Nymans garden is extending its opening hours this summer to host Friday evening music and picnic sessions for residents in Crawley, West Sussex. The Friday Lates events will run every week between June 19 and July 24, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This project aims to give local workers and families a chance to enjoy the outdoors after the standard working day ends.
Visitors are invited to bring their own rugs and picnics to the main lawn while listening to live music performances. The National Trust will also provide takeaway drinks and snacks for those who want to buy refreshments on-site.
Entry for non-members is expected to be half-price for those who arrive after 4:30 PM, while members of the trust can enter for free. According to Sussex Top Attractions, visitors do not usually need to book a ticket in advance for these garden sessions.
For residents planning to travel from Crawley, the garden is located about five miles away in Handcross and can be reached via Metrobus routes 271 or 273.
Those attending the late openings can also see a major summer exhibition titled The Art of Illusion: The Theatrical World of Oliver Messel. This display, which runs from June 13 to November 1, 2026, celebrates the legacy of the famous theatre designer who grew up at Nymans.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
