The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Edenbridge
What it’s like
Open-air shows on the grounds of Hever Castle, with your own picnic and drinks allowed in before the show and at the interval.
This is an outdoor theatre in the grounds of Hever Castle, so the shows happen under the sky rather than in a proper auditorium roof. Family performances and matinees run alongside evening shows, and you can bring your own food and drink, including alcohol, to have before the performance and during the interval. Worth packing a blanket to sit on and something warm to put on once the sun goes down, since there's no getting round the fact you're outside for the duration.
Timings depend on which slot you book. For matinees and family performances you can park from 45 minutes before and the gates open half an hour before curtain up, which gives you a bit of breathing room to find your spot. Evening performances have their own gate times, with 8pm shows letting you in from 5.30 to 5.45pm. It's a five to ten minute walk from the free car park to the venue itself, so factor that in if you're carrying picnic bags and blankets.
Children over 18 months need their own ticket, same as an adult, which is one to remember when you're totting up the cost of a family trip. The site says the show almost always goes ahead even in poor weather, with fewer than ten performances cancelled for weather in 39 years, though safety cancellations are possible and refunds aren't automatic. Tickets are non-refundable outright but can be exchanged up to five days before for a £5 admin fee, so it pays to be fairly sure of your date before booking.
Wheelchair users get paved, mostly step-free routes and reserved spaces in the Two Sisters Theatre, with accessible toilets a ten minute walk away at the Guthrie Pavilion. Only assistance dogs are allowed into the event spaces, so leave the family dog at home for this one.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free parking on site in car park, 5-10 minute walk to venue
- Picnics
- Bring your own food and drink including alcohol before the show and during interval
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible routes mainly paved without steps
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only. No animals permitted into event spaces
- It's an open-air venue, so bring layers even for a summer evening show.
- Gate times vary by performance type, matinees open 30 minutes before, 8pm shows let you in from 5.30-5.45pm.
- Only assistance dogs are allowed into the event spaces.
- A theatre ticket only covers the grounds for your performance, not a full castle visit, unless you add a reduced-rate gardens ticket when booking.
Plan your visit
Do we need to book tickets for children?
Yes, anyone over 18 months needs their own valid ticket, even the smallest audience members.
What if it rains?
The show almost always goes on regardless of weather. Cancellations for safety reasons have happened, but they're rare, only fewer than ten times in 39 years.
Can we bring food and drink?
You can bring your own picnic and drinks, including alcohol, to enjoy before the show and during the interval.
Is there parking, and how far is the walk?
Parking's free on site, but it's a five to ten minute walk from the car park to the venue, so pack accordingly.
Can we get a refund if we can't make it?
Tickets are non-refundable, but you can exchange them up to five days before the performance for a £5 admin fee.
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