Preacher the Storyteller Returns to Delapré Abbey This August With a Family Picnic in the Walled Garden

Preacher the Storyteller is heading back to Delapré Abbey for another one of his picnic storytime sessions in the Walled Garden, and it sounds like exactly the kind of relaxed, low-key day out that’s perfect for the summer holidays.

When is it?

The event is taking place on Wednesday 12th August 2026, running from 12noon until 3pm in the Walled Garden at Delapré Abbey. It’s a drop-in and drop-out event, so there’s no need to commit to the whole afternoon — come and go as suits your family, with storytelling sessions running at 12:30pm and 2:30pm.

What’s it all about?

The idea is simple and rather lovely: bring your own picnic, a blanket and some chairs, find a spot in the Walled Garden, and settle in for an afternoon of live retellings of fairytales and fables from Preacher. Alongside the stories, there’s a disco and a bubble machine to keep the little ones entertained, and it’s designed to be inclusive fun for everyone, so it’s less of a sit-still-and-listen event and more of a proper family afternoon out.

The Walled Garden itself is one of my favourite spots at Delapré Abbey — it’s got that lovely enclosed, sheltered feel that makes it brilliant for picnics, and there’s plenty of space for little ones to have a wander between stories.

Good to know before you go

• Drop in and out any time between 12noon and 3pm — no need to stay for the whole session
• Storytelling takes place at 12:30pm and 2:30pm
• Bring your own food, blankets and chairs
• Held in the Walled Garden at Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
• Tickets are £10.69 for adults, £7.48 for children, or £32.07 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) — prices include booking fee
• Spaces are limited, so it’s worth booking ahead rather than turning up on the day
• Please note dogs aren’t allowed at this event
• Book your tickets via TicketSource here

There’s also an optional donation option at checkout if you’d like to support the Abbey’s ongoing restoration project — entirely up to you, but a nice touch if you’re able to.

If you’re looking for more ways to fill the summer holidays, Delapré Abbey tends to have a packed calendar of family events running throughout August — it’s always worth a browse of what else is on if you’re heading over anyway.

And if you want more days out like this landing straight in your inbox, my weekly what’s on newsletter rounds up events like this one across Northamptonshire every week. If you’re planning a rainy day instead, my free rainy day ideas pack is worth grabbing too.

The events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.