The Wind in the Willows

About the performance

Timid Mole yearns to explore the wide world. Gruff old Badger enjoys peace and quiet. Rat likes summer picnics and just messing about in boats. Their idyllic lives on the Riverbank are turned upside down when Toad announces his latest in a long line of extravagant obsessions: a gypsy caravan. Generous Toad. Exciting Toad. Only-A-Tiny-Bit-Boastful Toad. The Riverbankers console themselves with the fact that he cannot possibly get any worse – until, bewitched by the roar of a motor-car and the screech of burning tyres, he does. The other animals resolve to save him from himself – but can they teach him even a jot of restraint AND help him evict the opportunistic stoats and weasels who have taken over his ancestral pile?

Multiple award-winning Illyria celebrates Kenneth Grahame’s timeless tale of friendship, laughter, the longing for home and the lure of adventure. Enjoy it all summer across the UK where the story is set: in the great British outdoors.

Running time: 100-minutes (approximately), including a 20-minute interval.
Suitable for: Ages 5+ (younger children also welcome)

Tickets and important information

Tickets are pre-book only for our Open Air Theatre, and will not be available on the door on the day of the performance. Please note: Theatre performances are not included in the Museum annual membership as the performances are outside the Museum standard opening hours.

£20.00 Adults

£14.00 Children aged 5 – 17 yrs

£4.50 Children aged 2 – 4 yrs

£62.00 2 Adult Family (2+2)

£42.00 1 Adult Family (1+2)

Under 2’s Free

All these events are outdoors so please do dress for the weather and bring a rug or camping chair with you.

There will be refreshments available to purchase and we welcome you to bring your own picnic to enjoy.

Grazing Boxes

New for 2025 – you can pre-book a Grazing Box for two to collect and enjoy at our Museum. (Only available on pre-order – booking window closes 7 days before performance date).

Choose from:

• Grazing Box for two: A selection of finger sandwiches (Ham, Chicken, Ham/cheese salad) on artisan bread, crisps and snacking items (Serves 2 people)
• Grazing Box for two (Gluten Free) : A selection of finger sandwiches (Ham, Chicken, Ham/cheese salad) on gluten free bread, crisps and snacking items (Serves 2 people)
• Vegan Grazing Box for two: A selection of Vegan finger sandwiches (vegan cheese, vegan ham, roasted vegetables with tomato pesto) on artisan bread, crisps and snacking items (Serves 2 people)
• Vegan Grazing Box for two (Gluten Free): A selection of Vegan finger sandwiches (vegan cheese, vegan ham, roasted vegetables with tomato pesto) on gluten free bread, crisps and snacking items (Serves 2 people)

You can add your grazing box choice to your ticket order, just follow the instructions once you have chosen your theatre performance tickets. The grazing box options will pop up for you to add the quantity to your basket, make sure you select the date that matches the theatre performance you are visiting – you can double check this in your basket.

Grazing boxes can be collected from the Museum café from 5pm, doors open from 5.30pm with the performances start from approximately 6pm onwards. Your ticket with have confirmation information for the individual performance.