Penshurst Place and Gardens will mark the second half of June with a mix of family activities, wedding inspiration and special summer events, as the historic gardens move further into the peak summer season.
Wedding Open Evening – Thursday 18 June | 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Couples planning their wedding are invited to explore Penshurst Place during a summer Wedding Open Evening on Thursday 18 June.
As dusk starts to move in across the historic estate, couples will have the opportunity to experience the venue dressed for weddings outside normal visitor hours, meet recommended suppliers, enjoy a glass of fizz and sample canapés while exploring the numerous indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces across the gardens and house. The evening setting offers the chance to experience Penshurst Place in a quieter and more atmospheric light as the summer evening draws in.
Having hosted celebrations for centuries, Penshurst Place offers a choice of wedding day options with settings ranging from the magnificent Baron’s Hall and formal gardens to the romantic planting of the Nut Garden and the intimate Inner Courtyard. To register your attendance: https://events.liveit.io/penshurst-place-gardens/penshurst-place-wedding-open-evening/
Midsummer Glow Fest by Hever Festival – Saturday 20 June | 6.30pm, 7.00pm and 7.45pm
Penshurst Place will once again provide the magical backdrop to the Midsummer Glow Fest by Hever Festival, an immersive evening celebration combining live performance, dining, music and dancing.
Taking place for one night only, the promenade-style experience transforms the historic gardens after hours, allowing visitors to explore the Elizabethan grounds through a series of artistic performances, illuminated spaces and atmospheric installations. Guests will gather beneath the ancient trees for live music, drinks and street food before joining guided tours through the 11 distinct garden ‘rooms’, where immersive performances and theatrical surprises unfold throughout the evening. The experience concludes with music, dancing and a finale staged against the backdrop of the illuminated gardens and house.
Midsummer Glow Fest is presented by Hever Festival, with Penshurst Place acting as the host venue for the event. To book tickets, visit: https://thefestivaltheatre.org/performance-midsummer-glow-fest/
Father’s Day Weekend Activities – Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June | Included with standard admission
Families visiting Penshurst Place across Father’s Day weekend can take part in a relaxed programme of themed activities designed to encourage playful competition and creative family moments across the grounds.
In the Old Coach House, children can create personalised Father’s Day cards and decorative plant pot collars, before selecting a small plant from the Plant Centre to present as a handmade gift for dads, grandads or important father figures. Traditional garden games including dominoes, ring toss, large skittles and Connect Four will also be available in the Stable Yard and picnic area for families ready to ‘Challenge Dad’.
The Woodland Walk offers further outdoor adventure, with a large den-building area inviting children and grown-ups alike to create woodland hideaways using natural materials. Along the trail, visitors can also discover natural play features including a fairy ring toadstool clearing, a log pyramid and informal woodland activity areas. All Father’s Day activities are included with standard garden admission.
ENDS
Image Credit Peter Smith
