At the weekend we were invited to Battle Proms Picnic Concert at Blenheim Palace. We tied our visit in with visiting the new Adventure Play Area at the Palace. Before heading over to the UK’s premier picnic concert series which is located within the grounds. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but the boys had such a great time and it makes a change finding an event that works for us as well as the kids! Have you tried out Battle Proms yet? If not read all about our experience below in our Battle Proms review.
AD – We were invited to attend the picnic concert for the purpose of a Battle Proms Review – all words and opinions are my own
What is the Battle of the Proms?
Not to be confused with the last night of the proms held in the Royal Albert Hall. Battle Proms Picnic Concert is a unique experience where you can enjoy a musical programme delivered by the New English Concert Orchestra. With live firing cannons, vintage vocals from the Battle Proms Belles and dramatic displays from a WWII Spitfire and the Red Devils parachute display team. Ending the summer celebration with dazzling fireworks. It is no surprise that it is the longest running picnic proms series having started over 25 years ago.
It is also the only opportunity where you can listen to the orchestral performance of Wellington’s Victory – Battle Symphony by Ludwig Van Beethoven with live cannon fire at the appropriate points. If you are struggling to recognise the symphony I promise you, you will know it. Even if you are not that familiar with classical pieces.
Where are the Battle Proms Concerts?
Now annual events the concerts are held on a Saturday evening in July in the grounds of various stately homes. These make spectacular backdrops for an open-air picnic concert. Dates for 2023 and provisional dates for 2024 are:
- Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire – 1st July 2023 and 6th July 2024
- Burghley House in Lincolnshire – 8th July 2023 and 13th July 2024
- Hatfield House in Hertfordshire – 15th July 2023 and 20th July 2024
- Highclere Castle in Hampshire – 29th July 2023 and 3rd August 2024
Tickets are still available for the other performances for 2023 and can be brought online. See the bottom of this post for a Battle Proms discount code all venues offer plenty of free parking.
What music is played at the Battle Proms Picnic Concert?
The warm-up act for the concert are the very lovely Battle Prom Belles who sing a selection of vintage vocals along with their live band. It is the perfect start to a romantic evening. Once the Evening Gun Salute has taken place with live Napoleonic cannons and musket fire the Orchestral concert gets underway. The evening is compared by much-loved BBC presenter Pam Rhodes. Who gives you all the details of what is coming next including the opening pieces of the orchestral programme.
It should be opened with the arrival of the legendary Grace Spitfire. Which performs a meticulously choreographed aerial display to Pomp and Circumstance March No4. Following this there is a selection of classical favourites. Even though we are not big classical music listeners we recognised them all and there is something very special about live music. The first half finishes with the thunderous percussion of the 1812 Overture and we are treated to the sound of 20 cannons.
After the interval opera fans will be delighted with pieces performed by Soprano Denise Leigh including Habanera from Carmen. Before the highlight of the evening, the Battle Proms signature piece. A musical performance of Beethoven Battle Symphony and 194 live-firing cannons. Just when you think that it can not get any better the magnificent musical firework displays start. Over the course of Rule Britannia, the sky is lit up with spectacular fireworks in a jubilant flag-waving sing-along finale. After which the perfect British Summer evening closes.
What should you bring?
People do go all out bringing bunting, huge flags and picnic tables. As long as you can carry it you can take it. Although there is a designated area for gazebos and BBQs are not allowed.
We took camping chairs for us all and a rug. Along with a picnic and water bottles. As there are several places to refill. Even though it is July it can still get cold into the evenings. So we took extra layers and needed them by the time we left at 10.30 pm. Quite a few people around us had underestimated the reduction in temperature as the night goes on. You may want to bring a blanket for younger kids.
One of the attractions for many is that as well as bringing your own food you can also bring your own drink. Giving people the chance to bring their own bottle of Prosecco or otherwise to this informal concert.
Amenities at Battle Proms Blenheim
However if like us you have been out for the day, then you will be pleased to know there is the opportunity to buy both food and drink. With two coffee snack trucks, a food van and also a licenced bar you do not need to worry if you forget anything. There is also plenty of clean toilets and even some game stalls and vintage chair swings for the kids. Loyal fans can buy memorabilia from the onsite shop (and flags), chat with the British Army and support the SSAFA the Armed Forces charity.
One thing I really liked is that there are plenty of stewards and people around to help out if needed. As well people at the entrance and in the car park there are plenty inside the concert itself. There is a real community feel which is nice to see.
Is Battle Proms suitable for families?
Yes, I do think it is suitable for families. Age range wise I would suggest Harry at 7 is probably about the right age. He was interested in everything going on and able to handle staying up late without too much stress. Even taking a little nap early on after eating his full on the picnic rug. We did see quite a few families most of them with children Harry’s sort of age and older. Charlie at 11 probably got more from the experience as he was very interested in the historic element of the show.
Our experience at Battle Proms Picnic Concert Review
Battle Proms Review. I did worry that the boys may get a little restless at Battle Proms Blenheim but there is so much going on that we hardly sat still. The cavalry in particular was very active and there is always something to look at. With the favourites being the cannons and the fireworks. Both boys like their music so it was also a great way to introduce them to classical music without them really realising it.
Turned out Charlie had learnt about some of the symphonies at school and was more aware than I thought. He also has a strong interest in the arm forces and was interested in the narrative that accompanied the music. The Napoleonic cavalry display where the horses danced along was also a big hit, as it was with many of the other families.
For the adults..
From an adult perspective, it was nice to do something a little different with the boys. The moments when we sat and listened and watched the orchestra on stage were very relaxing. We also watched the sun go down and the moon come up. Although you can not help but get into the swing of things as the crowd sings along with the Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.
Unfortunately, although the weather cleared up it was far too windy for the Red Devils to jump and the aerial Spitfire to make an appearance. Both of these are weather dependent and completely outside the hands of the organisers. It gives us an excuse to visit another one of the venues for another Battle Prom Picnic Concert. Although we did not get to see parachute displays, some of the parachute regiment did appear on stage. The boys also had a chance to meet them and try out a VR experience.
We had a really great evening at Battle Proms Blenheim Palace, it was nice to do something different. It was the perfect opportunity to stretch the boys horizons. I would definitely recommend a visit.
Top tips for a visit
- The car park opened at 2 pm and the gates at 4.30 pm. We arrived around 3.30 pm and there were really big queues. So much so that everyone had put up their camping chairs and were sitting down. They were very quick at scanning tickets through having eight lines all moving at once.
- If you want to arrive early so that you get the pick of locations then you will need to arrive when the car park opens. If you are not too bothered then I would miss the rush with young kids in particular and turn up just as the gates are opening or a little later and you will be able to walk straight through.
- One side of the stage there was the cannons and the other side of the stage the cavalry. We sat in the middle giving us access to both. The programme gives an indication of the timings but it is worth heading over to each area five to ten minutes before so you can get the best views.
And some more..
- If your child is a little sensitive to noise then ear defenders are a must. Although Harry was fine without and we opted to sit away from the cannons. The cannons are no louder than fireworks so I would use this to judge whether you will need them or not. Or pop them in just in case.
- You need to buy Battle Proms tickets in advance this can be done via their website.
- If you want to leave and re-enter the concert then this is possible by getting a stamp at the information point.
- Don’t forget your pocket money. Flags are on sale at £2.50 each and programmes are £4.50 each. You really do need flags to get into the musical spirit of the event. The boys loved theirs.
- If you are planning on taking quite a bit with you then you may want to consider bringing a trolly or similar. It was not a particularly long walk from the car. But it also gives you options at the end of the night when the kids are tired.
Tips for a visit to Battle Proms Blenheim
Battle Proms Picnic Concert is one of the key Blenheim Palace events. They have a number of events held throughout the year.
If like we did you decide to combine a visit to the Battle Proms and Blenheim Palace then tell the staff at the main entrance. This will enable you to park in the right-hand car park and avoid having to go back out and around and back in the main entrance. Which is what you need to do if you park off to the left.
We left a few moments before the end to avoid the car park crowds. There were people directing traffic and our exit was straightforward. It’s quite a late finish for kids so we felt this worked well for us. Please note overnight parking is not available although there is a pick up and drop off point for taxis.
If you do not live local to Blenheim then you may want to consider staying locally. We stayed in the Premier Inn at Kidlington which is only a five-minute drive from Blenheim. We have stayed there a number of times and if you book in advance you can get a room at a very reasonable rate.
Battle Proms Discount Code
Prices for Battle Proms Picnic concerts for 2023 are adults cost £60 and children £21. If you would like to visit Battle Proms then they have kindly given me a 10% discount code to offer my readers. All you need to do is use code MudPie10 when you book tickets online – www battleproms com.
Battle Proms are managed by JSL Productions.
I hope you have enjoyed our Battle Proms Review, if you have any questions then please let me know in the comments below.
You may also be interested in the following blog posts:
- Tips for your visit to IMW Museum Duxford
- Spitfire experience at the RAF Museum
- Helicopter Museum Weston Super-Mare
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