Lydiard Park & House Palladian house, church and walled garden

Researched and published by The Swindon Post. Last reviewed 6 February 2026.

Lydiard Park is a 260-acre historic estate on the western edge of Swindon. It combines a Palladian mansion, St Mary's Church, and a restored Georgian walled garden set in parkland. Owned by Swindon Borough Council, it's a popular destination for family days out, walks, events, and weddings. The house museum, church, and walled garden are open seasonally – the park itself is free to explore year-round.

Lydiard House and parkland viewed across the lake
Lydiard Park – Palladian house, church, and walled garden in 260 acres of parkland. Credit: The Swindon Post

Key Information

Website
lydiardpark.org.uk
Location
~3 miles west of Swindon town centre
Park
Free to explore – dogs welcome. Parking charges apply.

Lydiard House

Lydiard House is a Grade I listed Palladian mansion, built in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the home of the St John family for over 500 years. The house is celebrated for its ornate plasterwork, original furnishings, and family portraits dating from Elizabethan times.

The State Rooms are open Wed–Sun 11am–4pm (last admission 3:30pm) from April. Book online or on the day.

Lydiard House Museum admission (Feb 2026)
TicketDaySeason (12 months)
Adult£6.70£13.40
Child (3–15)£3.65£7.30
Senior (65+) / Student£5.85£11.70
2 adults + 2 children£18.65£28.00
Under 3sFree—

Source: Lydiard Park

St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church stands next to Lydiard House and holds monuments to the St John family. Highlights include a unique Polyptych (multi-panel altarpiece) and the Golden Cavalier statue. The church is part of the historic estate and well worth a visit when the house is open.

The Walled Garden

The Georgian ornamental fruit and flower walled garden has been faithfully restored. It features displays of flowers, fruit trees, and topiary, with a bronze sundial at its centre. Open 10am–4pm daily. Separate admission: Adult £3.15, Child £1.85, Senior/Student £2.45. Under 3s free. Buy at the House Museum on the day.

Parking

Pay to park when visiting – charges apply for car parks and grass verges. Hay Lane entrance: 24-hour vehicle access. Hook Street gates close at dusk. See Swindon Borough Council for current tariffs.

Parkland

The 260-acre park offers woodland walks, grand avenues, a lake, and open grassland. There's evidence of the former estate including a castellated dam wall and ice house. The park is ideal for walking, running, and cycling. Dogs are welcome.

Picnic spots are plentiful, and BBQs can be hired in summer. There's a children's play area near the Forest Café. Jungle Parc – treetop adventure courses for children and adults – is also at Lydiard; book at jungleparc.co.uk.

Café and facilities

The Coach House Tea Rooms and Forest Café serve refreshments. The park has toilets, including a Changing Places facility. Lydiard Park Hotel & Conference Centre on site offers accommodation, weddings, and events.

Events

Lydiard Park runs events throughout the year including Open Air Theatre, live music, The Luna Cinema, and more. The Great British Food Festival comes to Lydiard each August – chef demos, artisan stalls, live music and family fun. You can book Great British Food Festival tickets in advance. It also hosts the Royal British Legion's Field of Remembrance and Cancer Research UK's Race for Life. See lydiardpark.org.uk/events for what's on.

Plan your visit

Park is free; House and Walled Garden have admission. Check opening times before you go.

Lydiard Park – opening times & prices

References & sources

  1. Lydiard Park – Opening times & prices (accessed February 2026)

Information correct as of February 2026. Opening times and prices vary by season. Always check lydiardpark.org.uk before visiting. For more parks and green spaces, see our guide to parks and green spaces in Swindon.