People will be taken back to Victorian times when they visit Lydiard House over the next few weeks.
The State Rooms of the Swindon Borough Council-owned historic house will be decorated in the theme of a traditional Victorian family Christmas with festive greenery, elegant floral decorations and real Christmas trees with hand-made baubles and stockings.
The display will run from this Saturday (3 Dec) to Friday, 23 December and will be typical of the style of elegant displays that the Lady of the Manor would have created from fresh evergreen foliage, gathered from the park, to add glamour and warmth to the house.
In Victorian times, decorating Christmas trees became fashionable, so there will be real trees in the Hall, Library and State Bedroom, beautifully decorated with traditional baubles and handcrafted decorations and in the Dining Room, the table will be laid out with a lavish Christmas meal, including roast beef and plum pudding, both popular in the late Victorian period and based on old menus belonging to the Bolingbroke family of Lydiard Park.
On Sunday afternoons, visitors can enjoy some additional festive entertainment with the Chippenham Morris Men performing this Sunday (4 December), the Swindon Co-operative Ladies’ Choir singing Christmas carols on Sunday, 11 December and on Sunday, 18 December, the Purton Pear Tree Pealers will play carols on traditional hand bells.
All three live performances will start at 2.30pm and admission charges to the house apply.
Children can also have a go at making their own traditional hanging decoration this Sunday (4 Dec). Anyone wishing to take part should drop in between 12noon and 3pm to make a beautiful angel decoration. The session costs £3 and children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Cllr Garry Perkins, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture, said: “These beautiful seasonal displays and decorated trees are always a popular draw for visitors of all ages.
“They give a warm, welcoming atmosphere to this historic house and an insight into Victorian traditions, many of which we carry on today.”
The Country House Christmas display at Lydiard House is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm from 3 to 23 December. The cost of admission is £3.50 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and £1.75 for children. Discounts are available for Swindoncard holders and there’s a free hands-on quiz trail for children.
Lydiard House will be closed for the festive period from 24 to 26 December and on 1 January. For more information, please go to the Lydiard Park website www.lydiardpark.org.uk or contact Lydiard Park on 01793 770401.