Plans for “fetes and music events” at listed mansion in Swindon
The Grade-II listed 17th Century manor house has been restored
Last updated 13th Feb 2026
The grounds of one of the most splendid houses in Swindon could be used for fetes and festivals if planners at the council approve.
Arthur Dallimer, the property developer who has recently started work to transform Apsley House, in Old Town, has for some years been working on Burderop House – which is set in the countryside south of Swindon near Wroughton.
As well as Mr Dallimer’s personal apartments, the Grade-II* listed 17th Century manor house has been restored in order to be used as an art gallery, or a venue for music and literary events.
Now Mr Dallimer has applied to Swindon Borough Council for planning permission to use the grounds for: “Various temporary events including a music event, village fete, and other gatherings.”
The application shows that the immediate gardens surrounding the house are not part of the application site, but the wooded parkland slightly further to the east of it would be.
It says: “It is the applicant’s intention to hold events, usually over a two-to-three-day period at any one time of this calendar year and would not exceed 28 days.
“The events will be live music, food and drink sales, and other activities typically found at such events. There will be associated movable structures including marquees, food vans, and temporary stage areas”
It adds: “There is no intent to run either a market or any motor car and motorcycle activities.”
Unlike most music festivals, there will be no camping or caravan camping associated with any events planned at the site.
Mr Dallimer opened the doors to the house for a launch event to show off his restoration work converting the building back from offices, and filled the downstairs with contemporary art to show its suitability as a gallery and events space.
At the time, he told the Local Democracy Reporter: “With a building like this, you have to make it work as well, so that’s what we’re going to do.
“I’m thrilled to have got it to this state. The downstairs space, for the first couple of years, it will be for events: art exhibitions, like now, or music events or literature festivals.”
The Swindon-born property developer also has great plans for one of the town’s most important historic buildings, the Grade II-listed Apsley House on the corner of Bath Road and Victoria Road.
It has been unused since the 2020 lockdown, when it was still the home of Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, since relocated to Euclid Street.
Mr Dallimer is working to turn the large site into an artisan bakery, co-working spaces for local businesses and a high-quality restaurant or bar.
Upgrades will also be carried out to several retail units on Victoria Road, which form part of the wider Apsley House site.