Tales of Lydiard

There are dozens of interesting, quirky and sometimes scandalous stories from Lydiard House and Park and the Parish of Lydiard Tregoze’s ongoing history. Whether contained in the historical Reports of The Friends of Lydiard Tregoze, or collected through interviews, letters, diaries, and recordings, we are digitizing and adding these tales to The Lydiard Archives and making them freely available for visitors. They are a colourful and intriguing peephole into the events and people of Lydiard’s past, and we couldn’t resist sharing some of these fascinating stories with you here. If you have a Tale of Lydiard you’d like to share, do please contact us!
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Lydiard Ladies and Their Loyal Dogs
Published on: 25th September 2024

Dogs are a familiar sight in portraits and there are a couple featured in the collection at Lydiard Park. In one of Lady...

Lord of the Butterflies
Published on: 29th July 2024

In 1940 following the death of his mother, Vernon St.John 6th Viscount Bolingbroke had little option but to leave the...

From Lydiard to Mapledurham and the Tower of London | A tale of two families
Published on: 27th June 2024

In the peaceful countryside, facing each other across the River Thames, once lay two estates. On the north bank in...

A Lost Child Remembered – Elinor Lee 1635-1640
Published on: 25th June 2024

Trawling the Baptism Register for Lydiard Tregoze, local historian Frances Bevan recently discovered a surprising piece of...

Fred's Horses
Published on: 30th May 2024

"There was a meeting of two days at Newmarket this time of year, to see the sweetest little horse run that ever was; his...

Running Through History
Published on: 28th April 2024

Whether you are a dedicated park runner, or enjoy a regular dog walk or family cycle, you’ll be familiar with the open...

“Here is a good old mansion house…”
Published on: 28th March 2024

By the mid 19th century the Palladian mansion house at Lydiard Tregoze was a little the worse for wear. Generations of St...

The Forest of Braydon and Lydiard Park’s Veteran Trees
Published on: 28th February 2024

Map of Lydiard circa 1700 The great Forest of Braydon originally extended across North Wiltshire, covering much of the...

Why did the St.John family choose Bolingbroke?
Published on: 15th January 2024

When many people think of the name Henry Bolingbroke, the first character that comes to mind is John of Gaunt’s son Henry,...

Good Gentlewomen

The history of Lydiard House is woven through with the stories of remarkable women. Explore Frances Bevan’s Good Gentlewoman articles and learn about the diverse and determined women of the St John family.

Lady Johanna St.John, The Original Constant Gardener
Published on: 29th August 2024

Johanna St. John (1631-1705) married her distant cousin, Sir Walter St. John, 3rd Baronet, around 1651. This marriage...

Valezina Frohawk, 6th Viscountess Bolingbroke
Published on: 14th December 2023

You could be forgiven for not knowing who Valezina Frohawk was. She did not leave any mark on the Lydiard Estate, the...

Lady Katherine Grey
Published on: 2nd November 2023

On a recent visit to Salisbury Cathedral I discovered this magnificent memorial. I took a step back, well several infact as...

It's a small medieval world
Published on: 19th September 2021

If you think your family is quarrelsome, spare a thought for the Royal family. No, not the present one. I’m talking about...

Do you have a story/photo of Lydiard?

We’d love to hear your memories of Lydiard. The house, park and church have all featured in the lives of many local people, from the residents of the 1950’s Lydiard Park Estate to those who have grown up with the park as their playground and backdrop to memorable events. Do you have a story or photograph you’d like to share?

Submit a story/photo

As a Friend of Lydiard Park, you become part of its ongoing story. With your help, we can conserve and enhance this wonderful place and its many tales for the future.