SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM: ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES IN ESSEX - INGATESTONE HALL

Team members at Ingatestone Hall are delighted to announce the opening of their thirtieth season.

From Easter Sunday (April 9th) until the end of September, they will be welcoming visitors to explore the Hall and gardens every Sunday, Wednesday and Bank Holiday afternoon (noon - 5 p.m.) and to enjoy teas and light meals in the house's highly regarded tearoom.

At all other times, private guided tours for groups or school visits can be pre-booked and the house and/or grounds are also available for hire for special occasions such as weddings, dinners, meetings and exhibitions.

In addition, the team will be offering their usual range of special events designed to appeal to a variety of tastes.

2023 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of the composer, William Byrd who has a special connection with Ingatestone Hall in that the first Lord Petre was his patron. Two concerts are being held to celebrate the anniversary by Angel Early Music (June 10) and the Renaissance Singers (October 21).

Other plays and concerts will be presented, either in the courtyard:

The Wind in the Willows (May 14).
Concert by vocal duo the Cherries (June 3).
Twelfth Night (June 5).
The Comedy of Errors (July 13).
James Bond - Shaken not stirred (August 5).

or indoors:

There never was - a new play by Justin Cartledge (July 20-22).

Finally, we look forward to the return of several regular annual events - the Tudor Festival, evoking 16th century life (May 20/21). Ingatestone Rotary's Jazz Festival featuring the Jive Aces and the Salty Town Six, (July 15), a special garden opening in aid of the Red Cross (August 6) and the Billericay Mayflower Morris Dancers (August 28)

Further information

Ingatestone Hall is a 16th century manor house in 12 acres of grounds, built by Sir William Petre and still occupied by his descendants. It is filled with furniture, pictures and memorabilia accumulated over the centuries including two priests' hiding-places.

It is reached via Station Lane and Hall Lane off the London end of Ingatestone High Street

Normal admission prices: Adults - £8.50,. Pensioners - £7.50, Children - £4

For further enquiries: