Major refurbishment at jewel of Swindon's heritage crown

By Barrie Hudson - 26 May 2022

AttractionsFood & Drink

Lydiard Park’s Hotel and Conference Centre has undergone a major refurbishment.

Owner Swindon Borough Council says the work was part of an ongoing project to make the country park more sustainable.

The council has invested £600,000 in the new modern facilities, which also include the new Parkside Bar and Restaurant. The refurbishments will continue into next year to bring the facilities up to a modern standard, which the council says will increase revenue opportunities to help with the running of the wider park.

Open to park visitors, the new bar and restaurant will be open from 8am until 9pm with a gastro-style menu.

The restaurant will launch this weekend - 28 and 29 May - with a bar taster menu for residents to come along and try. Lunch dishes can be bought on the day with a full launch next Sunday, 5 June including a Sunday roast.

Plans are also in place to introduce a traditional Sunday carvery. Bookings can be made for meals online via Lydiard Park’s new website - www.lydiardpark.org.uk

Inside the new hotel and conference centre, guests are promised fresh, spacious and modern facilities with three new bedrooms, including a family suite, a disability accessible room and a bridal suite for those looking to get married in the setting of the Georgian Stately Home.

All 31 of the hotel’s bedrooms have also been refreshed, and the bar and lobby area has been opened up into the Luxborough event space, a change intended to make the room appear spacious, light and inviting.

The creation of the new event space has allowed the venue to put on a calendar of tribute and party nights, with artists appealing to all musical tastes. Dinner event evenings have been planned to offer a three-course meal with entertainment from artists such as The West End Jersey Boys, Abba Revival and tributes to Motown and Soul. Those attending can also take advantage of party night room rates with breakfast. A full list of events is available at www.lydiardpark.org.uk/events

The council says the fully-refurbished bridal suite and improvements to the events space have made the hotel a perfect location for weddings, with a newly-created walkway from the adjacent St Mary’s Church into Lydiard House as well as four ceremony spaces all under one roof.

Couples can choose to be married in the church itself or take advantage of Lydiard House’s Great Hall. Ceremonies can also now be hosted in Lydiard’s Walled Garden. Wedding packages start from £5,000 with multiple food packages and drinks packages available.

Cllr Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “I was absolutely bowled over by the transformation of Lydiard’s hotel and conference facilities which form part of our strategy to make the much-loved country park sustainable so it does not require ongoing subsidy from the Council.

“I often visit Lydiard with my young family and I am sure the new Parkside Bar and Restaurant will be a big hit with visitors who want to spend time in the beautiful park, particularly at weekends.

“If you want to get a taste of what Lydiard now has to offer please visit our new website - www.lydiardpark.org.uk - to see for yourself.”

Lydiard Park offers 260 acres of outdoor space and hosts events throughout the year including family activities with popular children’s TV characters and social events such as festivals.

There is also a barbecue area which is open from April until September, and bookings can now be made online via the website.

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