Hatfield House
The Battle Proms picnic concert takes place in the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field in the leafy parkland at Hatfield.
Immerse
yourself in the history of this beautiful location said to be where,
beneath one of the ancient Oak trees, the young Elizabeth I heard the
news of her sister Mary's death and her accession to the English throne.
The celebrated Jacobean House has been
the family home to the Cecils since it was built in 1611. The Royal
Palace of Hatfield is where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood and
held her first Council of State in November 1558.
Hatfield House official website: www.hatfield-house.co.uk
How to Book
Ticket Prices
Per Adult:£29.00 if booked before 31 January 2012 (Online purchase only)
£30.50 if booked between 1 February 2012 and 30 April 2012
£33.00 if booked from 1 May 2012 until the day before the concert
Child aged 5 to 15:
£16.00 (children aged 4 and under are free, and do not require a ticket)
Battle Proms Concerts are proud to offer a £2 discount per ticket to serving and retired military personnel.
Ticket Information
- In the event that tickets remain available on the day, these can be purchased on the gate at £38 per adult.
- Advance group bookings of 10 or more qualify for a £2 reduction per ticket.
- Members of the Armed Forces and concert venue membership holders are entitled to a £2 discount on their ticket. Please note: These discounts are only redeemable on advance telephone bookings.
- You'll be pleased to know there is no booking fee!
- We can provide fantastic party packages for your group or company, offering bespoke or all-inclusive hospitality to meet your needs. Please click here to find out more or call on 01432 355416 to discuss your requirements.
- Activity Superstore voucher holders only please click here to redeem your voucher online, or call Activity Superstore on 0871 384 1800.
- Tickets will also be available to purchase from selected local TICs. A full list of outlets will be confirmed in spring 2012.
- Click to see our booking terms and conditions.
Tickets are also available from the following local Tourist Information Centres:
St Albans
Hertford
Bishops Stortford
Location
Hatfield House, Hatfield Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5NQ
For detailed directions and public transport information please click here
For a list of places to stay in the area, please click here
Picnic Hampers and Furniture Hire
Order here online and collect on arrival at the concert.
You can also hire chairs, tables and pre-erected gazebos to help make your Battle Proms evening extra special.
Order here online and pick up on arrival at the concert.
(NOTE - Strictly limited availability on gazebos - please book early to avoid disappointment)
Partners
Programme
Food, Drink, Friends
Music, Spectacle, Ambience
Discover a unique experience at the 2012 Battle Proms open air concerts:
4.30pm Gates Open
Before the entertainment begins, take a little time to unpack the hampers and champers and take in the sights and sounds. Win a prize at the traditional fairground stalls, visit the Napoleonic re-enactors at their encampment, and get in the party spirit as warm-up act The Rockabellas take to the stage!
The world renowned Blades Aerobatic Team will then perform their dynamic and cutting edge aerial display. The Battle Proms audience will later be offered the opportunity to fly with them as a front seat passenger by bidding in a charity auction during the concert interval.
Proceeds to be divided between The Blades’ charity partner, the Royal Air Forces Association’s Wings Appeal, and the Battle Proms charity partner, Combat Stress.
A video of The Blades in action
The Blades passenger experience - this could be you!
7.15pm Napoleonic Cavalry and Infantry displays
There’s a thundering of hooves as the mounted cavalry invite you to discover the colour and chivalry of the Napoleonic era, demonstrating battlefield skill-at-arms with lances, rifles and superb horsemanship.
7.55pm Diamond Jubilee Gun Salute
The gunners of the English Field Artillery Company herald the commencement of the evening’s musical programme with a volley of shots from an authentic vintage field gun in honour of the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
8:00pm-10.30pm The Musical Programme
In true Battle Proms style, the evening continues with a wealth of soul-stirring favourites performed by the New English Concert Orchestra, including Massenet's Meditation from Thais. Classic follows classic in a programme of powerful orchestral music carefully selected to uplift and inspire.
It’s the perfect opening to a spectacular classical open air concert, and there’s never a dry eye in the house as the historic and unmistakeable sound of the Spitfire engine rumbles overhead. This meticulously choreographed aerial display accompanies the concert’s opening piece.
Let battle
commence! The ground shakes for Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with live cannon fire
– especially poignant in 2012 as we mark 200 years since Napoleon's famous retreat from Moscow,
which inspired its composition. This serves as a pyrotechnical warm up to the celebratory
piece of music that gives the Battle Proms its name: Beethoven’s Wellington’s Victory, more commonly
known as the ‘Battle Symphony’, performed with 193 cannons, musket fire and
fireworks.
The Battle
Proms is the only regular open air concert in the world to perform this piece
in full using live cannon with real black powder explosions, each fired
electronically by the orchestra’s percussionist following the original score. This
is classical music with unrivalled dramatic impact; an unforgettable spectacle
that must be seen (and heard!) to be believed.
Click here to watch a video
clip of Beethoven’s ‘Battle Symphony’
being performed at the Battle Proms Concert.
The perfect summer evening closes with the traditional sing-along, flag-waving proms finale, including favourites Jerusalem, Rule Britannia, God Save the Queen and Land of Hope and Glory, culminating in a dazzling firework spectacular
Widely regarded as the most exciting summer proms concert in the country, the Battle Proms is an event that fans return to year after year. Pack up a picnic, stock up on fizz and join the party; whether you’re planning a romantic evening as a couple, a celebration as a group, or want to enjoy an informal concert as a family then this could be the unique experience you have been looking for.
The Battle Proms picnic concert takes place on the beautiful Hatfield House parkland. Full of history, this is the perfect place to enjoy a summer's evening picnic concert. Enjoy your champagne under the oak trees, as you listen to a stirring classical concert and watch the military displays and fireworks.
Why not visit for the whole day, taking in the the house and gardens before finishing your evening with the Battle Proms picnic concert?
Questions?
See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, or contact us using the details below.