Skip to content
swindo
Things to do

Big Bark dog festival announced for Lydiard Park, Swindon

Looking back, 22 April 2026: Swindon Borough Council announced that The Big Bark, a two-day dog festival with shows, agility and stalls, would come to Lydiard Park on 9 and 10 May 2026.

By , Editor ·

Looking backThis story covers news from . Swindo wrote it later from the published source, and published it on 12 November 2026. More from that day

Last updated: 12 November 2026

Share
The Lydiard House, the former residence of the Viscounts Bolingbroke, in the Lydiard Park, Swindon, Wiltshire, UK.
Photo: Delta 51 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source (illustrative photo of the place, not of the event)

Thousands of people were expected at Lydiard Park in Swindon for The Big Bark, a dog festival announced by Swindon Borough Council on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

The festival was set for Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May 2026 and was described as a full day out on each day.

What was on the programme?

  • Dog shows with prizes
  • Have-a-go agility courses
  • Interactive games and challenges
  • Live training demonstrations from experienced handlers
  • Stalls with treats, toys and expert advice on behaviour, care and wellbeing
  • Street food and retail stalls

The council said the event was expected to draw visitors from Swindon, Royal Wootton Bassett, Purton and the surrounding area, as well as from further away.

What did the organisers say?

Jo MacAskie, event organiser for The Big Bark, said: "Anyone living within about 45 minutes of Lydiard Park is genuinely very lucky to have an event like this on their doorstep."

She added: "We would definitely recommend booking ahead, nobody wants to be explaining to their dog why they're not going."

Ian Surtees, business development manager at the council, which owns and runs Lydiard Park, said: "We're really lucky to have such a versatile venue as Lydiard Park and this year our calendar is making great use of it."

Tickets were sold through the Lydiard Park website. The announcement did not give prices or opening times.

Source: Swindon Borough Council.

More from Swindo: Lydiard Park: Swindon park guide.

Share

Latest Swindon news

All news
  1. Launderette approved at 105 Broad Street, Swindon

    Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

  4. Four houses approved at 27 Church Walk South, Rodbourne Cheney

    Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

  5. Plans to convert 27 Curtis Street, Swindon, from commercial use to a home

    Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

Spot something wrong? Suggest a correction

Related

Guide · Community

Scouts and Guides in Swindon

Scouting in Swindon is organised in two districts of Wiltshire Scouts: Swindon North, with 14 groups and more than 1,000 young people, and Swindon Ridgeway, which covers Old Town, the east and south of the town and nearby villages. Girlguiding Wiltshire North has three Swindon divisions. Both take young people from age four.

Guide · Parks and nature

Lydiard Park: Swindon park guide

Lydiard Park is a 260-acre country park at Lydiard Tregoze on the west side of Swindon, with Lydiard House Museum, a walled garden, cafes and a play area. The park is free to enter and open daily from 7.30am to dusk.

News · Parks and nature

Lydiard Park heritage apples turned into new chutney, preserve and marmalade

Apples from Lydiard Park's Georgian walled garden have been made into three preserves with Dauntsey Preserves, on sale from next week.

News · Business and economy

Bageltastic applies for licence for Royal Wootton Bassett High Street café

Home-based bagel maker Bageltastic has applied to Wiltshire Council for a premises licence at 49 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, for a café. Public consultation ends on 30 November.

Read Swindo on your phone: add it to your home screen

Places Mentioned

Lydiard Park

Park

Lydiard Park is a 260-acre country park at Lydiard Tregoze on the west side of Swindon, with Lydiard House Museum, a walled garden, cafes and a play area. The park is free to enter and open daily from 7.30am to dusk.

SN5 3PA