The Lydiard Archives
Browse by Theme
From historical remedies to wedding celebrations and wartime experiences, find a theme to explore.
From historical remedies to wedding celebrations and wartime experiences, find a theme to explore.
The Lydiard Archives provide a fascinating glimpse into the wedding days of couples who tied the knot at Lydiard Tregoze over three centuries. From marking the occasion with dignified rows of family members in the Victorian era to happy couples and gaggles of bridesmaids in postwar Britain, this special collection is constantly expanding.
This collection celebrates the theme of love with a group of exquisite St.John family miniatures drawn from Lydiard House and private collections.
In 2025, we mark the 70th anniversary of Lydiard House opening its doors to the public—a milestone that celebrates not only a beloved heritage site but also a remarkable story of preservation and community spirit.
Around Valentine’s Day, we see advertisements for jewellery, with suggestions to buy the person you love a special piece of jewellery or even a diamond ring. This seemed a good time to take a look at the jewellery worn by some of the St.John ladies.
A fascinating collection of St.John family memorabilia, generously donated to The Friends of Lydiard Park by Anne Barr in 2023, a former friend of Vernon Henry St.John, 6th Viscount Bolingbroke.
The Friends of Lydiard Park are indebted to Nicholas St.John, great-grandson of Henry 5th Viscount Bolingbroke, for sharing his unique collection of family memorabilia, much of which originally belonged to the viscount's eldest sons Henry Mildmay St.John (d1957) and Charles Reginald St. John (d1971) by Mary Howard, later Viscountess Bolingbroke.
Wills can be both fascinating and frustrating, for what they say, what or who they miss out and what they may be hinting at! A collection of wills for a single community like Lydiard Tregoze provides information which is useful to local, family and social historians.
On March 15th 1917, Vernon Henry St.John (1896-1974), turned 21 years, becoming the 7th Viscount St.John and 6th Viscount Bolingbroke. This collection, drawn together to mark the anniversary of his death 50 years ago, recalls that memorable Spring day when representatives of the tenantry presented the young viscount with a magnificent silver rose bowl on the steps of Lydiard House.
Eighty-four men left Lydiard Tregoze to fight in the Great War, and fourteen never returned. From farmers and labourers to the brothers in Lydiard House, explore the impact of World War I on this small community.
Looking at Lydiard Park's beautiful grounds and playing fields today it is hard to imagine they were once occupied by a German military hospital camp.
Throughout the centuries, Lydiard House and Park has celebrated the Yuletide season in its own unique way, and left a charming and poignant collection of memories to remind us of Christmases past.
Discover Lady Johanna's 17th century Recipe Book containing her medicinal curatives. Explore 19th century dinner recipes from The Lydiard House Cookbook, and enjoy wandering through the history of Lydiard's gardens.