Pack your favorite treats and prepare for a brilliant afternoon of outdoor musical heritage! On Sunday 28 June 2026, the BW Festival proudly presents the Family Picnic Concert: Movies & Musicals, transforming the historic grounds of the Ruins of Bishop’s Waltham Palace into a relaxed classical arena. Running from 12:00 PM (Noon) until 16:00 (4:00 PM), this special summer showcase invites families of all generations to sit back and enjoy showstopping arrangements in a stunning medieval setting.
Family Picnic Concert Schedule and Timings
The Family Picnic Concert features a four-hour afternoon program built for families and classical music fans:
- 12:00 PM (Noon): Festival Grounds Open — Entry points open. Guests are welcome to arrive early to pitch their picnic blankets and lawn chairs on the palace lawn before the performance.
- 13:30 (1:30 PM): Main Orchestral Performance Begins — The 60-piece Charity Symphony Orchestra takes the stage to perform themes from famous movies and iconic stage musicals.
- 15:30 (3:30 PM): Last Night of the Proms Finale — The concert moves into its traditional classical finale, featuring flag-waving audience favorites including Rule Britannia and Jerusalem.
- 16:00 (4:00 PM): Event Concludes — The live musical program ends, and the historic palace grounds close.
Ticket Tiers and Entry Policies
Admission is strictly ticketed. Booking online in advance is highly recommended to secure your space on the lawn:
- General Admission Ticket: £5.00 — Flat-rate single entry pass for all attendees aged 5 and over.
- Under 5 Child Ticket: FREE — Free admission for infants under 5 years old, though a complimentary digital ticket must still be explicitly claimed during online checkout to manage venue capacity limits.
Official Booking Portal: Digital entry tickets are issued securely through the main event festival hub via bwfestival.art.
Food and Drink Policy: Attendees are fully encouraged to bring their own picnics, snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages into the palace grounds to enjoy during the performance.
Road Closures
No commuter roadblocks are in place through the primary town center streets, but immediate traffic controls are active around the venue perimeter:
- Station Road (B3035) — Strict clearway regulations are active directly outside the palace ruins. No vehicle stopping, loading, or temporary parking is permitted at any time.
- Palace Lane Access — The main driveway leading down to the palace gates is completely closed to public vehicular traffic, serving as a dedicated pedestrian pathway.
How to Get There
The concert is held at Bishop’s Waltham Palace, Station Road, Bishop’s Waltham, SO32 1DH:
- By Bus: The town center is connected to local transit points. Take the Stagecoach 69 bus line from Winchester or the First X10 route from Southampton city center directly to the main high street stops.
- By Train: The closest operational rail stations are Botley (4 miles away) and Hedge End (5 miles away). Visitors traveling by train should pre-book local private hire taxis to complete the journey to the venue.
- By Taxi Drop-off: Passenger drop-offs and collections should be directed to the designated municipal parking areas in the town center rather than on the busy main road outside the gates.
Where to Park near Bishop’s Waltham Palace
There is no public or visitor vehicle parking permitted inside the palace grounds. Drivers must utilize nearby public parking lots:
- Basingwell Street Car Park (SO32 1AL): The primary public pay-and-display parking area, situated a flat 3-to-4-minute walk from the main entrance gate.
- Lower Lane Car Park (SO32 1AS): An alternative council-operated parking lot providing straightforward pedestrian access paths straight to the venue.
- Central Winchester Road Car Park: Extra pay-and-display parking capacity located a 5-minute walk away near the high street shops.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things to do across the city? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover the latest festivals, live music, theater shows, and community events happening near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What date and time is the Family Picnic Concert?
- The concert takes place on Sunday 28 June 2026 inside the grounds of Bishop’s Waltham Palace. The gates open at 12:00 PM (Noon), the music starts at 13:30 (1:30 PM), and the event finishes at 16:00 (4:00 PM).
- Can I bring my own food and drinks?
- Yes! Attendees are fully encouraged to bring their own picnics, snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages into the palace grounds to enjoy during the orchestral performance.
- What are the ticket prices and do young children need a ticket?
- Tickets are £5.00 each for all attendees aged 5 and over. Children under 5 years old enter free, but they will still require a complimentary digital ticket claimed during checkout to secure their place. Entry passes can be booked at bwfestival.art.
- Which charity does this concert support?
- The event is a community fundraiser raising vital funds for Meon Valley HeartStart, helping them deliver free, life-saving first-aid training across the local area.
- Where is the closest parking lot for the venue?
- There is no public parking available on-site at the ruins. The closest town public pay-and-display lots are Basingwell Street Car Park (SO32 1AL) and Lower Lane Car Park (SO32 1AS), both within a 3-to-5-minute flat walk of the entrance.
