Picnic at Holland Park Opera
What is Holland Park Opera
Holland park opera is one of the most fantastic opera events in the country. What's even more impressive is that you can watch one of the classic operas in the heart of London for between £15 and £80, a truly remarkable offer.
With shows taking place between 04 June and the 09 August this year (2019), the Opera Holland Park (OHP) company has been putting on performances here since 1996. This year promises to be another excellent season with a fabulous lineup of shows including Giacomo Puccini's Manon Lescaut (4-26 June); Giuseppe Verdi's Un ballo in maschera (8-19 June); Francesco Cilea's L'arlesiana (20 July - 2 August); Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Ilsegreto di Susanna / Ilonta (22 July - 3 August); as well as performances from the Royal Ballet and others.
How do I get involved?
All you have to do is buy a ticket, turn up and take a seat in the covered outdoor theatre.
There isn't even an onerous dress code. The website states that 'OHP prides itself in creating an open and welcoming atmosphere'; however, given that performances take place outdoors, you are encouraged to bring warm clothing: coats, wraps or wool blankets are all appropriate. There's nothing worse than being distracted from the wonderful opera by being cold and damp!
Where can I picnic?
Shows normally start at 19.30, allowing guests time to eat before their performance begins. Many people visiting Holland Park choose to picnic, either bringing their own food and picnic paraphernalia and pre-booking a spot in one of the four covered onsite picnic areas or opting to picnic in the park before coming in. Both options are great, the latter obviously being the more economical and better last-minute option.
Click here to see a 360 view of the bookable picnic areas. We've outlined the free picnic areas in the park outside the venue on the photo below.
If you're looking for some extra tips and ideas to help you prepare the perfect picnic, why not check out our 10 picnic hacks, which covers everything from ideas to equipment.
If you choose to picnic onsite, you can purchase a picnic hamper from the Admirable Crichton website to eat at your pre-booked picnic table. Otherwise, you can bring your own picnic equipment and food to eat at one of the pre-booked tables. If you want to eat in the park outside, you should think about including a picnic blanket with the rest of your gear. Fantastic wool picnic blankets with water resistant backing are available from Ambunti Warehouse, that's us!
The venue's bars and restaurants open around two hours before the performances scheduled start time and performances normally finish by 22.30.
You can purchase tickets at headline prices online or become a member for a cost of approximately £75 per year, which entitles you to around £8 off each ticket.
How to get there
Located in the middle of Holland Park, London W8 6LU, OHP is best accessed by public transport. The nearest park entrances are the Ilchester Gate, Abbotsbury Road Car Park, Duchess of Bedford's Gate and Kensington Highstreet.
The nearest tube stations are Holland Park on the Central Line and High Street Kensington on the District & Circle Line. There are also bus routes running along Holland Park Avenue and Kensington High Street.
If you are on the look out for more places and events where you can unroll your picnic blankets, then why not read through our blogs about picnicking at Henley Royal Regatta or Glyndebourne Festival of Opera.
We also sell a wide range of wool picnic blankets and wool blankets, perfect for keeping you warm and dry at Holland Park Opera, whatever the weather.