A new family event will be taking place in Swindon for the first time. 

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has confirmed that it will be bringing its family-friendly event Country Comes to Town to Lydiard Park in May. 

The event is said to be a hive of activity as Wiltshire Wildlife Trust hosts its annual family-friendly event all about nature and living sustainably.

Visitors can enjoy a host of interactive wildlife experiences and activities.

The event will showcase the vital work that Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is doing to achieve landscape-scale nature recovery by restoring diverse habitats in Swindon and across Wiltshire, from chalk downlands to woodlands.

Families can also earn how the Trust and its partners are protecting threatened animal and plant species that call Wiltshire home. Experts will also be on hand to give inspiration and offer advice on wildlife-friendly gardening and sustainable living.

Activities for the day will include the popular birds of prey display ‘Walk with Hawks’; the opportunity to meet some of the Trust’s sheep that help improve their reserves for nature through grazing (sponsored by Ewe Move); craft activities such as making flower crowns; animal face painting; a children’s swap shop; Morris dance performances and more.

There will even be a smoothie bike, so visitors can make their own smoothies, whilst keeping fit and using pedal power as sustainable energy!

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will be joined by experts from organisations the Trust works closely with, such as Butterfly Conservation and Wiltshire Ornithological Society. There will also be a chance to have a taste of country life, with Lydiard Turkeys bringing their one-stop farm shop for local, sustainable food and their tractor.

Kristine Bowen, marketing and communications manager for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said: "Country Comes to Town is an enjoyable, free day out for all the family, and we are thrilled to bring this event to Swindon for the very first time.

"Please do come along for what promises to be an educational and fun experience, whether you are coming from Swindon or further afield. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages and showing how we can make wild connections through some fun nature-based activities."

The event is taking place on Saturday, May 18, 10am-4pm and is free to enter. 

There is a pay-and-display car park at Lydiard Park, which includes disabled parking. This is located near the café in the middle of the park near the Hook Street entrance.

The nearest bus stop to the Hay Lane entrance is Wilmot Close (bus route 1).