Art & Interiors

When Swindon Corporation purchased Lydiard Park in 1943, the ground floor State Rooms were empty but for plaster busts integral to its fine plasterwork and an overlooked marble bust of Henry Bolingbroke. Since the 1960s a huge effort has been made to trace and return original items to the rooms, conserve or restore original decorative schemes based on historic evidence, and present the rooms as closely as possible to their former lived-in appearance. 

This collection focuses on furnishing, pictures and decorative art which is original to the House, including items not generally on display, such as nineteenth century inventories and objects which are now held in other public or private collections. Also included are significant exhibits acquired by Swindon Council which complement the rooms or reflect the story of Lydiard House. 

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Art & Interiors

Featured Items

Painted panel by Lady Diana Beauclerk, c1800
Painted panel by Lady Diana Beauclerk, c1800

One of a set of nine painted panels by the widowed...

Marble bust of Henry St.John, 1st Visct Bolingbroke (1678-1751), by Michael Rysbrack
Marble bust of Henry St.John, 1st Visct Bolingbroke (1678-1751), by Michael Rysbrack

The bust, depicting Henry St.John, 1st Visct Bolin...

Vincennes porcelain beakers and saucers, eighteenth century
Vincennes porcelain beakers and saucers, eighteenth century

Two beakers and saucers of Vincennes porcelain whi...

The State Bed, Lydiard House
The State Bed, Lydiard House

The State Bed at Lydiard Park is an 18th century f...

Drawing of Drawing Room, Lydiard House by Frank Quinton, c1995
Drawing of Drawing Room, Lydiard House by Frank Quinton, c1995

An accomplished pencil sketch of the chimney piece...

Roy Webb wallpapering at Lydiard House, 1981
Roy Webb wallpapering at Lydiard House, 1981

The Direct Labour Organisation of Swindon Council...

Mechanical desk by Giovanni Socchi, early 19th Century
Mechanical desk by Giovanni Socchi, early 19th Century

This rare Empire style mechanical desk by the Ital...

Embroidered and gilded ladies chair, nineteenth century
Embroidered and gilded ladies chair, nineteenth century

This small gilded ladies chair is original to Lydi...

Painted window by Abraham Van Linge, 1630
Painted window by Abraham Van Linge, 1630

Lydiard's curious painted window is a remnant of t...

Lord Bolingbroke's Brood Mare in the Grounds of Lydiard Park by George Stubbs
Lord Bolingbroke's Brood Mare in the Grounds of Lydiard Park by George Stubbs

A modern copy of this fine painting by the equestr...