Our leaflet, covering events from May to September 2013, is available as a downloadable PDF file:
Lydiard Park Events Leaflet (2.8Mb)
Please click on the link here if you are interested in finding out more about holding an event at Lydiard Park?
New display in Lydiard House - Herbalist, housekeeper, heroine: Lady Johanna
On now until Sunday 30 June
This new display, through the State Rooms, tells the fascinating story of Lady Johanna St John, a 17th century gentlewoman and herbal healer.
The Woodvilles - 15th century historic re-enactment group
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 May, 11am to 5pm
Come along to the park to see a living history encampment with The Woodvilles - a late medieval re-enactment group. Their camp will be open all weekend with presentations of 15th century work and trade, cookery demonstrations and displays of civilian and military costumes. There will be 2 thrilling displays of late medieval firepower in the Walled Garden at 12.30pm and 4pm - walled garden entry applies.
Bluebell & other Woodland Flowers Walk
Sunday 19 May, 10am to 12noon
Join the Lydiard Park Warden, for a morning stroll through the woodlands identifying flowers. This walk is free but places need to be booked in advance by calling us on 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk.
Fruit Tree Pruning & Training
Wednesday 22 and Sunday 26 May, 2 to 3pm
A hands on session in the Walled Garden looking at cherry, peach and damson trees. £15 per person, to book please call 017993 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Half term event - Pond Dipping
Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 May, sessions from 10am to 11am and 11.30am to 12.30pm
Discover more about the mini-beasts and wildlife that lurks beneath the surface of Lydiard Park's lakes. This is a practical session to find and identify wildlife - £3 per child. Numbers are limited so do book to avoid disappointment. Please call us on 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk to book places. Suitable for children aged 5+ - children must be accompanied by an adult.
June
Lady Johanna's Garden - guided tour of Walled Garden
Saturday 1 June, 11am to 12noon, Wed 5 June 2 to 3pm, Friday 28 June 11am to 12noon and Sunday 30 June, 2 to 3pm
This June, we'll be running several special guided tours of the Walled Garden that focus on plants and their medicinal uses, including some of the plants that were referenced in Lady Johanna St John's book of cures. A new display in Lydiard House tells the story of her life & times and her interest in herbal cures. £5 per person, please book a place by calling 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Race for Life
Sunday 2 June
Women across the country are uniting to fight cancer - join them by entering this event at Lydiard Park - you can walk, run or jog the 5k and raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Full details and on-line registration at http://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/index.html
Summer Tree Walk
Sunday 9 June, 2 to 4pm
Join the Warden for a stroll around the park looking at the historic species of trees and giving more information on our woodland management plans. Free but booking is required - please call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Step out for Stroke
Sunday 23 June
Step out for Stroke is event that everyone can be part of, and you can set your own challenge depending on your own abilities. Walk with friends, family, a group from the office or on your own, whatever your reason, sign up today to support the Stroke Association - for full details of this event and how to take part, please click on this link to go to their website: http://www.stroke.org.uk/event/step-out-stroke-lydiard-park-swindon
July
Open air theatre - Romeo & Juliet
Friday 5 July, 7.30pm
Two innocent lovers fail victim to family hatred and cruel destiny - as the heat rises and fervour mounts, power, passion and politics all play their part in a production that combines thrills, masks, dance, blades, potions and poetry.
National touring company, Heartbreak Productions, return to Lydiard Park with a new adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
Tickets: £14 adult, £9 child, £40 (2 adults & 2 children) available from Swindon Arts Centre, Box office tel no: 01793 614837 or on-line at www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre
New display at Lydiard House - 160 Camp: The Lydiard Park Prisoner of War Camp
Saturday 20 July to Sunday 17 November
This new display within the State Rooms of Lydiard House tells the story of the Second World War Prisoner of War Hospital Camp that was located within the park and features photos, maps and true stories about the inmates, doctors and guards. Normal admission charge.
Family walk
Wednesday 31 July, 11am to 12noon
Celebrating Love Parks Week
Open air theatre - The Tales of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny
Friday 26 July, 6.30pm
Peter Rabbit knows he shouldn't go into Mr McGregor's garden but he can't resist! He gets into all kinds of scrapes and after a severe telling-off from his mother, Peter and Benjamin have to go back to recover his lost clothes.
Suitable for all the family, the story of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny is brought to life by Quantum Theatre.
Tickets: £14 adult, £9 child, £40 family (2 adults & 2 children) available from Swindon Arts Centre, Box office tel no: 01793 614837 or on-line at www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre
National Gardens Scheme Walled Garden Open for Charity
Sunday 28 July, 11am to 5pm
Our beautiful Georgian Walled Garden will be open again this year as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Special entry charge of £2.50 adults, £2 senior and £1 child applies and all the proceeds go to the NGS chosen charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Help the Hospices. For details of other gardens open in Wiltshire and beyond, go to www.ngs.org.uk
August
Dig For Victory
Sunday 11 August, 2 to 3pm
A talk in the Walled Garden about how land was used to grow fruit and vegetables during the Second World War and types of plant grown. £10 includes garden entry - please book place by calling Lydiard Park on 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk
Open air theatre - Babe the Sheep-Pig
Friday 16 August, 6.30pm
By Dick King-Smith, adapted by David Wood
Farmer Hoggett wins a piglet at the fair and we all know the fate of farm pigs. Adopted by Fly the sheepdog, Babe starts herding sheep using politeness, when he's entered into the sheep dog trials, he needs Fly's help, all his wits and as much politeness as he muster, if he's going to get the sheep to co-operate and save his life.
Another family show from Illyria, who entertained audiences at Lydiard Park with their Roald Dahl adaptations of "The Twits" and "Fantastic Mr Fox".
Tickets: £14 adult, £9 child, £40 family (2 adult & 2 children) available from Swindon Arts Centre, Box office tel no: 01793 614837 or on-line at www.wegottickets.com/swindonartscentre
September
Heritage Open Weekend
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September, 11am to 5pm
Free entry to the State Rooms of Lydiard House and the Walled Garden all day as part of the national celebrate of our heritage. St Mary's Church and the famous St John triptych along with the unique Ice House will also be open to the public.
October
Autumn's Bounty
Sunday 6 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm
A guided walk around the park looking at varieties of fruits and seeds found in the park - "nature's larder", a source of food for animals, birds and insects as well as for making jams and preserves. Free but booking is required, call 01793 770401 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk