Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Hadfield will serenade you at Findon Place

An evening of Italian Song is the promise as the open-air concert La Dolce Vita comes to Findon Place, Findon on Saturday, August 15 at 7.30pm.

Estate manager Caroline Hill said: “For one night only, Findon Place presents a slice of Italy in the South Downs National Park. Enjoy your limoncello and Aperol Spritz as Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Hadfield serenades you into the night with Neapolitan delights.

“Accompanied by his live band, Roam Sweet Roam, he will offer an interactive evening of Italian classics, ranging from Dean Martin singalongs such as That’s Amore to Turandot’s Nessun Dorma.

Also included will be Bella Caio, Tu Vuo Fa L’americano, Mambo Italiano, The Caruso, O Sole Mio, Time to Say Goodbye and many more, with tickets available on https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/egvrabjylgvm

Caroline said: “Usually we are a venue for hire for private use and for exclusive use but I like to keep work and life varied and so we do a variety of things. I usually take a weekend out of the diary not to do a wedding and to do something different. We have just had open-air-cinema.”

And now, through one of their wedding couples who are friends with Richard, Caroline is delighted to stage a varied night of music.

“It is open air. People can bring a picnic and we open a bar. In the past we have done open-air theatre and opera. We always like to do something that brings our community into the space.

“It's in our garden, what we call our great lawn at the back of the house. The whole estate is in a little bowl, and the acoustics are really good. They will be performing on our terrace and everyone sits on our lawn with their picnics.”

The capacity is 200 and tickets are going well: “It's a lovely programme. I know that they are going to do a real mix and it will be great fun with a little bit of audience interaction.”

Tucked quietly down a private drive, Findon Place – promised as “effortlessly elegant and charming”, is a Grade II* Georgian jewel surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens, abundant floral borders with views over majestic parkland and Cissbury Ring. With five guest bedrooms, swimming pool and tennis court, the estate is available for exclusive use for both private and corporate events.

There has been a dwelling on the site since 980 AD and is mentioned in the Doomsday book. The oldest part of the present house are the cellars, which were originally the base of the medieval house. The hard stone foundations, laid about 1200-1300, can be seen and a cut chalk and red mortar wall from before 1300.