Your Visit to Grosvenor Park
How to find us
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is in Grosvenor Park, in the heart of Chester city centre. If you are using a sat nav, use postcode CH1 1QQ (Vicars Lane).
Local, regional and national train services all run from Chester Station, which is a 10-minute walk away. Chester Bus Interchange is also a 10-minute walk away.
Parking
The nearest car park is the Multi Storey on Pepper Street (follow the AA Road signs for parking and Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.)
This car park is open until midnight, and disabled parking is available.
There are various other city centre car parks available. See local car parks. Please check closing times as in the event of rain delay the finish time may be a little later. Street parking is also available at evenings and weekends a few minutes walk away.
What happens if it rains?
Being outside will be an integral part of the experience. We’ve witnessed some baking afternoons, inspiring sunsets, and the odd thunderstorm. If you’re worried, you can buy a ticket for the covered area.
Come prepared – for matinées bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. For early evening performances bring warm clothes. Raincoats are recommended; you may bring an umbrella but please don’t use it if it can block anyone’s view. Don’t worry if you’ve left without these – we’ll be providing blankets, waterproof ponchos and umbrellas for sale on site too.
Occasionally very bad weather may mean we have to stop and restart the show, we allow for up to 60 minutes delay.
We will never cancel a performance before the advertised start time, as the weather can change very quickly.
If we have to cancel the show, you will be offered the choice of a full refund or new tickets for a different date.
Can I buy food and drink?
Street Food including fresh, wood-fired pizza and barbecue, will be available to buy onsite. You can also bring your own food and snacks.
There will be a full bar available, with local craft beers, frozen cocktails, prosecco on ice and more. We kindly ask that you do not bring your own alcohol onsite.
To beat the queues and guarantee availability, you can pre-order pizzas and drinks before your show from the links below:
Is the park accessible?
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is accessible with no steps leading to the site and has accessible toilets on-site – but please do bear in mind that whilst there are concrete pathways at the park, the theatre auditorium is located on grass and you will need to travel over a small area of grass to reach it.
There will be plenty of team members welcoming audiences on site for any help or guidance you might need.
You can see our visual story here.
Seating
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is open-air, in-the-round and has unreserved seating in wide bench-style tiered terrace seating (called ‘Picnic Terraces’ and ‘Covered and Premium Picnic Terraces’) plus ‘Picnic Chairs’ which are directors chairs at ground level.
If you are a wheelchair user, you can book a Picnic Terrace ticket and transfer from your wheelchair to the Picnic Terrace or if you prefer, you can remain in your wheelchair and sit at ground level in the Picnic Chair area. Covered and Premium areas have steps up to them so are not accessible unless you are comfortable transferring from a wheelchair up several steps to your seat. There is a handrail.
Performances
Every single performance of The Gangs of New York and The Importance of Being Earnest will be live-captioned!
There will be Relaxed and BSL Performances of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
If you have any extra requirements, please let us know by emailing hello@storyhouse.com
Free Essential Companion tickets are also available.
What are the different seating options?
There are five different seating areas in the open air theatre:
Picnic Terraces
Unreserved seating in wide bench-style tiered terrace seating.
Covered Picnic Terraces
The back two rows of wide bench-style tiered terrace seating. Under cover giving some shade and shelter from the rain.
Picnic Chairs
Two rows of directors’ chairs at ground level – ideal if you like to be in the heart of the action!
Premium
Guarantee either the back row of the Covered Picnic Terraces or the front row of the Picnic Chairs (no concessions available).
What time should I arrive for my show?
The show will start at the time specified on your ticket but you’re encouraged to come earlier and soak up the atmosphere!
The site will be open at least two hours before every show.
As seating is unreserved for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Pride & Prejudice please arrive in plenty of time to take your seats.
Are dogs allowed?
Well-behaved dogs on leads are very welcome within the festival site – we often have young children on site so please be vigilant.
Only service dogs are allowed into the theatre.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are toilets on the festival site, including accessible toilets.