Bring your picnic blanket for an evening of entertainment in a stately homes gardens this summer.

Hanbury Hall near Droitwich and Greyfriars House & Garden in Worcester are set to host a diverse range of open-air performances.

The award-winning Illyria Theatre at Hanbury Hall will stage four shows.

The lineup includes a musical rendition of ‘The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle’ on Saturday, July 27, 'Romeo and Juliet' on Saturday, August 10, 'The Gondoliers' on Saturday, August 17, and 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' on Saturday, September 7.

Meanwhile, Greyfriars' walled garden beckons visitors to five shows of its own.

This includes performances of ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘An Ideal Husband’ by DOT Productions on Thursday 25 and Friday, July 26, respectively.

Don’t Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company will perform ‘Wilde about Oscar’ on Friday, August 2.

P.G. Wodehouse’s ‘Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves’ will be presented on Thursday, August 8, followed by ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ on Friday, August 16, both taking the stage courtesy of Tethered Wits Theatre Company.

Picnic items are available for purchase, but attendees are welcome to bring their own.

Tickets can be booked on the Hanbury Hall (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hanbury-hall) and Greyfriars websites (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greyfriars-house-and-garden).