Park after dark and summer days

Not quite as catchy perhaps, but just as exciting as the magnificent Wrest Park in Silsoe is normally off limits to visitors outside of daylight hours.

As the early summer evenings start to roll in, visitors can enjoy the stunning gardens and highlight tours at dusk as part of the Museums at Night initiative.

Museums at Night is the annual after -hours celebration when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events.

Wrest Park will be opening its doors for after-hours visits from 7pm - 9pm on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20.

Visitors will be given a sneak-preview of the latest developments at Wrest Park including the French parterre which is currently undergoing restoration to bring it back to its early 19th century layout.

Normal admission prices apply.

If sunshine sight-seeing is more your thing, Wrest Park also has a programme of daytime events throughout the summer, starting with a Georgian Picnic Party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

During the picnic, Wrest Park’s fashionable 1770s resident Jemima Marchioness Grey will be welcoming her aristocratic friends and visitors to have a flutter on the horses, Georgian-style, before she invites them to tea in her fabulous garden.

However, the genteel atmosphere may be shattered when an audacious highwayman bursts upon them, with an eye on their valuables.

Visitors will see the robbery in action, and if they are brave enough they can join the chase to stop him making off with the family jewels.

You might also be press-ganged into joining the 47th Regiment of Foot redcoats army who will be demonstrating their fearsome skills with bayonet and musket.

Those who are persuaded to enlist can join the redcoats at their tented encampment in the grounds, and revel in the sights and smells of a real Georgian army base.

For those not born to fight, musicians and dancers will be performing traditional period pieces in the stunning Orangery building throughout the weekend.

> Every day from Sunday, June 3 to Tuesday, June 5, 11am - 5pm.

Admission prices are £8.50 for adults, £7.70 for concessions, £5.10 for children and £22.10 for a family ticket. English Heritage members free.

Visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/wrest-park/ for more information.