The estate at Lydiard Park belonged to the St John family for over 500 years. In 1943, the then empty house was purchased by Swindon Corporation and effectively rescued from ruin. The Corporation set about restoring the fine Palladian House and tracing its original contents. The ground floor State Rooms at Lydiard House opened the house to the public in 1955 and are open for visits throughout the year.
As one of Wiltshire's smaller stately homes, Lydiard House benefits from a highly intimate atmosphere. Visitors are free to wander at leisure throughout the elegant ground floor apartments, where ornate plasterwork and original family furnishings are preserved alongside portraits and photographs of the St. John family who lived in Lydiard House from as far back as Elizabethan times.
Brought to life
Striking character figures of the family and their servants bring the house to life and their story is told through audio commentaries and displays. The collections continue to grow as further original items are traced and acquired for the museum.
Lydiard's curious 'Blue Closet' is devoted to the 18th Century society artist Lady Diana Spencer who shares a common ancestry with the late Princess of Wales. Lady Diana married into the St John family - becoming the 2nd Viscountess Bollingbroke, and by her second marriage, Diana Beauclerk. Her delightful wall panels, pictures of her children and Wedgwood China incorporating her designs are on display. Here too, a fascinating 17th Century painted window by Abraham Van Linge contains over 100 pieces of exquisitely painted glass figures, flowers, tiny flies and even an elephant.