Lydiard House and Park, Swindon

We love Lydiard Park as you can bring a BBQ in the summer and the kids can run about; we can spend a whole day here in the beautiful surroundings. The grounds are widespread, there are wooded areas, a lake and large gardens; but the kids love the huge playground so we usually set up our picnic site close by and don’t get a chance to walk throughout the grounds. The house also, is open to the public, but the kids have been too busy in the playground for us to have a look yet! The café is good, offering hot meals and lots of children’s options.

We really enjoyed a day out at Lydiard Park. We visited at Easter in order to enjoy the ‘animal print’ Easter hunt around the park, which cost just one pound. The park is very pretty and the children enjoyed the lake and climbing on the fallen logs. There is a big café, which looked good, but the queues were very long so we didn’t try it. The toilet facilities are good and very clean. The kids loved the play areas best, which are extensive. The larger play area for older children has some brilliant climbing and swinging frames, and the small play area is equally engaging for little ones. A great day out.

The park is on the west side of Swindon with it’s large grounds and lake. You can take a lovely stroll around, feed the ducks and have a picnic. Ball games are allowed too so we often take a badminton set or a football. The large play area is very impressive and has sections for both older and younger children. The kids could spend hours here but we always try and have a walk down to the lake too. Right beside the play area is a café (not the best quality food but handy if you are stuck) which has benches outside as well as seating inside. Parking is fine but can become crowded during the summer.

Fantastic playground which is also free which is a massive bonus. They have spent a lot on this playground and it shows. You could spend a whole day at lydiard park, walk around the woods, visit the house and gardens, watch some football matches or just spend ages on the park. My 7 year old loves the zip wire. There is a separate play park for smaller children. They have a cafe on site as well as lots of toilets. This place has been really well thought out. Highly recommended.

We think this is definitely the best park in Swindon. As well as a superb play area it has lovely, well-kept grounds, a recently restored lake and a wooded area you can walk through. Lydiard House is also worth a visit if you have time, but you have to pay to go in. The play area caters for children of all ages with an area for pre-school children containing sandpits, small climbing frames and a large swing that can hold several kids. The area for the older children is huge and has a flying fox, large pyramid shaped climbing net, climbing frames, a tyre swing, slides and much more. Beside the play area are two large grassed area where you can take your barbecue and play ball/racket games. Many people seem to hold family events and parties here. There is a small café serving hot drinks, snacks and ice creams too. It can get busy on summer weekends but there is plenty here to keep the kids amused for most of the day.