Historic Houses and Gardens : Attractions of Swindon

LYDiARD PARK
Hook Street
Lydiard Tregoze
West Swindon
SN5 9PA
Tel: 01793 770401

Lydiard Park, the lovely yet little known ancestral home of the Viscounts Bolingbroke, lies in 260 acres of 18th Century parkland within easy reach of Junction 16 of the M4.

Rescued from ruin by Swindon Corporation in 1943, the House has been lovingly restored and welcomes visitors throughout the year.

Visitors are free to wander through the elegant ground floor apartments where ornate plasterwork and original family furnishings are preserved alongside portraits of the St John family who lived here in Elizabethan times.

A favourite attraction is the fascinating 17th century painted window, containing over a hundred pieces of glass exquisitely painted with flowers, figures, and mythical creatures.

The house is open Mon - Sat: 10am-5pm & Sun 2-5pm. Nov to Feb closes 4pm. The Grounds are open every day till dusk. Parking & entry to the Grounds is free. There is an admission charge for the House. Please contact The House on 01793 770401 for admission prices and group information.

BOWOOD HOUSE & GARDENS
Calne
Wiltshire
SN11 OLZ
Tel: 01249 812102
Fax: 01249 821757

Georgian house set in splendid Capability Brown parkland. Home of the Earl of Shelburne. Superb adventure playground for children.Restaurant, garden centre and golf course. Spectacular Rhododendron Walks open in season - late April to early June. House & Gardens open 1st April to 28th October from 11.00 - 5.30 daily.
Adults: £5.90; Children: £3.70; Senior Citizen: £4.90. Group rates available.
Entrance off the A4 in Derry Hill village, midway between Calne and Chippenham.
Disabled access limited. Disabled visitors admitted at half price. Wheelchair hire bookable in advance.

AVEBURY MANOR & GARDEN
Avebury
Wiltshire
Nr Marlborough
Tel: 01672 539250

National Trust house dating from 16th century. Peaceful Edwardian garden of topiary and shrubs. (House let and furnished as a private house.)
Open: 1st April to 31st October. House: Tue., Wed., Sun. and Bank Holiday Mondays, 2pm - 5.30pm. Adult: £3.50. Child: £1.70. Garden: Tue., Wed.,Fri., Sat., Sun. and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am - 5.30pm.
Follow A4361 from Swindon.

ABBEY HOUSE GARDENS
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9AS
Tel: 01666 822212
Fax: 01666 822782

if you only visit one private garden in the area, make it this one. This enchanting garden has been painstakingly restored by Barbara and ian Pollard. Marvel, relax and, if you’re a gardener, be inspired!
Open daily from 21st March to 31st October, 11am -6pm. Adult: £4.50 Child: £2 Senior Citizen: £4. Group rates available.
Not all areas are accessible to disabled visitors.
From Swindon take B4042. Gardens are next to Abbey in centre of Malmesbury.

GREAT WESTERN MAZE
Studley
Swindon
Tel: 01793 731806

Enjoy fun and spectacular views in the maize maze set in beautiful countryside. Car Parking is available.
Admission charges apply
Opening Hours: June-Sep 10am-6pm

WANBOROUGH HERB GARDEN
Callas Hill
Wanborough
Swindon
SN4 0DQ
Tel: 01793 790327

A specialist herb nursery where you can see and buy more unusual herbs and herbaceous plants, growing in gardens that have been chemical-free since 1923. Specialist advice is available from the owners, Robert and Peter Biggs. Children’s area. Parking. Admission free. 4 miles south of Swindon centre.
During January, visitors by appointment only..

TOWN GARDENS

Entrances from Quarry Road and Westlecot Road

Old Town
Swindon
Tel: 01793 771419

Town Gardens has an ornate bandstand, formal gardens and aviary. The gardens are also home to the Town Garden Bowl, one of the few concert bowls built in the UK. Open every day dawn till dusk, frequent band concerts are held on Sunday afternoons. The Town Gardens also play host to many of Swindons festivals through the summer months.

QUEENS PARK

Entrances from Durham Street off Victoria Road and Drove Road

Swindon
Tel: 01793 771419

Queens Park has a lake surrounded by walkways and open green areas that are home to a vast array of wildlife.

THE LAWN
High Street
Old Town
Swindon
Tel: 01793 771419

50-acre park with two lakes & panoramic views of Swindon and the Marlborough Downs. There are numerous paths suitable for wheelchairs, cycle routes.
Opening Hours: every day dawn-dusk

FARiNGDON PARK
Faringdon Road
Swindon
Tel: 01793 771419

Adjoining the Railway Village, the Park dates from the 1840’s when it belonged to the Great Western Railway.
Opening Hours: Every day dawn-dusk