Forget your gardening gloves and grab your dancing shoes! Jazz in the garden is one of the highlights of Arundells’ event calendar every year, and this summer, we're hosting not one, but TWO concerts!

On Friday 12th July, The Schmoozenbergs, will conjure up the mood of 1930s Paris, fused with flavours of Eastern Europe and a liberal sprinkling of high energy folk, The Schmoozenbergs bring you electrifying gypsy jazz music, with bouncing rhythms, tantalizing melodies and playful improvisations to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Influenced by a cocktail of musical traditions, from Gypsy jazz to Klezmer, Celtic, Balkan and beyond, they bring their own unique character and expressive energy to an array of original compositions, alongside imaginative interpretations of a selection of classic jazz tunes. Their highly entertaining and engaging live show is full of beautiful musical interplay, irresistible melodies, and intriguing improvisations, all played with a light hearted and playful spirit.

Featuring the soaring fiddle playing of Gina Griffin, the masterful double bass of Ron Phelan, and the bouncing rhythm and hot lead guitars of Sam Stennett and Tom Brydon-Smith, The Schmoozenbergs formed in Bristol in 2012, and have delighted audiences at venues and festivals across the UK for the past decade.

2024 sees the release of their second album of original music. This new album, entitled ‘Mouse’, follows on from their 2019 album release ‘Awaken’.

Quotes
“Upbeat good time music” (Songlines Magazine)
“Played throughout with much gusto…projects an infectious joie de vivre that will, no doubt, healthily up any heartbeat” (Morning Star)
“They have us racing around, peeking into other worlds… tapping toes and grinning from ear to ear” (Bristol24/7)
“a voyage of delight, a foot tapping whirl of expressive energy” (Liverpool Sound and Vision)
“Unashamedly good time, beautifully played music” (Fatea Magazine)

Jazz in the Garden is more than just a concert; it's an experience, a chance to shed your shoes and unwind in an enchanting garden venue with spectacular views of Salisbury Cathedral and the tranquil frontage to the confluence of two rivers – the Avon and the Nadder.

So, pack a picnic basket, grab a blanket, and prepare to be swept away by the sweet sounds of summer. We can't wait to share these evenings with you in our own musical Eden!

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for a sneak peek at the musical magic to come!

Tickets: Adults £18 | Under 14s £12
The performance will start at 7:30pm, entrance to the garden from 7pm.
There will be a 15-minute interval and the evening should end at around 9:30pm.

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so dress for the weather as there is no covered area. Picnic blankets and low backed chairs will make your experience far more relaxing. We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you.

Forget your gardening gloves and grab your dancing shoes! Jazz in the garden is one of the highlights of Arundells’ event calendar every year, and this summer, we're hosting not one, but TWO concerts!

On Wednesday 15th May The FB Pocket Orchestra visit Arundells bringing with them a wide selection of charming repertoire. Paul Stevenson (guitar) Ollie Corbin (Accordion and Voice) and Jenny Russell (Clarinet and Voice) comprise this longstanding ensemble based on the South Coast. From prohibition laments to drawing room waltzes, expect both the unexpected and the familiar as The FB Pocket Orchestra delve into their back catalogue.

Get ready for playful syncopation and infectious energy, guaranteed to set your heart dancing and your feet tapping a happy beat.

Jazz in the Garden is more than just a concert; it's an experience, a chance to shed your shoes and unwind in an enchanting garden venue with spectacular views of Salisbury Cathedral and the tranquil frontage to the confluence of two rivers – the Avon and the Nadder.

So, pack a picnic basket, grab a blanket, and prepare to be swept away by the sweet sounds of summer. We can't wait to share these evenings with you in our own musical Eden!

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for a sneak peek at the musical magic to come!

Tickets: Adults £18 | Under 14s £12
The performance will start at 7:00pm, entrance to the garden from 6pm.
There will be a 15-minute interval and the evening should end at around 9:00pm.

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so dress for the weather as there is no covered area. Picnic blankets and low backed chairs will make your experience far more relaxing. We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you.

Additional Information

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

All tickets are non-refundable, but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Written by Jane Austen
Adapted by Ethan Taylor
Directed by Sarah Slator 
Music by Simon Stallard

Anne Elliott is persuaded to reject Frederick Wentworth by her family and friends but when the Elliott's circumstances alter and Wentworth returns 8 years later, as a commended naval officer no less, old sparks are rekindled… But can either be convinced to give love a second chance?

Too many characters and not enough actors will see this much-loved Austen novel brought to life in a comedic and potentially hat-astrophic production. In a similarly choreographed, character-swapping style to our critically acclaimed productions of The Importance of Being Earnest (2018), The Three Musketeers (2020) and A Comedy of Errors (2022), audiences will love this truly unique adaptation!

Critics have said of our previous hat-astrophic adaptations:

Brighton Source on The Comedy of Errors
“A gem of a production… Energetic, ingenious and thoughtful drama!”

Living Magazines on The Three Musketeers
“Artfully designed and cleverly executed… a total joy!”

Held in the stunning Arundells garden in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. Come early and enjoy a wander around the garden or explore in the interval.

When: Thursday 23rd May, access to garden from 6.00pm. Show starts 7.00pm.
Where: The Garden, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Ticket Prices: General admission: £15, Registered carers: Free, Under 4’s: Free

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so please do bring the appropriate attire with you as there is no covered area.

Bring your own folding chairs or picnic blankets, there are no chairs provided.

We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you please.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Following the success of Twelfth Night, Immersion Theatre are thrilled to be reviving their acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s funniest, most magical comedy of all: A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
This hilarious adaptation sees Shakespeare’s fantastical characters brought vividly to life as audiences are transported to an enchanting world bursting with magic, romance, and of course, heaps of laugh-out-loud comedy! Four young lovers, a band of hapless actors, and a magical realm populated by mischievous spirits set on causing mayhem at every turn culminate in an unparalleled open-air experience of beauty and hilarity.
Multi award-nominated Immersion Theatre have developed a reputation for producing first class, fast-paced adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. This is Shakespeare as it’s meant to be: interactive, fun, and highly accessible!

Suitable for ages 8+
Running time: 110 minutes including interval

Held in the stunning Arundells garden in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. Come early and enjoy a wander around the garden or explore in the interval.

When: Thursday 1st August, access to garden from 6.00pm. Show starts 7.00pm.
Where: The Garden, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Ticket Prices: General admission: £15

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so please do bring the appropriate attire with you as there is no covered area.

Bring your own folding chairs or picnic blankets, there are no chairs provided.

We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you please.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Following the success of “The Wizard of Oz,” multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland as they proudly bring their trademark energy to their most magical musical to date, PETER PAN.

Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing Wendy Darling to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook!

Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugh-a-minute script, this hilarious and exciting musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained throughout…You’ll be HOOKED!

Suitable for ages 4+
Running time: Approximately 100 minutes including interval

Held in the stunning Arundells garden in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. Come early and enjoy a wander around the garden or explore in the interval.

When: Sunday 11th August, access to garden from 4.30pm. Show starts 5.30pm.
Where: The Garden, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so please do bring the appropriate attire with you as there is no covered area.

Bring your own folding chairs or picnic blankets, there are no chairs provided.

We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you please.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

The fourth collaboration between Gilbert & Sullivan and their first blockbuster hit was HMS Pinafore, or ‘The Lass That Loved a Sailor.’ The opera opened on 28 May 1878 at the Opera Comique in London and ran for 571 performances. It became a huge hit in England, as well as in America, being copied illegally by dozens of performing companies.

Pinafore is one of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operas, perhaps because of its infectious tunes and generally well-constructed libretto. Drawing on several of his earlier ‘bab ballad’ poems, Gilbert imbued HMS Pinafore with mirth and silliness in abundance. The opera’s gentle satire reprises and builds upon the love between members of different social classes.

The action takes place on the quarterdeck of HMS Pinafore which is anchored in the harbour at Portsmouth. This is a tale of mismatched love across different social classes. Josephine is the captain’s daughter and has fallen for lowly sailor Ralph. Yet her father has other ideas – he has promised her to Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. Will love prevail? Climb aboard to find out and enjoy a feast of fun along the way. Hip hip hooray!

Held in the stunning Arundells garden in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. Come early and enjoy a wander around the garden or explore in the interval.

The comedy works of Gilbert and Sullivan are a good way of introducing the public to opera and the Opera Anywhere company ticks all the boxes for bringing professional productions to small scale venues.
A cast of ten singers, an accompanying pianist and a flautist make the most of the comic possibilities in this musical romance that pokes relentless fun at Britain’s posh people and the ruling classes.
Founders of the touring company, Mike and Vanessa Woodward each have leading roles in the production which maintains a high standard throughout in spite of the staging and scenery being very basic, the emphasis wisely concentrating upon the vocal abilities of the performers. There are excellent performances by the young singers which are led by Andre Refig as a naval captain and Ellie Neate as his daughter who makes the mistake of falling in love with a low-life sailor although of course it all comes out right in the end.
Marion Cox, Dorset Press

Such energy and commitment from every single performer and a great production.
Julie Fisher, audience member, HMS Pinafore, Waterperry Gardens, July 2018

When: Wednesday 28th August, access to garden from 6.00pm. Show starts 7.30pm.
Where: The Garden, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Ticket Prices:  'early bird' tickets available until 31st March, Adults: £20, Under 18s: £8, thereafter £25/£10

Additional Information

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so please do bring the appropriate attire with you as there is no covered area.

Bring your own folding chairs or picnic blankets, there are no chairs provided.

We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you please. The garden will open from 6pm and the performance will start at 7.30pm.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

"Watson, I'm sorry to say but they are dead, murdered, killed! This will be our toughest investigation yet, get my coat and my hat!"

When a body is mysteriously found lying in the middle of Landsdown Manor Gardens, the police have no option but to call on Sherlock Holmes and persuade him to take on his toughest case to date. With his loyal assistant Watson, our nation's top detective duo battles through baddies and villains to discover who is behind the murder in the garden.

Brought to you by award-winning comedy troupe Calf 2 Cow (The Jabberwocky), this brand-new adaption is an outrageous comedy full of slapstick, multi-rolling and of course pumped full of live music and rock n roll.

Celebrating all of Sherlock's wonder, mixed with a fresh take on a brand new tale, this will certainly be a comical night out that will leave you smiling.

Suitable for ages 12 plus - There will be blood…

Produced by the Garden Theatre Festival and Calf 2 Cow, Supported by The Point, Dorchester Arts, Emerge & Arts Council England.

When: Thursday 27th June, access to garden from 6.00pm. Show starts 7.30pm. Show duration: 1 hour 15mins with 20min interval.
Where: The Garden, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Ticket Prices: £18.00 Adult, £12.00 Child, £45.00 Family ticket - 2 adults & 2 children

Additional Information

Please note that this is an outdoor performance come rain or shine, so please do bring the appropriate attire with you as there is no covered area.

Bring your own folding chairs or picnic blankets, there are no chairs provided.

We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you please. The garden will open from 6pm and the performance will start at 7.30pm.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Creatives:

Written by Matthew Emeny
Music by Samuel Freeman
Directed by Ed Viney
Executive Producer - Joshua Beaumont

Calf 2 Cow

Calf 2 Cow Productions, proudly based in Bath, is quickly developing as a new touring slapstick comedy theatre company, creating highly visual theatre full of live rock n roll, bonkersness and mayhem. Our mission is to create and tour hilarious, boundary-pushing theatre using creative and energetic sweaty storytelling for nearly everyone! (ages 4 - 104! - anyone younger or older is not allowed in. SORRY!) Our work has been seen across the UK and a couple of times in Europe, so we are international in a sort of way.

Our latest work includes The Jabberwocky ( 2023 UK TOUR, Funded by Ars Council England), The Wave, UK TOUR 2021 - 2024 May and June in 2022, including visits to The Points Unwrapped Festival, The Salisbury International Festival and Festival on the Sea, Grimbsy. Over 2021 and 2022, C2C toured a new adaptation of The Wind in the Willows across the UK, selling out shows and visiting the most stunning venues. In our early life span, C2C has made over 20,000 people chuckle and smile.

Ceilidh Factor, one of the UK's most exciting dance bands, are bringing their unique brand of folk music and dance to the enchanting garden at Arundells. Formed by a small collective of professional folk musicians, their ceilidhs are always fun, energetic and accessible.

The band plays music from across Britain and Ireland on fiddle, concertina and guitar. From their foot-tapping melodies to their driving rhythm section, Ceilidh Factor’s music is guaranteed to get you up and dancing.

Ceilidh dances are a social event for everybody to join in whatever your age or experience - no matter if you have never danced before! Our friendly caller will guide you through all the way. First she will talk through the moves and give you the opportunity to walk it through.

Tickets: Adults £18 | Under 14s £12
The dancing will start at 6:30pm, entrance to the garden from 5.30pm.
There will be two 45min sets of dancing, with a break in between.

The Ceilidh will be held under cover, but please bring clothing appropriate for the weather.

We encourage picnics but we do ask that you please take your rubbish home with you.

Additional Information

As much as we love dogs and welcome them in the garden on our open days, only special assistance dogs are invited to our events.

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

All tickets are non-refundable, but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Leon McCarron is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and trail designer from Northern Ireland. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a fellow of the Abraham Path Initiative, the Philadelphia Geographical Society’s Explorer of the Year for 2022, and is known for long-distance expeditions and immersive multimedia storytelling. He has walked across China, crossed the Empty Quarter desert on foot, kayaked along Iran’s longest river, and ridden on horseback across Argentine Patagonia. His most recent journey took him along the full length of the river Tigris. In the past decade he has travelled over 30,000 miles by human power, and is currently based between Iraq and Ireland.

Leon is the author of three books. His most recent, ‘Wounded Tigris: A River Journey Through the Cradle of Civilisation’ (Corsair, 2023) was a Sunday Times Book of the Week, New Statesman Book of the Year, and is shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year Award. He has bylines in Smithsonian, National Geographic, New Scientist, Noema and Geo. Previous books have been shortlisted for the Banff Mountain Book Festival award, and his journalism has won the gold medal in environmental reporting from the American Society of Travel Writers. His TV shows have aired on National Geographic, Discovery Channel and the BBC, and he has lectured all over the world to schools, businesses and societies. Leon has 10+ years of experience in trail design and development, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Central Asia and China. He is the co-founder of the Zagros Mountain Trail in Iraq.

This talk is part of Arundells' Travels Season, alongside a new exhibition we'll be featuring events related to the theme of travel and exploration. ‘Travels: People and Places’, will explore how Edward Heath’s passion for travel shaped the eclectic collection at Arundells. Displays in the house and The Studio will shed new light on collection highlights and objects not usually on show.

When: Wednesday 8th May. Doors open from 7pm, talk begins at 7.30pm.
Where: The Studio, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Tickets: £15

Additional Details

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Events in the Studio are kindly sponsored by Wilsons Solicitors.

with John Peet, Europe Editor, The Economist

Drawing on his extensive experience as a journalist, editor, and former civil servant, Peet will offer insights into the key challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both the UK and the EU. He’ll go on to discuss possible scenarios for the future of the relationship, considering factors such as trade, security, and political cooperation. Peet will also highlight the potential impact of global events and internal political developments on this evolving relationship.

This talk is a must-attend for anyone seeking to understand the complexities and potential trajectories of UK-EU relations in the years to come.

John Peet has been an editor and writer at The Economist since 1986, in roles including executive editor, business affairs editor, Brexit editor and a correspondent in Brussels and Washington. Earlier, he was a civil servant at the Treasury and Foreign Office. He is the coauthor of “Unhappy Union: How the Euro Crisis—and Europe—Can Be Fixed” (Profile Books, 2014). In 2012 he won the Gerald Loeb Award for commentary.

When: Wednesday 29th May. Doors open from 7pm, talk begins at 7.30pm.
Where: The Studio, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Tickets: £20

Additional Details

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Events in the Studio are kindly sponsored by Wilsons Solicitors.

The Sir Edward Heath Annual Lecture 2024 - Gyles Brandreth and guests celebrate 'Queen Elizabeth II: Life, Legacy and Service to Britain'.

When: Thursday 30th May 2024, starting at 2.15 pm (doors from 1.45pm)
Where: Salisbury Cathedral
Ticket Options:
£25 – Lecture in Salisbury Cathedral
£32 – Lecture in Salisbury Cathedral plus drinks reception at Arundells

Baroness Valerie Amos has been the Master of University College Oxford since September 2020. Prior to this she was the Director of SOAS, University of London.  She was a Cabinet Minister, 2003-2007, including serving as Secretary of State for International Development and Leader of the House of Lords. She has also served as UK High Commissioner to Australia.

From 2010 -2015 she was the United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Her interests include foreign policy and development matters, social justice, equality and inclusion as well as education. She is on the board of the Mastercard Foundation, UN Foundation and Institute for Government. She is also a member of the advisory board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and Patron of the Amos Bursary.

This event will take an open-ended ‘in conversation’ format. Topics on the table for discussion include: humanitarian aid in an era of international crisis, the changing face of modern Britain, culture wars and given her roles at SOAS and Oxford, the looming crisis in higher education.

Photo credit: John Cairns

Monday 13th May
Doors from 6.30pm, talk starts 7pm
St Thomas’ Church, St Thomas’s Square, Salisbury SP1 1BA
£22 (to include a glass of wine)

Japanese Woodblock Prints at Arundells: Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) and Yoshida Hiroshi (1876–1950)

In this lecture, Monika Hinkel will introduce the iconic Japanese printmakers Kitagawa Utamaro and Yoshida Hiroshi whose prints were collected by Sir Edward Heath. A selection of their prints is on view in Arundells’ Library or Japanese Room. Monika will provide insights into the evolution of Japanese Printmaking and into the wonderful works by Utamaro and Hiroshi. The talk will also give an overview of the first special exhibition on the Yoshida family of printmakers Yoshida 吉田: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking which is on show at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, London from 19 June to 3 November 2024.

Monika Hinkel is a Lecturer in the Arts of Japan at SOAS, University of London. She received her PhD from Bonn University and has written widely on aspects of Japanese art. Monika has worked as a Curator for Japanese art at the Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne and lived in Japan for many years. Her special research interest is Japanese Woodblock Prints.

When:  2.30pm Thursday 19th September
Where: The Studio, Arundells, Cathedral Close, Salisbury.
Tickets: £15

Additional Details

There is no parking at Arundells, we recommend using city centre car parks.

All tickets are non refundable but you are very welcome to pass them on to friends or family if you are unable to attend.

Events in the Studio are kindly sponsored by Wilsons Solicitors.