Play Hard

Family-friendly summer entertainment at Hardwick Hall

Outdoor Summer Sessions are coming to Hardwick Hall in County Durham - with socially distanced live music and entertainment for all of the family.

Written by High Life North
Published 31.07.2020

Live entertainment will return to a leading North East venue this summer – with weeks of socially distanced events for all the family. 

Hardwick Hall Hotel in County Durham has revealed plans to host a full Outdoor Summer Sessions programme on certain days between 21 August and 13 September.

And it means anyone who has missed their favourite festivals and performers because of COVID-19 can now get their music fix – in a unique socially distanced way.

The hotel has put together a whole programme of family-friendly events where attendees will be able to book a social distanced booth for up to six people.

The announcement about the events has been made following weeks of working on a detailed plan to ensure that all attendees are kept safe.

Measures put in place include a strict one-way system, limited access around the site, food and drink delivered directly after being ordered via a special app, multiple hand sanitisation stations, staggered arrival and departure times to maintain distancing and designated toilets areas. The hotel is also working closely with professional cleaning organisations to ensure the entire site is decontaminated after each event.

The sessions will include performances by singers including Heather Small, Gabrielle, George Michael tribute act Rob Lamberti and a whole host of big-name DJs, meaning that music fans can still enjoy the experience of an outdoor show.

And the programme also includes the return of the much-loved Oyster Festival in a new format.

The hotel – which every year hosts the hugely successful Hardwick Live event – is using its grounds overlooking Hardwick Country Park lake – to stage the events, with lots of options for people to enjoy a true festival feeling. 

Options for attendees include:

Booking a picnic bench complete with its own umbrella for up to six people.

Private dining pods for anyone wanting to enjoy the experience in style.

The hotel is offering its own double-decker bus with an upper deck which can also be booked privately for a group.

What’s On:

Friday 21 August –  Two of the UK’s top tribute bands – Coldplay UK and The Jam’d.

Saturday 22 August – Heather Small, the voice of M People, will be live in concert along with DJs Norman Jay and Graeme Park

Sunday 23 August – ladies day in aid of the Angel Trust.

Monday 24 August – Ariana Grande tribute act

Thursday 27 August – Diva Mix (Little Mix tribute act)

Friday 28 August – Kroud Karaoke Night,

Saturday 29 August – George Michael tribute act Rob Lamberti will host Club Tropicana along with DJ Murray Mint.

Sunday 30 August – The Manor Born Garden Party with performances by Alison Limerick and DJs Jeremy Healy, Danny Rampling, Michael Johnson and Tony Hutchinson.

Monday 31 August – Disney turns up at the hotel for two special Bank Holiday Monday events with Fairytale, taking place at 11am and then again at 3pm.

Friday 4 September – Gabrielle live in concert.

Saturday 5 September – Angel Trust’s Drag Race Bingo.

Sunday 6 September – Proms in the Park afternoon tea.

On 11 September the hotel will also host its annual Oyster Festival again in private booths, with performances by Boyzlife, Emerald Thieves and Crackpot.

And the sessions will end on 13 September, with an event in aid of the Red Sky Foundation, the Red Sky White Party which will feature DJs Brandon Block and Storm.

John Adamson, owner of Hardwick Hall, believes the events programme will be widely welcomed. he said: 

“Everyone has felt the loss of not being to enjoy any live entertainment for the past four months and been disappointed that major festivals have been cancelled.

“We’ve worked really hard to put together a fantastic programme of events with someone for everyone and at really reasonable prices.

“At the same time, we have put in place a detailed plan to ensure that social distancing is maintained and that these events are taking place in a safe environment.”

Tickets for all the events – which vary in price –  go on sale on Thursday 23 July. Click here for further information and ticket prices.

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