Opening Dinner

Friday 7pm

Come in your Regency costumes or appropriate formalwear to enjoy an evening of the finest Regency entertainment. Enjoy an elegant sit-down dinner, with a variety of Regency amusements on show.
As always an opportunity for photography studio portraits will also be available.

Grand Ball

Saturday 6:45pm (dinner), Ball 7:30pm

Come in your best finery to the Regency Ball on Saturday night to enjoy dancing under the guidance of our Dance leaders, or simply enjoy listening to the wonderful music of Short Dented Potts who will play traditional favourites and some surprises. There will be other evening activities available for the non-dancers amongst you.
Supper will be served half way through the ball, and photography studio portraits will also be available.

Note: Please bring a plate of food to add to the supper table. For ideas on what to bring click here.

Sunday Service

Sunday 10am

St Aidan’s Anglican Church would like to invite any who would care to join the service at 10am on Sunday 19th May.
The service will reflect on the time when Jane Austen would have attended her father’s church in Steventon, with Hymns and prayers harking back to that time.

Note: All those who attend will be assured of first provision of picnic lunch, prior to the service, and transport to Golden Vale at the service conclusion.

Golden Vale Homestead

Included in your ticket

Sunday 11am

We will all be visiting historic Golden Vale Homestead. Bus transfer has been arranged, as private cars are restricted. After morning tea and collecting your picnic lunch, we will depart Exeter Hall at 11am by bus, returning at 3:30pm in time for afternoon tea.

Whilst at Golden Vale, you will be able to tour the grounds at your leisure. Inspection of the house will also be available with National Trust volunteer guides (gold coin donation appreciated).

Note: transport is by bus, private cars restricted. BYO picnic rug or chair

Picnic lunch

Included in your ticket

Sunday 10am

An exquisite array of picnic provisions shall be made available for your discerning palate, curated meticulously to afford you the opportunity to fashion your own bespoke snack-box. This delightful offering is intended to prepare you for a leisurely sojourn upon the verdant expanses of Golden Vale Homestead. As you partake in this gracious repast, amidst the splendour of nature’s embrace, may your senses be enchanted and your spirits uplifted.

Maypole

Included in your ticket

Sunday 11am

Watching our ribbons making patterns, as we duck and weave to the caller’s guidance- a tradition that goes back in time, but is just as much fun today. Set on the glorious stretch of lawn behind the Golden Vale Homestead, the Maypole and the dancers make a beautiful picture. Come and join in!

Archery

$15

Sunday 11am

Step into the refined world of Regency-era archery, guided by the esteemed David Potter. Amidst our estate grounds, embrace tradition and grace in this genteel pursuit. Your esteemed presence is welcomed as we celebrate camaraderie and skill beneath the azure skies of the Golden Vale Homestead.

Note: Archery cannot be pre-booked and works on a first come, first serve basis. We ask you to put your name on a list if you participate & make payment on the day.

Horse & Carriage

$10

Sunday 11am

Southern Highlands Carriage Club will present a display of historic carriages for inspection and photography at Golden Vale. Carriage rides may be purchased on the day.

Note: Carriage rides cannot be pre-booked and works on a first come, first serve basis. We ask you to put your name on a list if you take a carriage ride & make payment on the day.

Ball Preparation

Included in your ticket

Friday & Saturday

There will be numerous dance workshops on both Friday and Saturday taught by our experienced team; David Potter, Katherine Tammaro, Dr Heather Clarke and Aimee Brown, who will lead a one-off introduction to Baroque Dancing.

These workshops will assist beginners to be in the right place at the right time and will give more experienced dancers the fun of applying their skills to familiar and new dances. The dance program is based on English Country Dance with traditional favourites and new variations sympathetic to the era.

We highly recommend inexperienced dancers attend the Beginners Workshop on Friday and at least one workshop on Saturday before the Ball in preparation.

Baroque Dance

Included in your ticket

TBA

Prepare to dance for King Louis XIV! In this workshop Aimee Brown will guide you through the basics of dancing in the eighteenth-century French court. You will learn basic technique, how to stand and bow, the step combinations for two popular dance styles: menuet and bourée, and the beginning of an original theatrical inspired court choreography.

Musician Session

Included in your ticket

Sunday 9:30am

An informal practice session with the band. Bring your own musical instrument and join them in providing some of the music for the Country Dance.