Our leaflet, covering events from May 2012 to September 2012, is available as a downloadable PDF file:
Lydiard Events Leaflet (2.8Mb)
Like to hold an event at Lydiard?
The Great Western Embroiderers : Traditions
Until Sunday 10 June
Be amazed by the intricate, colourful, complex and attractive embroidery created especially for this display in Lydiard House by the Great Western Embroiderers. To accompany the display there will be a fantastic trail for children to hunt out handmade peg dolls. House entry charge applies.
May
Looking for Wildflowers
Sunday 27 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm
A guided walk to find and identify the species of wildflower found in the meadows, woodlands and surrounding the lakes of LydiardPark. Free but places must be booked in advance - please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk.
June
Dazzling Diamonds!
Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 June
Hunt for gems and jewels in this brand new quiz trail, inspired by the grand jewellery worn by the St John family. Finish your visit by making yourself a crown. Trail / craft activity included in normal admission charge.
Pond Dipping
Monday 4 & Tuesday 5 June, 11am to 12pm, 1.30 to 2.30pm
Join a fun pond dipping session to discover the secret wildlife that can be found in the lake at LydiardPark. £3 per child – children must be accompanied by an adult for these sessions. Places are limited so booking is essential, please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Tree Spirits and Wishing Tree Flags
Wednesday 6 June, 12 to 3pm
Use clay and natural materials make tree spirits and make a Wishing Tree flag for the Salisbury International Arts Festival. Free. Drop in between 12 to 3pm – children must be accompanied by an adult.
Greenwood Animal Sculptures
Thursday 7 & Friday 8 June, 10.30am to 12pm, 1 to 2.30pm
Use wood and craft materials to create your own woodland animal or insect to take home. £4 per child – children must be accompanied by an adult for these sessions. Places are limited so booking is essential, please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Race for Life
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June
Join the Lydiard Park Race for Life event this year and walk, jog or run to help more people survive cancer. Do it for you, do it for a loved one, for everyone affected by cancer. To find out more about this fun, friendly event go to http://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/index.html
Summer Tree Walk
Sunday 17 June,10.30am to 12.30pm
A morning walk to identify and learn more about the notable and historic trees within the park. Free but places must be booked in advance - please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Tree Medicinal uses of plants
Wednesday 20 June, 10 to 11am & 2 to 3pm & Saturday 23 June, 10 to 11am & 2 to 3pm
Explore the fascinating history of garden plants and their medicinal uses by Lady Johanna St John of Lydiard Park. Please book places in advance - please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Cycletta
Sunday 24 June
A women only bike ride, starting at Lydiard Park and taking in 40km route on quiet country roads. This event is part of a series of bike rides supported by Olympic Gold Medalist Victoria Pendelton and supporting Macmillan Cancer Care. Go to the website www.cycletta.co.uk now to find out more about the safely managed route, treat stops and the pamper zone at the finish in the Cycletta Village and tap into pre-event training advice, cycle fashion wear, and a range of motivational information to make the buildup to Cycletta fun and enjoyable.
July
Big Arts Day
Saturday 14 July, 12noon to 11pm
Swindon’s amazing arts festival returns with even more live music, dance, workshops, crafts and a spectacular finale! Free www.bigartsday.co.uk.
Royal Visits
Saturday 21 July to Sunday 16 September, 11am to 5pm
Follow in the footsteps of kings and queens as our summer exhibition shares the photos and stories behind Lydiard House’s royal visitors, from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth II, princes and princesses. During August, enjoy a fairy tale story telling session in the grand surroundings of the State Bedroom, every Tuesday at 2pm Normal admission charge applies.
NGS Walled Garden Open for Charity
Sunday 29 July, 11am to 5pm
The beautiful Georgian walled garden is open as part of the National Garden Scheme. £2.50 adult, £2 senior, £1 child - all proceeds donated to the NGS charities.
August
Swindon Youth Theatre present
Johanna's Miracle Garden
Friday 10, Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August, 1pm & 4pm
It’s 1680 and wealthy aristocrat, Lady Johanna St John of Lydiard Park, is putting together her “booke” of cures. Will the finest minds of medicine with their powerful potions, the herbalists with their potent plants or those with supernatural solutions give Lady Jo her ultimate recipe? Come on a magical adventure as talented young performers working with a professional production team bring Lady Jo’s story to life in an open-air show, aimed at a family audience.
Tickets: £7 adult, £4 junior (, £18 family (2 adult & 2 children).
Box Office 01793 614837, or online www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre
The Twits
Friday 17 August, 6.30pm
Mr and Mrs Twit loathe each other. They never wash and they live in a smelly old caravan next to a rotting tree. Bored of playing tricks on each other they decide to open a circus, capturing a family of monkeys and cruelly training them to perform in the ring. The local birds try to rescue the monkeys, but only with the audience's help will the Twits meet a sticky end and the monkeys finally be set free!
Following on from last year’s sell-out performance of ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’, Illyria Theatre Company promises a revoltingly funny show, from the pen of Roald Dahl - the most popular children's author in the world.
Tickets: £14 adult, £8 junior (3 to 15 years), £38 family (2 adult & 2 children).
Box Office 01793 614837 or online www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre
September
Late Summer Insects
Sunday 2 September, 2 to 4pm
Join us for an exploratory walk looking at the invertebrate wildlife of the park. Free but places must be booked in advance - please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Heritage Open Days
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 September, 11am to 5pm
Free entry to LydiardHouse & WalledGarden, the Church and the St John Triptych plus the ice house will also be open.
Autumn Wreath Making Workshop
Thursday 20 September, 10.30 to 11.30am, 2 to 3pm
Celebrate harvest by making your own seasonal home decoration with fresh and dried flowers and fruits. £10 per person. Booking is essential, please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Bats of Lydiard Park
Sunday 23 September, 6.30 to 9.30pm
An introductory talk on the bats found in the park, followed by an evening stroll around the grounds to find and identify bat species. £4 per person. Booking is essential, please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Autumn Fruits and Seeds
Sunday 30 September, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Join this popular walk to seek and learn about the natural fruits and seeds of autumn – “nature’s larder”, a traditional resource for the table as well as providing food for wildlife. Free but places must be booked in advance - please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk