Lydiard Park’s Walled Garden is flourishing with a historic tulip display, the glorious outcome of a £2,500 donation from the Friends of Lydiard Park, some hard work from Friends and local volunteers, and a very canny battle waged by the tireless gardening team.
Last autumn, our Head Gardener, Andy Dyer, carefully designed a vibrant display featuring 9,000 bulbs—including Tulips, Hyacinths, and Narcissi. It was a true community effort, with our dedicated Garden Team, fantastic volunteers, and the Swindon Borough Council Grounds Team all pitching in on the clearing and planting.
If you’ve visited recently (remember, your Friends’ membership gives you free access to the garden), you’ll know the result is simply dazzling. But behind the beauty lies a tale of determination… and some crafty local wildlife.
Soon after planting, we discovered that the local squirrels were treating the tulip beds like an all-you-can-eat buffet! But Andy and his troops weren’t about to let all that hard work go to waste. Quick-thinking and resourceful, they put protective measures in place—using wire bins, sprigs of holly, coffee grounds from the Park’s food outlets, and even a sprinkle of chilli powder to outwit the bushy-tailed bandits.
Thanks to this ingenuity (and a bit of trial and error), the tulips triumphed. The display is not only a feast for the eyes but a tribute to teamwork, creativity, and persistence.
Julie Holland, who along with Friends’ Trustees Billy Beaumont and Frances Bevan were there at the official opening of the display, said: “A heartfelt thank you to Andy and his remarkable team for their vision, dedication, and hard work. The tulips are a stunning tribute—unique and rich with historical meaning—that beautifully honour the legacy of the Walled Garden and its special place in Lydiard Park’s heritage. You’ve brought history to life with colour and care.”
Lydiard Park – 1, crafty squirrels – 0
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