Family days out at Emmetts Garden

Current and upcoming events

Summer of Play Sponsored by Starling Bank

Saturday 19 July–Sunday 7 September, 11am–4pm

Invent a game for the play meadow with inspiration from our toy cupboard, which is stocked with sports cones, hula hoops, lawn games and more. Try out musical activities, specially installed for this year’s Summer of Play. Or explore the Wild Play Area to find balance beams, climbing frame, play net, tunnels and a fairy ring of large wooden toadstools. Normal admission applies.

Summer of Play at Emmetts Garden

Summertime Outdoor Theatre

Emmetts Garden plays host to Outdoor Theatre productions for audiences young and old throughout the summer. Bring picnics, blankets and chairs and perhaps a poncho in case of wet weather, but please leave dogs at home. Please see our events page for the full listings.

Outdoor Theatre: Pride & Prejudice by This Is My Theatre

Sunday 27 July, doors 5.30pm, performance 6.30pm–8.00pm. Prices vary; pre-booking required.

This Is My Theatre brings Jane Austen’s classic tale to life in a stunning one-act adaptation to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the author's birth.

What’s the story about?

At least one of the Bennet sisters must marry well for the family to avoid destitution, so the task of finding suitable matches begins. But, as is always the case, matrimony is easier for some than for others. For Elizabeth Bennet in particular, not all judgements quickly made are correct, in particular when the dashing Mr Darcy is involved.

Purchase tickets from This is My Theatre ticket booking link for Emmetts Garden.

Outdoor Theatre: The Tempest by Immersion Theatre

Thursday 31 July 2025, doors 6pm, performance 6:30pm–8.20pm including interval. Prices vary; pre-booking required

Shakespeare’s unforgettable tale of magic, romance, comedy, and revenge! With heaps of audience participation, this mesmerising show will be brought to life in unforgettable style, perfect for both, seasoned theatre-goers and newcomers to Shakespeare’s work.

Purchase tickets from the Immersion Theatre booking link for Emmetts Garden.

Outdoor Theatre: The Wind in the Willows by Immersion Theatre

Thursday 21 August, doors 2.30pm, performance 3–4.40pm including interval. Prices vary; pre-booking required.

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the wild Toad to save Toad Hall from the weasels!

Purchase tickets from the Immersion Theatre link for Emmetts Garden.

Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado about Nothing by The HandleBards

Saturday 13 Sep 2025, doors 4pm, performance 5–7pm. Prices vary; pre-booking required.

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.

What’s the play about? A group of soldiers return from the war to a household in Messina, kindling new love interests and re-kindling old rivalries. The parallel love stories of Beatrice, Benedick, Claudio and Hero quickly become entangled with scheming, frivolity and melodrama in Shakespeare’s famous comedy.

Purchase tickets from the HandleBards ticketing link for Emmetts Garden.

Outdoor Cinema: Sing-Along ‘Wicked’

Saturday 6 September 6.30–10.20pm, (film starts 8pm)

Sing along to blockbuster musical, ‘Wicked’. Presented by Cinestock, your ticket allows you to explore the gardens before the film, as well as enjoy refreshments from the food and drink stands and listen to a live music artist as the sun sets before you settle in to watch the film under the stars. Film is BBFC certificate PG.

Pre-booking is essential; see the Cinestock website for ticket package options which include or exclude chairs and blankets. Please leave dogs at home for the performance.

Purchase tickets from the Cinestock ticketing link for Emmetts Garden.

Family facilities

There are baby-changing facilities at the entrance to the site, next to the Visitor Centre, as well as at the Old Stables Tearoom. Please note that bikes and scooters are not suitable for the pathways at Emmetts Garden.