Outdoor Theatre in Somerset This Summer 2026

There’s a particular kind of magic to watching a story unfold beneath an open sky. No hushed auditorium, just a stretch of lawn, maybe a ruined abbey wall or a Georgian facade behind the players, and the soft glow of sunset as the evening wears on providing the lighting. A patchwork of picnic blankets is scattered across the lawn, picnic hampers are unpacked, children are buzzing with the novelty of staying up past bedtime, and there’s a shared sense of anticipation as everyone settles in for a good yarn.

Outdoor theatre offers families a wonderful introduction to the arts, without the formality that can put youngsters off and can sometimes feel daunting. Nobody minds if little ones wriggle, whisper or wander off to look at a duck halfway through act two. Kids can roam barefoot on the grass befire the performance begins, meanwhile grown-ups get a glass of something cold back, perhaps a Coronation Chicken sandwich, and get to actually enjoy themselves!

This summer, some of Somerset’s most extraordinary venues are transforming into open-air stages – National Trust estates and even a ruined abbey are turning themselves into stages for the summer, A blessing for sunworshippers like me, who’ll happily confess to getting extremely antsy indoors on a sunshiney day. From Shakespearean mischief in the shadow of medieval ruins to high-energy musical storytelling against magnificent backdrops, these are evenings that will stay with you long after the curtain call. Grab a blanket, find yourself some sausage rolls, and add one (or more!) to your Somerset summer bucket list.

Contents

• At a glance: every show and date
• Garden Theatre Festival, Bath
• National Trust Somerset: Barrington Court, Montacute House & Dunster Castle
• Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton
• Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Blagdon
• Glastonbury Abbey
• The Bishop’s Palace, Wells
• Knackershole Garden Theatre, Dulverton
• What to pack for a night of outdoor theatre
• FAQs

At a glance: every outdoor theatre show in Somerset this summer

Bookmark this table – it’s the fastest way to see what’s on near you and when.

*Always double-check dates and ticket availability on the venue’s own site before you travel – outdoor performances occasionally shuffle around the weather.

Garden Theatre Festival, Bath

Tucked into the gardens of the Holburne Museum at the top of Great Pulteney Street – outside the very address Bridgerton fans will recognise instantly as Lady Danbury’s townhouse – Bath’s only dedicated open-air theatre festival is celebrating its fifth summer. It started life as a lockdown experiment back in 2020 and has blossomed into a proper fixture on the city’s calendar, with honey-coloured Georgian terraces peeping through the trees and a resident repertory company running a four-week season, with something for every generation.

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (2-12 July) delivers exactly the sparring wit and abdurdity you’d expect, while Sense & Sensibility (14-26 July) leans into Austen’s world with a playful flourish – fitting, given Bath’s own long-standing love affair with her novels.

Families should aim for The Plandits’ The Big Bad Wolf (19 July), a loud, rock ‘n’ roll retelling built around fairy tale’s most notorious villain, with live music and plenty of cheek. It’s pitched at ages five and up.

Bring your own blanket or camping chair, or hire a deckchair on arrival; covered seating is available if you’d rather not risk the Bath weather (or the Bath sunshine). Fancy dress is actively encouraged, so don’t hold back.

Extend the day: the gardens sit a short stroll from Pulteney Bridge and the Circus. Book at gardentheatrefest.com.

National Trust Somerset: Barrington Court, Montacute House & Dunster Castle

Several of the county’s grandest historic houses are lending their grounds to al fresco summer spectacles, and there’s something rather lovely about watching a play unfold against centuries-old storybook surroundings.

Barrington Court, near Ilminster, hosts The Pantaloons twice this year. First up is The (almost) Complete History of Britain (3 July) – a breathless, irreverent sprint through the nation’s story with quick costume changes and constant audience baiting. The company returns on 18 July with Sherlock Holmes & the Hound of the Baskervilles, trading centuries of history for fog, mystery and a fair bit of theatrical invention.

Over at Montacute House, one of the great Elizabethan Renaissance houses of England, *SOLD OUT* Twelfth Night (7 August) makes full use of the setting – Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity playing out against a backdrop the Bard himself would have recognised.

Down on Exmoor’s doorstep, Dunster Castle stages two shows: Around the World in 80 Days (18 July), a globe-trotting, quick-change caper, and King Arthur & The Holy Fail (15 August), a tongue-in-cheek dismantling of Arthurian legend with daring quests played entirely for laughs.

For more of the county’s grandest addresses, see my guide to 23 Stately Homes in Somerset You Need to Visit.

Book at nationaltrust.org.uk. Membership discounts often apply – check each event page before booking.

Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton

If you only know Hestercombe for its Jekyll and Lutyens formal gardens, it’s worth a second look this summer – the Cheddon Fitzpaine estate has quietly built one of the county’s fullest outdoor theatre line-ups.

Friday 17 July is a double bill: Kaspar: Prince of Cats (4.30pm, doors 3.45pm), Alfresco Actors’ gentle adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s story, pitched at younger audiences and ideal for an early-evening picnic before bedtime; then, later the same evening, Alfresco Actors return with their own touring version of Around the World in 80 Days (7pm) – a different production to the one at Dunster Castle the following night, so it’s worth comparing casts if you’re a completist.

On Sunday 2 August (7pm), Folksy Theatre bring A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the gardens, promising live music, audience participation and a fair amount of gleeful chaos among the fairies and feuding lovers.

Extend the day: the Victorian terraces and the Great Cascade in the woodland garden are worth exploring well before the doors open – Hestercombe’s gardens easily fill an afternoon on their own. For more inspiration, our round-up of Gorgeous Somerset Gardens You Have to Visit covers several more within easy reach.

Book at hestercombe.com.

Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Blagdon

Quantum Theatre drop anchor at Yeo Valley’s organic gardens for Treasure Island (11 August 2026) – sword fights, sea shanties and Long John Silver’s crew causing the usual chaos in the Mendip countryside. Shakespeare fans should circle As You Like It (26 August 2026), a pastoral romp that suits the setting perfectly.

Picnics are welcome in the ha-ha garden, though it’s good form to buy a drink or two on site to support the event. Note that as this is a working farm, dogs aren’t permitted.

Extend the day: arrive early to explore the organic gardens and grab something from the farm shop café before the show starts.

Glastonbury Abbey

Few backdrops in Somerset carry as much atmosphere as the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, where the setting does half the storytelling before a single actor speaks. The (almost) Complete History of Britain (23 July) arrives here fresh from its Barrington Court outing, and on 13 August, Illyria stage a musical adaptation of Pinocchio, based on Carlo Collodi’s 1883 original – reportedly the third most-translated book in the world. Expect puppetry, original songs and Geppetto’s wooden creation dancing his way toward becoming a real boy.

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start on both dates.

The Bishop’s Palace, Wells

Any building that comes with its own moat has earned the right to a bit of drama. Set against medieval walls and well pools, The Bishop’s Palace hosts Othello on 19 July, performed by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men entirely in period costume with an all-male cast, much as an Elizabethan audience would have first seen it. Five days later, on 24 July, things get considerably rowdier with The Big Bad Wolf from The Plandits – the same punky, music-driven show playing Bath’s Garden Theatre Festival earlier in the month.

Every ticket sold supports the Palace Trust, so it’s a good-cause night out as well as a good one.

Extend the day: feed the swans on the moat before you find your spot on the grass, or take a slow walk along the Palace ramparts while the light’s still good.

Knackershole Garden Theatre, Dulverton

Somerset’s outdoor theatre season isn’t confined to its grandest gardens – this one’s for anyone heading toward Exmoor. On Tuesday 25 August (7pm), Rain or Shine Theatre Company bring The Pickwick Papers to Knackershole Garden Theatre near Dulverton, a smaller, more rural venue.

Rain or Shine have built their reputation on exactly what the name promises: performances go ahead in all but the most dangerous weather, so pack accordingly. Their new Dickens adaptation leans hard into slapstick and multi-role chaos, following Mr Pickwick and his companions through courtroom farce and carriage disasters over a brisk two and a half hours (including a 15-minute interval). Bring a low-backed chair or a rug – there’s no seating provided, and umbrellas aren’t permitted once the performance starts, so check the venue’s advice on what to wear.

Extend the day: combine it with a walk along the River Barle, or push a little further to Tarr Steps, one of the county’s most photographed clapper bridges.

What to pack for a night of outdoor theatre in Somerset

• A rug or low-backed chair – some venues don’t provide seating at all.
• A blanket or an extra layer once the sun goes down – Somerset evenings can cool off fast, even in August (although evenings have been very balmy recently with all the heatwaves!)
• A picnic, where it’s allowed – check each venue’s policy, as some (like the Bishop’s Palace) prefer you buy drinks on site.
• A flask of something hot or cold!
• Insect repellent, especially anywhere near water or woodland. And a compact umbrella or waterproof – though check first, as some companies (Rain or Shine) don’t allow umbrellas once the show starts, since they block the view for everyone behind you.

For a longer trip built around a show or two, our Family Glamping in Somerset guide has some lovely options for turning a single evening into a proper weekend away.

FAQs

When does outdoor theatre season run in Somerset?
Most venues programme their open-air shows between late June and early September, with July and August the busiest months. A handful of venues, including the Bishop’s Palace, occasionally run shows into early September.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes – popular dates, especially Shakespeare productions and family shows during the school holidays, sell out. Book directly through each venue’s own site rather than third-party resellers where possible.

What happens if it rains?
Policies vary by venue. Some, like Rain or Shine Theatre Company, perform through all but genuinely dangerous weather. Others offer covered seating (Bath’s Garden Theatre Festival) or an indoor wet-weather alternative. Always check the individual event page before you travel.

Is outdoor theatre suitable for young children?
Many of the productions above are specifically aimed at families – Kaspar: Prince of Cats, The Big Bad Wolf and Around the World in 80 Days are all pitched at younger audiences, typically ages five and up. Shakespeare productions can run longer and later, so they suit slightly older children better.

Are dogs allowed?
It depends on the venue. Working farms like Yeo Valley don’t permit dogs; National Trust properties and historic gardens vary by event, so it’s worth checking each listing individually.

Know of another outdoor theatre show happening in Somerset this summer? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

Read more:

• The best festivals in Somerset 2026
• Gorgeous Gardens in Somerset you have to visit
• 23 Stately homes in Somerset you need to visit
• Best Family Glamping in Somerset: Reviewed by a Local