Lydiard Park and House

Lydiard Park sits on the western outskirts of Swindon, a 260-acre estate that was once the seat of the St John family and passed into the care of Swindon Borough Council in 1943. The parkland itself is free to enter every day from early morning until dusk, and it is the kind of open, uncrowded space that is increasingly hard to find close to a large town. Wide grass fields, a lake, mature woodland and a network of well-maintained paths give families room to walk, run and let the day take its course.

At the heart of the park stands the Palladian house, a striking Georgian mansion with rooms that have been returned to their 18th-century appearance. Entry is charged separately and involves a modest admission fee, with family trails designed to draw younger visitors through the rooms and engage them with the portraits and furnishings. The Victorian walled garden beside the house is included in the admission and has been restored as a productive growing space with herbaceous borders and an ornamental centrepiece.

There is a children's play area in the grounds, a cafe with outdoor seating and regular seasonal events including outdoor theatre, food festivals and guided walks. The combination of free open space and optional paid attractions makes it easy to calibrate the day and the budget to what you want. It works for a quick weekday afternoon as easily as a planned Saturday outing.

Good for: outdoors, history. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.