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Handel & Purcell

An old wooden double bass leaning against a wall with a window and beige curtain nearby, inside a room with warm lighting.

Celebrate the rich heritage of English classical music in an evening devoted to two of the Baroque era’s most influential composers, George Frideric Handel and Henry Purcell, performed in the Great Hall by soprano Rowan Pierce and an ensemble of internationally acclaimed musicians.

Rowan has brought her expressive artistry to the stage at Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House, the studio, with recordings of Purcell, Schubert and Vaughan Williams, and TV, as the voice of the singer Siena Rosso in the Neflix series Bridgerton.

The Sand Handel and Purcell gala will take place on 7th August from 17:00 until 22:00. Accompanied by an English feast courtesy of Pickle Shack.

Tickets: £145 (or £125 with Earlybird discount) include concert and dining.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sand House for an unforgettable evening of music, fine dining, and timeless elegance.

Tickets
Music Food House
A large window with multiple stained glass panels above a door, showing trees and foliage outside, with sunlight streaming in.

Your Ticket Includes

• Live gala concert performance

• Champagne or non-alcoholic reception drink

• Seasonal English feast dining experience

• Access to the gardens and historic interiors

• Exclusive opening gala celebration

A sumptuous English feast celebrating local produce and refined British cuisine will be served within the grandeur of the Great Hall and Drawing Room, creating an atmosphere of warmth, elegance, and celebration. Guests are invited to wander through the gardens and beautifully preserved interiors of the house, many of which are rarely opened to the public.

This exclusive opening gala honours not only the music of George Frideric Handel and Henry Purcell, but also the enduring beauty, heritage, and careful restoration of the house itself.

Profits from the Sand Opening Gala will be donated to the charity Mind.

Text that reads 'Music' in outlined block letters.

We are delighted to welcome a distinguished ensemble of musicians to the Great Hall for an evening celebrating the music of Handel and Purcell, two of the most influential composers of the English Baroque period. Through majestic orchestral works, expressive melodies, and uplifting ceremonial music, guests will experience compositions that have inspired audiences for centuries and helped shape Britain's rich musical heritage.

We are especially honoured to welcome Rowan Pierce to the Great Hall. One of Britain's most acclaimed sopranos, she is celebrated for her luminous tone, expressive artistry, and exceptional interpretations of Baroque and early music. Her stage appearances have included Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House and for Netflix´s Bridgerton, as the singing voice of Siena Rosso.

www.rowanpierce.co.uk

Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary drink in the gardens before the performance.

During the orchestra’s performance, guests will be invited to celebrate the flavours and traditions of the English countryside with a feast crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients by leading foodie collective, Pickle Shack.

pickleshack.co.uk

Menu coming soon.

Outline of the word 'house' in large letters

Sand House will open its doors for a public evening event, offering guests a rare opportunity to experience one of East Devon’s hidden historic treasures. Until recently owned by the Huyshe family since 1560, this remarkable historic house has evolved through Elizabethan and Tudor history while remaining a private family home at its heart. Set within peaceful open gardens, woodland walks, and meadow fields, Sand offers an atmosphere that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

  • Interior of a cozy room with a large window letting in natural light. There are a dining table with chairs, a piano, and various decorative items. The stone floor and dark walls create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
  • An old stone building entryway featuring a wooden door, stone arch, and stone columns, surrounded by lush greenery and pink flowers in the foreground.
  • A stone building with a steep roof partially obscured by tall, dense green trees in front of a clear blue sky.
  • Inside a dark corridor leading to an open door with bright daylight showing trees and grass outside.
  • Sunlight filters through trees onto a grassy landscape with rolling hills in the background.
  • A sign reading 'Sand' in front of a stone wall with green plants and trees behind. Another partially visible sign below also appears to read 'Sand'.
  • Stone archway with a carved plaque and a coat of arms featuring a shield with a diagonal line and ornate scrollwork, in front of a textured stone wall and a thatched roof above.
  • A row of lush green trees with a stone bench underneath, set in a park or garden.
  • A rainbow appearing in the sky over a green, hilly landscape with an old stone structure and ruins in the foreground.
  • Red roses growing against a stone wall

Accessibility

Accessible parking, drop-off facilities and restroom facilities are available.

Guests with dietary requirements, mobility needs, assistance dogs or other accessibility requirements are advised to contact us before booking, so we can ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

Due to the historic nature of Sand House, certain areas of the house and grounds may have differing levels of accessibility.

Red roses growing against a stone wall.