At the heart of Lydiard Park lies the grand neo-Palladian house; formally owned, for many generations, by the Viscounts Bollingbroke. The house has undergone many alterations over the years as it has passed down through the family line, reaching a prominence in the early 19th century. By the time of WWII, however, it had fallen into a poor state of repair and the grounds were even used as a German prisoner of war camp. The Swindon Corporation eventually purchased the house and it was renovated and opened to the public in the 1950's.
The grounds of the estate have played host to numerous concerts and festivals over the years, and, as well as the large scale productions, there are also many other events throughout the year such as nature walks, marathons, cycle races, etc. It is a popular place for dog walkers and joggers and is a well-known location for hosting impromptu barbeques and other family-orientated outdoor activities.
Like most public places, if you wish to visit with birdwatching as your main aim then early mornings are best - before the park gets too busy. There are various wooded areas throughout the grounds, which garner species such as Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Song and Mistle Thrushes are often seen, and during the Summer months warblers, including Blackcap and Willow Warbler, can be heard singing in the woodland. Siskins have been recorded as well, usually in wintertime. The surrounding fields are also worth scanning for raptors such as Hobby and Kestrel.
There are two lakes in the grounds, which attract birds including Grey Wagtail, Coot and Moorhen. Little Grebe are usually in residence, sometimes in impressive numbers - 37 on one count! Grey Herons may be seen on the banks of the stream which runs through the park, and the adjacent fields are usually populated by large numbers of corvids. Other, typical species, can also be found there.
The main entrance and parking area is off the minor road between Freshbrook and Hook, where there are ample parking spaces available. You can also walk there from Grange Park and Middleleaze.
