Lydiard Park Restoration Project 2004-7

At the beginning of the twenty-first century the Lydiard Park was in need of substantial works to conserve its heritage value. The eighteenth-century-designed landscape had degraded to such an extent that even the existence of the ruinous dam wall was hardly recognized.

By 2002 Lydiard had become a national pilot project for the Countryside Agency’s Renaissance of County Parks in Britain.  Aerial photographs combined with an emergency assessment of the walled garden proved the garden layout still existed and its restoration became an important feature of the restoration proposal.

Local business and national agencies championed the project and helped the council secure major grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, adding to their own substantial contributions. Following a year of archaeological investigations and preparatory work, coupled with a wide programme of community involvement, the restoration works began in earnest in 2005.

The project reinstated the two acre ‘lost lake’ which had been largely dry for 100 years when the dam wall collapsed. Alongside it the ruinous wall was restored to its former grandeur and a plunge pool discovered. Miles of paths were laid along their original routes and thousands of trees planted including lost avenues in the wider parkland. Landscape structures such as the Ice House and old stable buildings were restored and the eighteenth-century ornamental fruit and flower garden was reinstated with old varieties of plants.

In 2007 HRH Princess Anne officially launched celebrations to mark completion of the project.

Search the collection for detailed information about this exciting £5.3million project, including photographs, newsletters and press cuttings.

Read more +
Lydiard Park Restoration Project 2004-7

Featured Items

Lydiard Park Project newsletter, Spring 2003
Lydiard Park Project newsletter, Spring 2003

The first in a series of newsletters about The Lyd...

Lydiard Park Project newsletter,  Summer 2003
Lydiard Park Project newsletter, Summer 2003

The second in a series of newsletters (2003-7) abo...

Lydiard Park Project newsletter,  Spring 2004
Lydiard Park Project newsletter, Spring 2004

The third in a series of newsletters (2003-7) abou...

The Lydiard Park Project newsletter,  Winter-Spring 2004/5
The Lydiard Park Project newsletter, Winter-Spring 2004/5

The fifth in a series of newsletters (2003-7) abou...

The Lydiard Park Project newsletter: Spring-Summer 2005
The Lydiard Park Project newsletter: Spring-Summer 2005

The sixth in a series of newsletters (2003-7) abou...

The Lydiard Park Project newsletter: Spring/Summer 2006
The Lydiard Park Project newsletter: Spring/Summer 2006

The seventh (incorrectly called no 8) in a series...

The Lydiard Park Project newsletter,  Summer 2004
The Lydiard Park Project newsletter, Summer 2004

The fourth in a series of newsletters (2003-7) abo...

The Lydiard Park Project newsletter; Autumn/Winter 2006/7
The Lydiard Park Project newsletter; Autumn/Winter 2006/7

The eighth (incorrectly marked no 9) in a series o...

The Lydiard Park Project newsletter: Spring/Summer 2007
The Lydiard Park Project newsletter: Spring/Summer 2007

The ninth and final Lydiard Park Project newslette...