Rachel Wright demonstrations in the Gallery
2026-01-29 11:00 - 2026-08-27 16:00 (Europe/London) | OXFORDSHIRE
In the lead-up to The Stitched Garden exhibition in September, Rachel Wright will be demonstrating her work-in-progress.
Time: 11:00am-4:00pm
Dates: Last Thursday of every month – Jan 29th, Feb 26th, Mar 26th, Apr 30th, May 28th, Jun 25th, Jul 30th & Aug 27th
Venue: The Gallery (free to enter, just turn left after entering the main garden shop)
Price: FREE
Working on a domestic sewing machine, with carefully chosen pieces of cloth and endless colours of thread, Rachel will translate the gardens and plants here at Waterperry into her beautiful machine-embroidered textile art pieces.
The most distinctive aspect of her embroideries is the expressive skies, evoking perpetual movement and fluidity, the restless elements on their never-ending journey. She creates the essence of both place and time with attention to detail being given in both the foreground and scenic backdrop throughout the seasons.
Meet Rachel in the gallery and watch her whilst she paints in stitch and brings her work to life.

A Brighter View Exhibition
2026-07-11 10:00 - 2026-09-06 17:00 | OXFORDSHIRE
Our summer exhibition of landscape paintings features original works by Josie Clouting, Tara Parker-Woolway, Francesca Shakespeare and Christine Bass.
These four Oxfordshire based artists paint in very different ways but share a passion for exploring colour beyond their immediate vision. Creating paintings that boldly represent the lay of the land and the points of reflection, they capture the moments where light creates colour, bringing nature to life.
Date: 11th July – 6th September
Venue: Gallery
Time: 10:00pm-5:00pm
For more information on the gallery, click below.
View

Summer Orienteering Butterfly Trail
2026-07-11 10:00 - 2026-09-06 17:30 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
We are but small butterflies in the garden of life.

Date: Saturday 11th July – 6th September 2026
Venue: Gardens
Time: 10:00am – 5:30pm daily.
Price: £5.25 per child, including a prize. Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies. No need to book.
Summer holiday fun at Waterperry Gardens.
Using the compass and instructions on the trail map provided, look carefully around our gardens to find the Butterflies.
When you find one, mark it off with a sticker.
Don’t worry if you can’t find them all, you’ll still get a special summer prize for taking part!
Once you’ve found as many as you can, take your completed form to the Garden Shop to claim your prize. Please leave all the Butterflies where you find them so others can enjoy this trail, too!

Waterperry Opera Festival: The Elixir of Love
2026-08-07 18:30 - 2026-08-13 22:00 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
No potion can purchase love

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love bursts to life at a village fair, where a fast talking elixir seller, a self styled charmer, and two stubborn hearts set off romance, rivalry, and irresistible community spirit under lanterns and bunting.
Dates: 7th, 11th, 13th August 2026
Venue: Amphitheatre, Waterperry Gardens
Time: Performance starts at 6:30pm. Approx. finish 10pm, extended dining interval of 1 hr 15 mins.
Sung in English.
Tickets start at £39, with a small booking fee.
Under 35s Tickets at £23-£25, Under 16s Tickets at £15, Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets at £30-£32.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Craft Workshops
2026-08-08 - 2026-08-16 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Spark imagination

Dive into a world of imagination with our Peter Rabbit themed children’s workshops in the orangery! Perfect for little ones, these fun-filled sessions feature arts and crafts inspired by the characters from the Peter Rabbit story. Spark imagination and create cherished moments of creativity, as everyone makes animal ears to wear to the performance!
Dates: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th August 2026
Venue: The Orangery, Waterperry Gardens
Time: 11:30am, 11:50am & 12:10pm
Free entry, donations welcome.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Peter Rabbit's Musical Adventures
2026-08-08 13:00 - 2026-08-16 13:45 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
An ideal first opera

Join Peter Rabbit on a garden adventure, guided by a magical storyteller, in this charming retelling of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale, brought to life with Haydn’s string quartets. A perfect introduction to classical music for children – and fun for all ages!
Dates: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th August 2026
Venue: Amphitheatre, Waterperry Gardens
Time: Performance starts at 1pm. Approx. finish 1:45pm.
Tickets start at £16, with a small booking fee. U16s Tickets at £9.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Serenades
2026-08-08 14:00 - 2026-08-15 15:00 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Instrumental beauty and operatic splendour

Serenades is a summer outdoor concert designed to delight audiences of all ages. Dvořák’s Serenades unfold with warmth, charm, and pastoral ease, perfectly suited to a garden setting, while extracts from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro add humour, romance, and an irresistible theatrical sparkle. Set among trees and summer greenery, this informal afternoon performance brings together instrumental beauty and operatic splendour in a welcoming festival atmosphere.
Dates: 8th, 9th, 15th August 2026
Venue: Garden Glade, Waterperry Gardens
Time: Performance starts at 2pm. Approx. finish 3pm.
Tickets start at £26, with a small booking fee. Under 35s Tickets at £10, Under 16s go free. Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets at £10.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Come & Sing with Waterperry Opera Festival
2026-08-08 15:30 - 2026-08-16 16:30 | WATERPERRY HOUSE, WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE, OX33 1LA, United Kingdom.
Come and Sing

Led by Head of Music, Ashley Beauchamp, these free events will involve singing through some of opera’s best-loved pieces, and will feature principal singers from Waterperry Opera Festival’s 2026 headline productions. Alongside working with stars at Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Garsington, Nevill Holt, and of course, Waterperry Opera Festival, Ashley works with singers from across the UK of all ages and backgrounds, getting hundreds of people each year singing opera each year!
Dates: 8th, 9th, 16th August 2026
Venue: Ballroom, Waterperry House
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Free entry, donations welcome.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Music in the Ballroom
2026-08-08 17:00 - 2026-08-16 17:40 | WATERPERRY HOUSE, WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE, OX33 1LA, United Kingdom.
A remarkable journey through voice and song

“Music in the Ballroom” celebrates the variety and personality of the singing voice through a sequence of contrasting recitals. It opens with a special performance from our new Artistic Director, John Savournin, in a characterful opening programme, bringing the beauty of text in song to the foreground. Then, in collaboration with Opera Prelude, we present two thematic programmes to compliment our two opera productions. The first focuses on the Soprano voice, in an exploration of beauty, drama, and expressive storytelling linked to Puccini’s La boheme. The second is a programme devoted to the Tenor voice, featuring arias and songs by Donizetti, the composer of The Elixir of Love, uncovering their brilliance and emotional range. The series closes with a special guest recital from world class baritone Roderick Williams OBE, bringing this remarkable journey through voice and song to a memorable conclusion.
Dates: 8th, 9th, 13th, 16th August 2026
Venue: Ballroom, Waterperry House
Time: Performance starts at 5pm. Approx. finish 5:40pm.
Tickets start at £20, with a small booking fee.
Under 35s Tickets start at £15, Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets start at £18.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: La bohème
2026-08-08 18:45 - 2026-08-15 22:00 | WATERPERRY HOUSE, WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE, OX33 1LA, United Kingdom.
A creeping threat shadows their joy

Puccini’s La bohème unfolds in a dreamlike Waterperry of the late-1930s – the decaying estate a bastion of bohemian artistry amidst fast-evolving world events. Expect soaring music, laughter, and heartbreak in an unforgettable night of opera beneath the stars.
Dates: 8th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th August 2026
Venue: Main Stage, Waterperry Gardens
Time: Performance starts at 6:45pm. Approx. finish 10pm. Extended dining interval of 1 hr 15 mins.
Sung in English.
Tickets start at £37, with a small booking fee.
Under 35s Tickets at £25-£27, Under 16s Tickets at £20, Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets at £32-£37.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Living Light - Visions of an Abbess
2026-08-11 17:00 - 2026-08-15 17:20 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Inspiring music born directly from illumination

Staged in the intimate church at Waterperry, this immersive performance weaves Hildegard von Bingen’s music and words, inviting audiences into a luminous world of sound, spirituality, and visionary imagination. Living Light: Visions of an Abbess explores the inner world of Hildegard von Bingen through the visions that shaped her life and art. She experienced these revelations as intense, multi-sensory spiritual encounters, moments of colour, sound, and presence from which her extraordinary creativity flowed. At the heart of these visions was a radiant divine force she named Lux Vivens, the Living Light, inspiring music born directly from illumination.
Dates: 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th August 2026
Venue: St. Mary the Virgin Church, Waterperry Gardens
Time: Performance starts at 5pm. Approx. finish 5:20pm.
Tickets start at £15, with a small booking fee.
Under 35s Tickets at £15, Under 16s Tickets at £10, Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets go free.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Young Artist Gala
2026-08-12 15:30 - 2026-08-15 16:30 | WATERPERRY HOUSE, WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE, OX33 1LA, United Kingdom.
Discover tomorrow’s stars

Celebrate the future of opera at our Young Artist Gala Concert, showcasing standout arias and scenes performed by the 2026 cohort of Waterperry’s Young Artists. Discover tomorrow’s stars in an inspiring afternoon of fresh talent and vibrant music-making.
Dates: 12th, 14th, 15th August 2026
Venue: Ballroom, Waterperry House
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Free entry, donations welcome.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365
boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Waterperry Opera Festival: Last Night at the Opera
2026-08-16 19:00 - 21:30 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
An unforgettable evening of opera’s greatest hits

Bring the 2026 Waterperry Opera Festival to a stunning close with Last Night at the Opera – an unforgettable evening of opera’s greatest hits, featuring four sensational soloists, our festival orchestra, and conductor Bertie Baigent on the mainstage.
Dates: 16th August 2026
Venue: Mainstage, Waterperry Gardens
Time: Performance starts at 7pm. Approx. finish 9:30pm. Extended dining interval of 1hr.
Tickets start at £27, with a small booking fee. Under 35s Tickets at £17, Under 16s Tickets at £15, Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets at £19.
info@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Box Office Inquiries
01255 441365boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
Book Here

Transitions Retreat - Oxford Storytelling Festival
2026-08-28 16:00 - 2026-08-30 16:00 | WATERPERRY HOUSE, WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORD, OXFORDSHIRE, OX33 1LA, United Kingdom.
Transitions – A Weekend Retreat at Waterperry House
A residential weekend for anyone in the midst of a life change — a job left or lost, a working life ending, an empty nest, the close of a relationship, a loss — to honour the story that was, and to gently begin the story to be.
Transitions rarely arrive when we’re ready for them. Something ends — a role, a relationship, a way of life we’d grown into — and we’re expected to simply carry on, to get over it, to move on. But a real change asks more of us than that. It asks to be understood, and grieved, and eventually re-authored.
If you’re standing on that kind of threshold — whether you chose it or it chose you — this weekend is a space to stop, to look honestly at where you’ve been, and to begin, gently, to find your way toward what’s next. You don’t need to have it figured out. You are welcome just as you are.
Find Out More

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Matinee
2026-08-29 14:30 - 16:00 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Delightfully Daft

– The Stage –
Following its sell-out success, IKP’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz returns for another “bonkers” theatre adventure in Summer 2026, in a family comedy adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic book.
Date: Saturday 29th August 2026
Venue: Amphitheatre
Time: 2:30pm, doors open at 2:00pm
Join Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they encounter munchkins, witches, winged monkeys, enchanted slippers and a Wonderful Wizard! Expect the unexpected in this comedy for all the family, featuring physical humour, fast-paced multi-roling and plenty of laughs for all ages.
Book Here

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
2026-08-29 17:00 - 18:30 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Delightfully Daft

– The Stage –
Following its sell-out success, IKP’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz returns for another “bonkers” theatre adventure in Summer 2026, in a family comedy adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic book.
Date: Saturday 29th August 2026
Venue: Amphitheatre
Time: 5:00pm, doors open at 4:30pm
Join Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they encounter munchkins, witches, winged monkeys, enchanted slippers and a Wonderful Wizard! Expect the unexpected in this comedy for all the family, featuring physical humour, fast-paced multi-roling and plenty of laughs for all ages.
Book Here

A Midsummer Night's Dream
2026-09-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
What You Will return to Waterperry Gardens with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Featuring live music, feats of aerial acrobatics and the county’s best-loved thespian canine. Come see this classical comedy with a fantasy twist, and support local theatre while you’re at it.
Date: Saturday 5th September 2026
Venue: Amphitheatre
Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm
Book Here

The Great Gatsby
2026-09-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Step into the roaring 1920s, where the champagne flows, the jazz trumpet blows, and the American Dream gleams with irresistible allure. This electrifying stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel brings Jay Gatsby’s glittering world to life — a place of opulence, obsession, and heartbreak.
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Venue: Amphitheatre
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm, doors open at 4:30pm
As Nick Carraway is drawn into the orbit of his mysterious neighbor, the secrets behind Gatsby’s lavish parties begin to unravel, revealing a story of love lost and illusion pursued.
Featuring live music and a dynamic ensemble, This Is My Theatre’s adaptation invites audiences to experience one of literature’s best-loved stories like never before — glamorous, grandiose and undeniably… Great.
What have critics said about our shows:
“Warm and welcoming, clever and creative – a wonderful afternoon of entertainment!” – Grapevine Live (The Wind in the Willows)
“A fun-filled family adventure, thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable!” – Visit Dean Wye (Treasure Island)
“Rich in detail and a joy to experience!” – Ingenue Magazine (Pride & Prejudice)
Book Here

Autumn Festival Weekend 2026
2026-10-03 - 2026-10-04 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Date: 3rd October – 4th October
Time: 10:00am – 5.30pm
Venue: Waterperry Gardens Shop and Orchards
Price: Tours £4.75 per adult or free with garden entrance and for season ticket holders.
A great family day out where you will be able to sample and buy many of our different types of juices. Advice and information on growing, planting, apple identification and selecting trees and rootstock will be freely available on the day.
Buy goodies at the craft and food fair, take a tour of the orchards & fruit sheds including a behind-the-scenes visit to see our apple press in action.

October Snake Hunt
2026-10-17 10:00 - 2026-11-01 17:30 | OXFORDSHIRE
Date: Saturday 17th October – 1st November 2026
Venue: Gardens
Time: 10:00am – 5:30pm daily.
Price: £4.75 per child, including a prize. Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies. No need to book.
October fun at Waterperry Gardens.
Using the sheet provided, look carefully around our gardens to find the sneaky slithering snakes.
When you find one, place a sticker on the map to mark its location.
Don’t worry if you can’t find them all, you’ll still get a prize for taking part!
Once you’ve found as many as you can, take your completed form to the Garden Shop to claim your prize. Please leave all the snakes where you find them so others can enjoy this trail, too!
October weather can be varied; please dress appropriately for walking around the gardens.

Grounddog Day
2026-11-15 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
Because of the high standards of horticulture we aspire to we don’t normally allow dogs in the ornamental gardens, however, we know that dogs are a part of your family so for just one day this year we’re allowing dogs into the formal gardens to see what they are missing! (normal garden entrance fee applies).
10% of garden entries for the day will go to the Oxford Animal Sanctuary.
Just a few doggie do’s and don’ts:

We kindly ask that dogs are kept on a lead at all times
Please clear up after your dog
Please do not leave your dog tied up and unattended anywhere in the grounds

You can enjoy outdoor refreshments with your dog at the Teashop.

November Christmas Market
2026-11-21 - 2026-11-22 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
We are now taking stall holder bookings, please email marketing@waterperrygardens.co.uk
Get into the Christmas spirit at Waterperry Gardens by visiting one of our Christmas Markets – 21 & 22 November and 5th & 6th December, 10am-4pm.
Christmas shopping galore, we’ll have Art and Craft Stalls with gorgeous handmade gift ideas, festive food and drink, all nestled under cover in our plant area.
A brass band will be playing on the Saturday to bring that extra festive feel to this ever-popular event.
With Christmas shopping from our Gallery, Gift Barn and Christmas Shop and not forgetting our festive event in the gardens for the children, there will be something for everyone.
So wrap up warm and come and have a browse at what’s on offer!

December Christmas Market
2026-12-05 - 2026-12-06 | Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Wheatley, Waterperry, Oxfordshire,, OX33 1JZ., United Kingdom
We are now taking stall holder bookings, please email marketing@waterperrygardens.co.uk
Get into the Christmas spirit at Waterperry Gardens by visiting our Christmas Market, open 10am-4pm.
Christmas shopping galore, we’ll have Art and Craft Stalls with gorgeous handmade gift ideas, festive food and drink, all nestled under cover in our plant area.
A brass band will be playing throughout Sunday to bring that extra festive feel to this ever-popular event.
With Christmas shopping from our Gallery, Gift Barn and Christmas Shop and not forgetting our festive event in the gardens for the children, there will be something for everyone.
So wrap up warm and come and have a browse at what’s on offer!
