New for 2024, the Shuttleworth Collection and Gardens are pleased to announce our first-ever Family Proms will take place on Sunday, 1 September. Building on the foundations of Shuttleworth’s iconic Flying Proms, the Family Proms is set to be a truly unique way to experience one of Bedfordshire’s most historic sites.
Alongside this brand-new format, Shuttleworth is also thrilled to announce that the afternoon entertainment will be hosted by none other than TV’s Michaela Strachan. Michaela is best known for her extensive work on BBC’s’; ‘Springwatch’; ‘Autumnwatch’ and ‘Winterwatch’. It is fitting, then, that for the Family Proms, Michaela will be narrating the Carnival of the Animals; a humorous musical suite of fourteen movements alongside this will be four numbers from the hit musical ‘Matilda’, including, ‘Quiet’, ‘Naughty’, ‘My House’, and ‘When I Grow Up’, all performed by the world-famous National Symphony Orchestra.
Pride of place in the music programme will go to the premiere of a newly commissioned piece of music by renowned local composer Cheryl Francis-Hoad. The piece will commemorate the life of the Collection’s founder, Richard Shuttleworth, and has been composed by Cheryl in collaboration with students from Henlow Academy.
Throughout the day, there will be a huge variety of FREE ground attractions aimed to educate and inspire, including Flight Simulators, such as the British Gliding Association’s K13 gliding sim; WHAT’s visceral Rocking Nacelle WWI experience or Joystick Club’s incredible Tomahawk and Seneca replica sit in cockpit simulators. Alongside these there are over 20 other experiences, including a Planetarium; an Action Camp; Pedal Planes; Discovery Zones; Chuck Gliders; STEM Stage Shows; Airfix Make n’ Paint; SENsory tours; a SENsory retreat & Vintage Bus Rides – ALL INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE.
Of course, alongside these wonderful attractions, our catering team will be running our café, bar and catering pods across the site for refreshment and dining. With the opportunity to explore the iconic Shuttleworth House and magical Swiss Gardens also included in your ticket, this really is an event not to be missed. And best of all – KIDS GO FREE!
