It's not often that Swindon gets the attention of international media institutions, but Lydiard Park was recently reported on by an American publication.  

In August The Friends of Lydiard Park group revealed that the recent heatwave in England had exposed the lost 250-year-old 17th-century gardens that used to be there. 

This was because the grass that covered the ancient gardens grew in shallower soil than the grass in surrounding areas. With shorter roots, the grass covering these features burns easier and dies off quicker than the rest of the lawn, revealing the design underneath.

American news site The Miami Herald wrote about this phenomenon, mentioning Lydiard Park, as well as Longleat House and Chatsworth House.

In the article, reporter Aspen Pflughoeft writes of the Swindon beauty spot: "Another piece of “garden archaeology” appeared from the drying lawn of Lydiard Park, about 40 miles northeast of Longleat House.

"Lydiard Park is a historic estate that now houses a hotel and events centre, according to its website. Aerial photographs show distinct, highly visible lines running across the brown lawn.

"The parallel lines form T’s, some running through — or below — a green circle that looks like part of the current landscape design. These dusty-brown lines once formed a gridded ornamental garden around 1700."

The full article can be read here: https://bit.ly/3Dgl4wy