Sam Lee

Join folk singer Sam Lee and other celebrated musicians for a very intimate journey deep into the Springtime Sussex forest to experience the rare and intoxicating song of the Nightingale, be regaled with songs, stories, folklore and ornithological wisdom on this magical bird.

Included in the evening will be a gourmet backwoods feast round an open fire and music from some extremely special guest artists.

More info about The Nightingales

For a few short weeks from mid April onwards a few thousand Nightingales annually fly to the southern UK from the Central African forests and can be heard, in a just few special locations, taking up sonorous residence after dusk.

The male birds territorially serenade about the scrubs and field margins with their magnificent and highly venerated song. Folk singer, song collector and nature lover Sam Lee has built a reputation of celebrating this ‘very African bird’ with his annual sell out excursions.

This year he invites you not just the chance to listen to these birds in ear tinglingly close proximity but to share his own fund of rare songs and improvised collaboration along with some very special guest musicians. Sam’s 2014 BBC Radio 4 documentary ‘Singing with the Nightingales’ was nominated for a BBC Radio Award in 2015 and this year he returns for a few special nights of immersive guidings offering a deeply wondrous, romantic and very potent experience like no other.

Further event Information.

Warm clothes, sensible waterproof footwear and your own transport will be needed for this special late night event.

They recommend waterproofs to be brought whatever the weather and torches, though as much of the evening will be spent in the natural darkness. Full guiding will be offered. Please wear clothes that make as little noise as possible. A sturdy blanket is highly recommended.

A 25 minute walk is needed to reach the birds habitat from the fire so please let them know if you have any accessibility issues. The event will end late as they have to observe the singing times of these birds.

Although previous years experience has proved several nightingales do sing at this time of year in this location we can make no guarantee that there will be singing birds at the time of your booking as these are wild creatures and are susceptible to changes in mind at any time.

Car parking on site is available and full location information will be offered closer to the time to protect the whereabouts of these birds. Every effort is made to make sure the journey and experience is as safe for our guests as it is for the birds and their habitat.

Participation is at the guest’s own risk. This is an all weather experience however if the weather is particularly bad, they will honour your booking on a future walk.