and the Barber Pod concept, Route 8 has grown while keeping its local character.
Swindon
Unit B10, North Swindon Orbital Centre, Swindon SN25 4AN
Emersons Green
Emersons Green Retail Park, Emerson Way, Bristol BS16 7AE
Bradley Stoke
The Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 8FB
Oxford Botley
The Barber Pod, Botley Road Retail Park, Botley Road, Oxford OX2 0HY
Reading
The Barber Pod, Reading Gate Retail Park, Reading RG2 0QG
Basingstoke
Chineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke RG24 8BQ
Milton Keynes
The Barber Pod, Kingston Centre, Milton Keynes MK10 0BA
Branch addresses and operating details are being reconciled for this private concept. Check with the shop before travelling.
The right cut, whatever your style.
A great haircut feels right long after you leave the chair. Our barbers work with the shape, texture and growth of your hair, whether you want a classic tidy-up, a clean skin fade or something different.
We offer straightforward clipper cuts, scissor work, low and high tapers, beard grooming, children's cuts and restyles. Our service guide explains what each type of cut involves so you can describe exactly what you want. Pricing differs by location, so use the price guide as a starting point.
Made for the chair.
No borrowed salon photos. The spaces, tools and people you see are from Route 8's own website. The final build will use the owner's high-resolution original photography.
Good work extends beyond the chair.
Route 8 has long seen its role as something bigger than providing haircuts. Sylvester's belief in treating people with dignity shapes community projects, training opportunities and support for those going through difficult times.
From free haircuts for people experiencing homelessness to visits for those who cannot get to a shop, the aim is simple: do what you can with the skills you have. It is an important part of why Route 8 exists.
Learn a trade. Build a future.
For Route 8, barbering is more than a job. It can be a skill that creates independence, purpose and a route into employment.
The training information on the existing site describes a mix of full-time, part-time and evening courses for beginners and people looking to improve their skills. Learning includes clipper techniques, scissor work, fades, beard shaping, finishing, customer service and what it takes to work in a real shop.
Route 8 also talks openly about supporting young people and individuals who need another opportunity. Training, experience and encouragement can make a practical difference when someone is ready to start afresh.
Explore barber trainingChristmas is for everyone.
A hot meal, somewhere to sit and people who care. Route 8's community work has included free Christmas meals and support for people who might otherwise spend the day alone.
From the first Swindon Christmas gathering in 2022 to larger meals and food parcels in later years, the events rely on volunteers, donations and people willing to get involved. The founder has also helped organise free cuts and fundraising for local causes.
The original website reports nearly 60 people served at the first 2022 event, around 140 meals in 2024 and nearly 200 in 2025. These are historical published figures, not an offer or booking for a future event.
Read the Christmas storyBARBERING WITH PURPOSE. SWINDON AND BEYOND.Before you visit.
Most questions have a straightforward answer. Here's what to expect from a visit, and where to find more detail about individual Route 8 locations.
Still got a question? Get in touch ↗Do I need to book an appointment at Route 8 Barbers?
Route 8 is primarily a walk-in barbershop, and the existing website advertises walk-ins without an appointment. Opening hours and any booking arrangements can vary by shop, so check the location information before travelling.
Where is Route 8 Barbers in Swindon?
Our Swindon shop is at Unit B10 in the North Swindon Orbital Centre, near the library. The centre has parking, other shops and facilities nearby. Use the Swindon location page for directions and current published hours.
Can I pay with cash or card?
The existing Route 8 site advertises cash and card payments at its shops. Check locally if you need to use a particular payment method.
Do you cut children's hair and Afro/textured hair?
Yes. Route 8 advertises children's cuts and barbering for a range of hair textures, including Afro and Black hair, as well as short hairstyles for clients of different genders. Individual specialists and services can vary by location.
Are you open on Sundays?
Sunday opening varies by branch. The published hours list Sunday trading for Swindon and Bradley Stoke, but Emersons Green as closed. See the location pages and verify local hours, especially on bank holidays.
Do you offer barber training?
Route 8 describes practical training for new and developing barbers, including full-time, part-time and evening routes. Course details, fees and dates should be checked directly with the team before enrolment.