Glyndebourne 2025
4 day holiday – Sunday 12th October 2025
Highlights...
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
‘La Bohème’
Herstmonceux Castle
Every autumn, opera lovers from across the country journey to the Sussex countryside for Glyndebourne’s inspiring season of world-class performances. Founded in 1934 by married couple John Christie and soprano Audrey Mildmay, Glyndebourne has earned a global reputation for artistic excellence while preserving the charm of its rural setting near Lewes in East Sussex. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and countryside, its modern theatre seats over 1,200 and offers superb acoustics in a refined yet welcoming atmosphere. Glyndebourne champions emerging talent, with many renowned artists, including Felicity Lott and Thomas Allen, launching their careers here. It also leads in sustainability, becoming the UK’s first opera house to generate its own power with an on-site wind turbine. This year’s Autumn Season features two exceptional productions included in our visit, reflecting the company’s renowned creativity and range.
Peter Hall’s acclaimed production of Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, first staged at Glyndebourne in 1981, returns under the baton of conductor Bertie Baigent. Based on Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, the opera explores magical mishaps, romantic confusion, and moonlit mischief. Performed in English, the cast includes Nils Wanderer as Oberon and Jennifer France as Tytania. With Britten’s evocative score and Hall’s iconic direction, this enchanting woodland tale remains one of Glyndebourne’s most enduring and imaginative productions - offering humour, beauty, and a touch of fairy dust!
Puccini’s masterpiece returns to Glyndebourne in a haunting, cinematic staging directed by Floris Visser and conducted by Adam Hickox. When Mimì knocks on Rodolfo’s door, their love story begins - tender, passionate, and ultimately tragic. As they face jealousy, illness, and poverty, their bond is pushed to its limits. With tenor Andrés Agudelo as Rodolfo and Aksel Daveyan as Marcello, this powerful new production brings Puccini’s music to life with emotional intensity. Sung in Italian with English surtitles, La Bohème remains one of opera’s most moving tales of love and loss.
The Hydro Hotel ★ ★ ★ ★
With its panoramic views of Eastbourne Seafront and award-winning gardens, The Hydro Hotel remains a top pick for Cultural Breaks Members year after year. This luxurious 4-star hotel offers sophisticated accommodation with Wi-Fi; an outdoor pool; beauty salon; cosy lounge areas and lifts to all floors. Rooms contain tea and coffee making facilities, TV, comfy double beds, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries, trouser press, room safe and en-suite bathrooms. Limited rooms with walk-in showers are available upon request. We will start every morning with breakfast in the elegant Crystal Restaurant, then finish each day with a 3-course dinner, including table service, and your choice of two glasses of house wine or soft drinks.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday 12th October
Your chauffeur-driven car will transfer you to The Bull Hotel in Gerrards Cross, where you’ll meet your Tour Managers, who will accompany you throughout the holiday. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a welcome lunch and have the opportunity to socialise with fellow Cultural Breaks Members. Following lunch, the coach takes us straight to the Glyndebourne Opera House for our matinée performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The Tour Managers will assist with helping you to find your seats, and the show includes a twenty-minute interval. After the show, the coach will take us to the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne. You’ll be assisted with check-in, and porterage will be provided. The day concludes with a later three-course evening meal in the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 2 – Monday 13th October
Today, you have the option to explore Eastbourne at your own pace, relax in the hotel or join our half-day excursion to Herstmonceux Castle. Originally a private residence, this historical fortress now serves as an educational and conference centre with formal gardens, woodland trails and the Observatory Science Centre. This excursion includes lunch and a guided tour at Herstmonceux Castle. Although the exterior is being refurbished, the interior of this historic 15th-century moated castle remains open to learn more about. With over £3million invested in major renovations, our visit offers a unique chance to see the castle and grounds in the final stage of this incredible restoration project. (Guests not joining the tour will receive a lunch voucher to spend in the Hotel). Following our trip, the coach will take us back to the hotel in good time before dinner.
Day 3 – Tuesday 14th October
You have a gentle start to the morning with free time to spend as you wish. We are delighted to head to Glyndebourne for a special Afternoon Tea before our performance today. There are steps and lift access at this venue. Enjoy a selection of fine teas, delicate sandwiches, homemade scones and pastries as an elegant treat to complement your operatic experience in true Glyndebourne-style! There may also be time to look in the gift shop and around the grounds. The Tour Managers will then escort you to our performance of ‘La Bohème’ and this show includes a twenty-minute interval. After the performance, the coach will transfer us back to the hotel for dinner.
Day 4 – Wednesday 15th October
After breakfast, porters will collect your luggage and the Tour Managers will assist you with check-out. The coach then departs to our half-way stop at the Bolney Wine Estate. Favoured for its quality English wines and scenic vineyards, we will have an introduction talk followed by a 2-course lunch with tea or coffee. Later, we continue our journey to our original meeting point at The Bull Hotel in Gerrards Cross for final refreshments. The Tour Managers will remain with you to ensure everything runs smoothly until the arrival of your door-to-door car, where your luggage will be loaded before your return trip home. We hope you have a fantastic holiday!
Total Price of the Holiday: £1,795 per person
Deposit: £200
Balance due:
17th August 2025
Whats Included:
- Door to door cars from your home to the meeting point and return journey
- Coach travel throughout the holiday
- Three nights at the 4-Star Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne
- 3-course dinner with 2 glasses of wine or soft drink every night
- Full English or continental breakfast every morning
- Lunch with tea or coffee every day
- Refreshments on the first and final day at the meeting point
- Tickets for two shows at Glyndebourne in best stalls seating:
- ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
- ‘La Bohème’ o
- All Admission/talks/tours at properties visited:
- Herstmonceux Castle
- Glyndebourne Afternoon Tea
- 2-course lunch at the Bolney Wine Estate Vineyard
- The services of your Tour Managers throughout your stay
- V.A.T.
- Gratuities
ROOM UPGRADE: Upgrade to a Sea View Room for an extra £200
For more information or to book call 020 4568 3377
