Lydiard House and Park are all that remain of a once great estate which belonged to the St John family, Viscounts Bolingbroke, for over 500 years. You can see their portraits, from Elizabethan times onwards, in the elegant State Rooms of Lydiard House and monuments to them adorn the adjacent Church of St. Mary’s.
The St. John’s story is inseparable from the great events of British history, affected by their kinship to the Tudor monarchy and played out in their tragic involvement in the bloody Civil War. Political fame in the 18th century was followed by years of financial decline triggered by the 2nd Vsct. Bolingbroke’s penchant for gambling and lavish expenditure. As the St. John’s fortunes declined Lydiard House fell into increasing neglect, eventually leading to its sale to Swindon Corporation in 1943.
The St. John’s departure was by no means the end of the story. Swindon Corporation’s purchase and restoration of Lydiard House and Park, is a remarkable tale of vision and determination, shared and remembered by many thousands of people to this day.
In the peaceful countryside, facing each other across the River Thames, once lay two estates. On the north bank in...
Trawling the Baptism Register for Lydiard Tregoze, local historian Frances Bevan recently discovered a surprising piece of...
"There was a meeting of two days at Newmarket this time of year, to see the sweetest little horse run that ever was; his...
Whether you are a dedicated park runner, or enjoy a regular dog walk or family cycle, you’ll be familiar with the open...
By the mid 19th century the Palladian mansion house at Lydiard Tregoze was a little the worse for wear. Generations of St...
Map of Lydiard circa 1700 The great Forest of Braydon originally extended across North Wiltshire, covering much of the...
When many people think of the name Henry Bolingbroke, the first character that comes to mind is John of Gaunt’s son Henry,...
Looking at Lydiard Park's beautiful grounds and playing fields in 2023 it is hard to imagine they were once occupied by a...
The turning of the year and the beginning of a new century appear to have made little impact on the establishment at Hook...
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.
You could be forgiven for not knowing who Valezina Frohawk was. She did not leave any mark on the Lydiard Estate, the...
On a recent visit to Salisbury Cathedral I discovered this magnificent memorial. I took a step back, well several infact as...
If you think your family is quarrelsome, spare a thought for the Royal family. No, not the present one. I’m talking about...
The magnificent tomb of Elizabeth, Lady Berkeley stands against the south wall of the chancel in the church of St. Dunstan...
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/photoAs 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.