Events

Christmas will be coming early to Lydiard House thanks to a special festive treat on offer to visitors.

The Swindon Borough Council-owned stately home is offering a festive afternoon tea menu throughout November and December. For just £19.95 per person, visitors can enjoy a variety of hand-cut sandwiches, a warm mince pie, plus a selection of festive cakes, served with tea or mulled wine.

All guests will also be invited on a guided tour of Lydiard House, giving people the opportunity to experience the beautifully decorated halls for the festive season.

Lydiard House was home to the St John family for 500 years, and visitors will hear their fascinating history. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes, after which guests will be served three tiers of stunning festive treats.

The historic State Rooms of Lydiard House will be beautifully adorned with traditional foliage, a kissing ball, and a decorated Christmas tree. Floral decorations will also line mantle-pieces and doorways, adding splendour and festivity to the house.

The House has been decorated once again by Royal Wootton Bassett Flower Arranging Club.

Reservations for festive afternoon tea are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 27 November and 19 December.

To make a reservation, please call 01793 465270. Full payment over the phone is required to secure your booking and a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required.

Car parking is available at Hay Lane and Hook Street entrances. Parking charges apply.

Why not leave the crowds behind and join Archaeologist Dr Nick Snashall for a winter ramble around the stone circles? Festive refreshments and free parking included. £16, booking essential

Swindon Museum and Art Gallery are hosting a number of drop-in craft sessions for little ones every Saturday throughout December.

Make Christmas decorations for the tree, reindeer head-dresses and even New Year’s festive firework rings.

All sessions are £3 per child.

On Saturday, 14 December at 11am, Central Library host a book launch for “A Swindon Wordsmith: The Life and Works of George Ewart Hobbs” by local historians Noel Ponting and Graham Carter (Swindon Heritage magazine).

This forgotten writer provides a brilliant insight into everyday life in Swindon a century ago. All are welcome – please join us!

Wyvern Theatre’s Memory Café is a relaxed facility where those living with Dementia, along with their carers, friends and families, can meet to talk and join in with various activities and hear from guest speakers, as well as the opportunity to speak to support workers, medical practitioners and advisors.

Then, of course, there’s hot drinks and cake provided!

Target group is females, especially non-netballers. £3 per session.

For more details contact Mo Squires Swindon Netball Development Officer on 01793 312795 or 01793 423134

This month, we bring the Writers’ Cafe forward by a couple of weeks and enjoy a change of date and venue for some seasonal writers’ frolics.

We’ll be meeting on Tuesday, 17 December at Lower Shaw Farm.

Christmas will be coming early to Lydiard House thanks to a special festive treat on offer to visitors.

The Swindon Borough Council-owned stately home is offering a festive afternoon tea menu throughout November and December. For just £19.95 per person, visitors can enjoy a variety of hand-cut sandwiches, a warm mince pie, plus a selection of festive cakes, served with tea or mulled wine.

All guests will also be invited on a guided tour of Lydiard House, giving people the opportunity to experience the beautifully decorated halls for the festive season.

Lydiard House was home to the St John family for 500 years, and visitors will hear their fascinating history. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes, after which guests will be served three tiers of stunning festive treats.

The historic State Rooms of Lydiard House will be beautifully adorned with traditional foliage, a kissing ball, and a decorated Christmas tree. Floral decorations will also line mantle-pieces and doorways, adding splendour and festivity to the house.

The House has been decorated once again by Royal Wootton Bassett Flower Arranging Club.

Reservations for festive afternoon tea are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 27 November and 19 December.

To make a reservation, please call 01793 465270. Full payment over the phone is required to secure your booking and a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required.

Car parking is available at Hay Lane and Hook Street entrances. Parking charges apply.

£2.00 per family, all welcome.

Tea/coffee and drinks and snacks for the children. Please just use the buzzer at the big green school gates to be let in. But you can come along after Chiseldon Primary School drop off time.

Swindon Museum and Art Gallery are hosting a number of drop-in craft sessions for little ones every Saturday throughout December.

Make Christmas decorations for the tree, reindeer head-dresses and even New Year’s festive firework rings.

All sessions are £3 per child.

Carols for Christmas Lights:

Ding Dong Merrily on High
The Holly and the Ivy
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Silent Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Come all ye Faithful
Good King Wenceslas
Away in a Manger
The First Nowell
While Shepherds Watched
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
We Three Kings
Once in Royal David’s City
See Amid the Winter Snow