Jubilee Collection

The Friends of Lydiard Park were deeply saddened by of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and give thanks for her life and 70 years of service to the nation.

Earlier this year we celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee with a collection of photographs, recollections, audio and memorabilia that tell the story of her majesty's visit to Lydiard Park in November 1997. The excitement and pleasure she brought to many people on that occasion is fondly remembered. 

From cheering crowds of local school children to a formal reception in the State Rooms and luncheon upstairs the visit went without a hitch, despite challenges experienced in the kitchen. Mike Gough who was General Manager of Lydiard Park Conference Centre and Sarah Finch-Crisp, former Keeper of Lydiard House, recall behind the scenes preparations from sniffer dogs to perfecting the menu while former Mayoress of Swindon, Sheila Fanning, describes her lunch with the Queen and some amusing moments involving a royal handbag and gloves! It was a big day in Lydiard's history - the previous visit by a monarch being over 400 years earlier by Queen Elizabeth 1st in 1592. This time no one was knighted, but many happy memories were created.

Travelling back in time to the coronation celebrations of 1953 we are also delighted to bring you rare photographs of local children decked out in fancy dress for the occasion. Just as happened all over the country, families living in 'the camp' at Lydiard Park held their own special celebrations.


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Jubilee Collection

Featured Items

Photographs (4) of HRM Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lydiard House, 1997
Photographs (4) of HRM Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lydiard House, 1997

HRM Queen Elizabeth II visited Swindon on 7th Nove...

Photographs (4) Lydiard Park Camp Coronation Celebrations, 1953
Photographs (4) Lydiard Park Camp Coronation Celebrations, 1953

Residents of the Lydiard Park estate ('the camp')...

Reflections on the day the Queen came to Swindon by former Mayoress Sheila Fanning
Reflections on the day the Queen came to Swindon by former Mayoress Sheila Fanning

Former Mayoress of Swindon, Sheila Fanning, shares...

Newspaper cutting - Painting Fit For A Queen, 1997
Newspaper cutting - Painting Fit For A Queen, 1997

The article records that a painting by Swindon art...

The Day I met the Queen - Link Magazine Article, 1997
The Day I met the Queen - Link Magazine Article, 1997

An article by Keeper of Lydiard House, Sarah Finch...

Recollections of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lydiard Park by Mike Gough
Recollections of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lydiard Park by Mike Gough

Mike Gough, General Manager at Lydiard Park Confer...

Menu for Queen Elizabeth, Lydiard House, Nov 1997
Menu for Queen Elizabeth, Lydiard House, Nov 1997

The lunch menu created by the chefs at Lydiard Par...

Photographs (14 ) of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lydiard Park, 1997
Photographs (14 ) of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lydiard Park, 1997

Arriving at Lydiard Park on a wintry November day...

Royal Visit Programme
Royal Visit Programme

The official gold and red programme sets lists the...

Queen Elizabeth II's signature
Queen Elizabeth II's signature

On her visit to Lydiard Park in November 1997, the...

Photographs (4) Queens Platinum Jubilee Beacon, Lydiard Park, 2022
Photographs (4) Queens Platinum Jubilee Beacon, Lydiard Park, 2022

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of...