From whodunnits and open-air Shakespeare to hot air balloons and four-legged festivals, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year at .
The country park has already kicked off its calendar with its annual Wedding Showcase, but the months ahead promise a steady stream of events designed to draw in families, theatre lovers, food fans and dog owners alike.
Spring highlights
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 15 March, and will mark the occasion with an afternoon tea accompanied by live harp music from Ruth Kenyon. Guests can expect sandwiches, scones, sweet treats and a glass of prosecco, priced at £35 per person.
Later in the month, amateur sleuths can try their hand at solving Murder Beyond the Manor on Saturday 28 March. The themed evening promises a step back into the 1920s, complete with intrigue and a three-course dinner.
Families will be able to take part in the Easter Trail on Sunday 5 April, with a new Easter Bonnet Parade adding an extra splash of colour in the Walled Garden.
Animal lovers can look forward to the return of Mayhem of Mad4Animals on 25 and 26 April, bringing everything from snakes to spiders alongside educational displays and entertainment.
Big events return
On Saturday 2 May, the park once again hosts the in aid of . Participants can walk, jog or run 3k, 5k, 10k or tackle the Pretty Muddy course. Last year’s event attracted around 2,500 people and raised more than £225,000.
A new addition to the calendar comes the following weekend with The Big Bark, described as Swindon’s dog-lover festival. Taking place on 9 and 10 May, the event will feature canine activities, demonstrations, a dog-friendly café and advice from experts.
Music fans can channel their inner Dancing Queen at the ABBA Tribute Night on Friday 22 May, when ABBAholics bring the Swedish group’s greatest hits to the hotel.
Summer spectacles
Paulos Circus rolls into the park from 19 to 28 June, promising acrobatics, spectacle and family-friendly entertainment.
The ever-popular returns on 3 and 4 July, with balloon flights, living history displays, parachute performances and the traditional night glow lighting up the evening sky.
Open-air theatre will once again take place in the Walled Garden, with Immersion Theatre Company staging Romeo & Juliet on 25 July and The Jungle Book on 2 August.
Food lovers can round off the early summer programme at the on 1 and 2 August, featuring artisan producers, cookery demonstrations and live music.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said the breadth of events reflected the park’s role as one of the town’s most versatile venues.
“Lydiard Park is a beautiful setting and it’s fantastic to see such a varied programme taking place here,” she said. “There really is something for everyone, and there’s more still to be announced.”
Further details on individual events and day-to-day facilities can be found via the park’s official website.
