Step back in time this month at Ayscoughfee’s 18th-century pleasure gardens revival

Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens will be transformed into a unique recreation of an 18th-century pleasure garden later this month, for Ayscoughfee Enlightenment.

Taking place on the evenings of Friday 21 and Saturday 22 March, the special event will invite thousands of residents and visitors to experience the Hall’s history brought to life through immersive theatrical performances, lantern-lit pathways, period music and artistic displays, offering the opportunity to experience the elegance and excitement of the Georgian era first-hand.

There will be activities and attractions for the whole family to enjoy, with performances from opera singers and a quartet, as well as a dance troupe giving the chance to try out Georgian court dances. Across the Gardens there will also be spectacular fire displays, stunning art installations from local artists Nicki Jarvis and Liz Kelleher working with the local community and illuminated nightscapes including glowing pathways and even a mysterious grotto with a local folk tale to tell.

Families will be able to take part in a storytelling trail and character-based scavenger hunt based around Spalding’s Georgian history, and Ayscoughfee Café will be open serving period-inspired refreshments for that fully immersive experience.

Visitors are encouraged to embrace the Georgian spirit by dressing in period-inspired outfits, with a special prize to be awarded to the best-dressed guest.

Organised and ran by South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership’s Story Tellers programme, in collaboration with specialist historical production organisation Heroine City, Ayscoughfee Enlightenment is inspired by famous pleasure gardens like Vauxhall and Ranelagh, capturing their spirit through these live entertainment, cultural displays, and interactive activities.

Story Tellers is the Partnership's Arts Council England NPO programme, which aims to fund art and culture activities and collaborations centred on the area’s rich heritage, bringing to life stories across Boston borough, East Lindsey and South Holland. 

Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, South Holland District Council's representative on the NPO culture board, said: “I am so excited for these truly special evenings of history, music and theatre that will be unlike anything we have seen before in South Holland, pushing the boundaries of storytelling to create Ayscoughfee’s own little world to bring our fascinating local heritage to life.

“Last year’s Ayscoughfee Light Night event was fantastically received, selling out in a matter of days, and I hope people will be excited to see us building on that success to create something even more ambitious and immersive, that will hopefully give those who attend a really unforgettable night.”

Ayscoughfee Enlightenment will run from 6pm-9pm across the two evenings, with visitors able to book a one-hour slot to visit on either night. Pre-booking is required, with a nominal £2 booking fee for adults introduced to help encourage attendance and enjoyment of this special event, with it being free for accompanied children.

Anyone interested in pre-booking can do so through the council’s Eventbrite page, at: https://ayscoughfeeenlightenment.eventbrite.co.uk or in-person cash only at Ayscoughfee Hall.