Step silently into the night and listen as the finest musicians in the land duet with the sweet song of the nightingale.
This event has finished. Find our upcoming Singing With Nightingales events here.
In spring 2022, join folk singer and author of ‘The Nightingale’ Sam Lee alongside special guest musicians on an unforgettable journey into nature.
Enjoy fireside food, drink, songs and stories followed by an after-dark journey into the woods to meet the nightingale. Once nestled in ear-tinglingly close range to our bird, you will experience a concert like no other as Sam and the musicians join in an improvised duet with their virtuosic night-song.
While darkness falls upon the magnificent and ecologically-unparalleled woodland we will partake in this singular celebration of spring – the return of life to the land – soundtracked by its most decorated singer. Quite simply, it’s a spectacular opportunity to connect with nature in the most time-honoured of ways.
Running from 7pm through to 12:30am, this is not a typical gig, and each night is unique.
Your evening will include musical performances by the campfire, an eco-tour of the woods, and post-dinner tales of this majestic bird’s life, songs and folklore, as you are guided in a descent into nature’s realm, culminating in the now-famous finale: a silent walk into the dark to hear our signature human-avian musical collaboration under the stars.
Your ticket includes dinner, as well as a selected range of craft ales, wine, cider, teas and coffee around the campfire.
The special guest musician joining Sam Lee for this date is Owen Spafford. Owen is a composer and fiddle player from Yorkshire who specialises in the folk music of Britain and Ireland.
Tickets are extremely limited, with a maximum of 30 places per night.
Camp overnight following the concert! Please see the ticket window above for all of our on-site camping add-ons including luxury bell tents.
Singing With Nightingales is an all-weather and multi-terrain experience with specific demands on guests’ physicality. Please do read the full event description before confirming your place.
For more information on Singing With Nightingales please click here
“It was, as promised, magical” – Dan Damon, BBC R4
“Still aglow. One of the most profound and magical nights of my life.” – John M
“The event as a whole was an incredible experience, and I thought it was held beautifully by the whole team. Hearing the nightingale and Sam and Jonny singing and playing under the stars was wonderful.”
“The food and hospitality were wonderful, the music was spellbinding and the atmosphere was really very special indeed.” – Alison S
“…lying under the stars listening to the nightingales everything lifted…Thank you so much.” – Janet
“It showed us a new way of hearing, seeing and being. Or perhaps not a new way at all, but a very old way.” – Fiona M
“A holistic experience like no other. Total immersion in nature and music, in ancient Sussex woodland. It will take me a long time to process. Thank you”
“Being outside with a group of people connecting to nature and enjoying the beauty of song and songbirds. It felt very deeply sacred and beautiful to be a part of this!”
Singing With Nightingales runs from mid-April to late May each year, when the male birds are singing their courtship song.
Mercury Prize-nominated folk singer, conservationist, song collector, award-winning promoter, broadcaster and activist.
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Sussex
Secret location near Lewes, Sussex. Exact location and directions will be sent to ticket holders.
This beautiful location in the East Sussex countryside has a thriving population of Nightingales who make this their springtime home. The farm and its associated meadows and coppiced woodlands are a pristine wildlife environment.
Its closeness to Lewes and fast train direct from London to the nearest station of Cooksbridge make this a wonderful site which has allowed us many hours of deep listening and memorable times round the fire. Due to sensitivity with the small population of birds and being that this is private land and not public forest we must keep the exact location secret until your ticket has been purchased and instructions are ready to be sent out.
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