Lydiard Park is a fantastic place for a stroll through peaceful gardens or a day out with the whole family, taking in the history of the local area. Explore the ornate rooms in Lydiard House, take a peaceful moment in St. Mary’s Church, and see the different types of trees and topiaries in the park.
Written mentions of the park date back to around 1189. For the first few hundred years, it was used as a deer park and was owned by multiple affluent families, including the Tregoze family and the Grandison family. Learn how parts of the grounds were used during World War II as a military hospital.
One of the most notable landmarks within the park is Lydiard House. Step inside this beautiful manor house and you will see original furnishings that once belonged to the house’s earliest residents. Today, it operates as a museum. Admire the rich red wallpaper in the drawing room, where family portraits hang on every wall.
On a nice day, bring a picnic to Lydiard Park and sit and enjoy the views over its hundreds of acres. Walk past woodlands, sit next to a peaceful lake or watch animals grazing in pastures. There are playgrounds for the children, as well as wide paths that make it easy to run or ride a bike. As you walk along, take note of interesting features such as the Ice House, which was once used to chill food in the summer months.
Finish your visit to Lydiard Park with a stop at the Walled Gardens. The flowers and plants here are replaced seasonally so visitors can enjoy the landscaping year round. Try and spot wildlife, such as the butterflies and bees that are often seen in the garden.
Entry to the grounds of Lydiard Park is free to all, though there is an admission charge for the Walled Gardens and Lydiard House. Access the park by car, and pay for parking by the hour in the nearby parking lot.
