Summer evenings at Cliveden
Make the most of long summer evenings at Cliveden, whether you’re out for a twilight walk, gliding along the river on a boat or listening to a live music performance whilst you soak up the atmosphere as the sun begins to set.
Summer Evenings at Cliveden will take place on 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 August. All performances are free, but standard admission charges apply with last entry to the estate at 7:00pm and the grounds closing at 7:30pm. The woodland car park will close at its usual time.
Visitors can enjoy performances on the selected dates:
- Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August – The Grand Central Trio, bringing timeless jazz and swing classics to life.
- Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August – The Harmony String Quartet, whose repertoire blends classical favourites with modern and film melodies.
- Friday 28 August - Slough Music Service are going to be working in collaboration with Cliveden NT to produce a day filled with different types of music genres from our local community.
The Sounding Chamber sits at the back of the House beneath the South Terrace and boasts far-reaching views over Cliveden’s iconic Parterre. It is a 20-minute walk from the main car park, accessible on hard paths meandering past some of Cliveden’s most beautiful gardens. Stop by the rose garden on your way and enjoy the sweet scent and riot of colour provided by over 900 roses.
Food & Beverage
Visitors can enjoy food and drink from the following outlets, open until 7:00pm:
- Conservatory – serving drinks and chilled grab-and-go items from the display fridges (counter service only, no seating available).
- Parlour
- Kiosk
Boating at Cliveden
Make the most of your visit with extended boating opportunities throughout the evening:
- Additional 45-minute Duchess cruises departing at 5pm and 6pm.
- Self-drive boats available with returns until 6:30pm (last one-hour hire at 5:30pm).
- Unpowered boats available with returns until 7:00pm.
These extended operating times will allow visitors to enjoy more time on the water while ensuring everyone can comfortably return to the main car park before 7:30pm. Head to boatingatcliveden.co.uk to book your summer evening boat trip.
About The Grand Central Trio
With an ever-expanding repertoire of jazz classics, The Grand Central Trio provides the perfect sound to create a vintage vibe at any event. Listen out for some modern pop songs with the Grand Central Trio experience.
About Harmony String Quartet
Formed in Manchester at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music, Harmony String Quartet bring their unique blend of modern film, jazz and classical music to Cliveden.
History of the Parterre
When the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland purchased Cliveden in 1849 they worked with Head Gardener John Fleming to transform what was then a simple, large lawn into the innovative design you see today. Fleming was a pioneer of ribbon and carpet bedding and under his guidance Cliveden’s garden displays became horticulturally famous and set a precedent for gardens the world over.
History of the Sounding Chamber
Cliveden has been a place for performance and entertaining ever since the first house was built for George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham in the 1600s. The historic Sounding Chamber is one of the oldest spaces on the estate and as part of the South Terrace, the last remining element of Buckingham's original house. Its construction, featuring an elliptical domed ceiling, allows for remarkable acoustics which supports the theory the rooms were built for musical performance.
Planning your visit
- Summer Evenings at Cliveden will take place on 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 August.
- There will be live performances on 14, 15, 21, 22 and 28 August which will take place on the Parterre outside the Sounding Chamber.
- No booking necessary, free event but normal property admission price applies (free for National Trust members).
- Gardens and grounds are open from 9:30am – 7:30pm (last entry is 7:00pm).
- The woodland car park will close at its usual time of 5:00pm.
- The Sounding Chamber is approximately a 20-minute walk from the main car park and is accessible on hard paths and gravel surfaces. Step-free access routes are available, please ask for an accessibly map from the Information Centre.
- Cliveden's visitor shuttle bus is available upon request at the Information Centre.
- Please bring your own picnic chairs and blankets, as these will not be provided on the day. Cliveden is an outdoor property, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
- Exact performance times are coming soon.
- All performances are informal, so while we have set start times you are welcome to come and go as you please throughout the event.
- The closest toilets and baby changing facilities are accessible from the Conservatory Café.
- The Conservatory Café will be open for drinks and a selection of refreshments from the display fridges, operating as a counter‑service venue. Visitors can also enjoy ice creams from the Old Firestation Parlour, while the Kiosk beside the Water Garden will be serving throughout the day. All three outlets will close at 7:00pm.
- Please book your boat trip in advance at boatingatcliveden.org.uk