If Opera Festival 2026
06 - 16 August
Church Farm, Wingfield
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN EXTRAORDINARY PLACES
In 2026, If Opera celebrates 30 incredible years with ten days of glorious music and drama.
Since If Opera's first production of Cosi fan tutte in 1996, the magic of opera has unfolded in the most intimate of settings thanks to the dedication of extraordinary artists and creatives and the support of Patrons and audiences. To mark this milestone, the company will return to the bucolic idyll of Church Farm and welcome back some of the artists who helped shape their story to present a season that’s as daring, heartfelt and joyful as ever.
Booking Dates
Priority booking will open for Patrons, Sponsors and Friends from Friday 13 February 2026*
*you will receive correspondence from If Opera regarding your priority booking day
- Gold Members from Wednesday 11 March
- Silver Members from Friday 13 March
General booking will open on Thursday 19 March 2026
The 2026 Season...
What's On
Become a Friend of If Opera
Join If Opera to support our vision and enjoy great benefits
Join a community that champions the power of opera to inspire, connect and enrich lives. As a Friend of If Opera, you're not just supporting remarkable performances you’re helping to ensure that this extraordinary art form remains vibrant, inclusive and accessible for generations to come.
Becoming a Friend of If Opera brings you closer to the music, the artists and the impact your generosity makes. Whether you're a lifelong opera lover or newly discovering its magic, your support helps fund emerging talent, outreach programs and school projects that place opera at the heart of the community.
As a Friend of If Opera you’ll get priority booking together with a range of benefits aimed at enriching your experience and giving you a unique insight into the creative process.
You can explore the schemes below.
Membership valid for 12 months.
If Opera Gold £250
Benefits include:
- Priority booking for the season (access before tickets go on general sale)
- Invitation to Pre-Season Launch & Supporter events
- Access to VIP Bar & complimentary drink
- Priority booking for covered, paid-for picnic facility
- Acknowledgement of support in season programme
- Exclusive If Opera Supporter newsletters
If Opera Silver £85
Benefits include:
- Priority booking for the season (access before tickets go on general sale)
- Priority booking for covered, paid-for picnic facility
- Acknowledgement of support in season programme
- Exclusive If Opera Supporter newsletters
Under 35s If Opera Club*
Benefits include:
- Priority booking for the season (access before tickets go on general sale)
- Exclusive If Opera Supporter newsletters
*No donation required
Open to those aged 18 - 35 only
Welcome to Church Farm, Wingfield…
Following the success of their 2025 season If Opera are thrilled to return to Church Farm, the home of long-standing Patrons, David and Fiona Robinson, for the 2026 season.
Set to the backdrop of the Westbury White Horse, this rural idyll boasts an ancient farmhouse and the exquisite, fourteenth century parish church of St Mary which are surrounded by a peaceful churchyard, picturesque gardens and duckpond, and sometime farmyard, complete with resident donkeys!
Secluded and tranquil, these bucolic gardens will also once again offer plenty of picturesque picnic spots as well as hosting the Saddlespan Auditorium, Pop-up Bar, Patron’s lawn and Picnic Canopy alongside the sell-out restaurant, The Cowshed by Homewood, and Taittinger Bar.
The Saddlespan Auditorium
Please note: this is a bird’s eye image with the roof cut away is to show the new immersive stage layout.
The Saddlespan is fully covered for all performances.
o Row A of all Blocks in floor level
o All other rows are raked
o To ensure easy access to your seats, your tickets will indicate the appropriate entrance to the auditorium - Entrance A or Entrance B
St Mary's Church
The Art of Baroque Masterclass and Concert will take place in St Mary's Church, within the grounds of Church Farm, Wingfield.
o All seating is on pews and unreserved seats within the church.
How to get to Church Farm
Church Farm, Wingfield, (A366 Wingfield Road), BA14 9LE is an eight minute drive from the centre of Bradford on Avon and parking will be available on-site.
Address: Church Farm, Wingfield
A366 Wingfield Road
BA14 9LE
What3Words: riots.leaves.enjoy
By Car
o There will be free parking available onsite. Please consider sharing lifts with friends and family where possible.
o The parking will be managed by our team of stewards and crew and well lit.
o Please note, that you will be parking on a field so the ground will be uneven. If you, or any of your party are bringing a wheelchair, require accessible parking or have any mobility issues, please inform the box-office at the time of booking.
o There will be a drop off area by the path leading directly to the Saddlespan Auditorium for those with accessibility requirements.
By Taxi
o There is a taxi service, Bradford on Avon Taxis, located at the railway station. Please visit www.bradfordonavon-taxis.co.uk for further information and bookings.
o We recommend pre-booking your taxi with your preferred company, or Bradford on Avon Taxis (01225 862277), as it can be busy during our event season.
o If leaving by taxi, we suggest using the estimated end time on the specific event page as a guide for pick up time. Please note, performance run times are approximate times only.
By Train
o There are regular trains to Bradford on Avon from London (change at Bath), Bristol, Chippenham and Westbury. Please visit www.gwr.com for train timetables and services.
o For the onward journey to Church Farm, there is a taxi service, Bradford on Avon Taxis, located at the railway station (see details above).
Frequently Asked Questions
Weather
- The events will take place in the closed (fully covered) Saddlespan Auditorium or St Mary's Church.
- Events will go ahead in the rain, however if the weather is torrential, If Opera reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event. Bookers are asked to keep an eye on If Opera's website for relevant updates.
Dress Code
- Informality is a feature of If Opera and eveningwear is not common. Most people dress smart/ casual but there is certainly no dress code.
- Evenings can get chilly once the sun goes down. The gardens may be uneven, and thought should be given to adequate footwear.
Toilets
Toilets are available, including accessible.
Parking
There is free parking at the venue with level access to the Saddlespan Auditorium.
o See Directions/How to get here section above for further information.
Limitations
- Children: Please see details for each event.
- Dogs: No dogs permitted except for assistance dogs.
- Candles & Flares: Guests are welcome to bring ENCLOSED lighting rather than open flares. Once the sun has gone down there are certain parts of the garden that are difficult to light, torches are advised.
- Recording: No photography, video or audio recording is permitted within the Saddlespan enclosure.
- Mobile Phones: To be switched off during performances.
- Guests must take all of their rubbish with them when they leave.
Age Guidance
Carmen
Children welcome age 12+
Under 18s free - offer applies automatically when Child/Young Adult ticket added with Full Price ticket.
Maximum 2 per Full Price ticket. Limited Availbility.
The Chocolate Soldier
Children welcome age 12+
Under 18s free - offer applies automatically when Child/Young Adult ticket added with Full Price ticket.
Maximum 2 per Full Price ticket. Limited Availbility.
Baroque Drinking Songs
Children welcome age 12+
Under 18s free - offer applies automatically when Child/Young Adult ticket added with Full Price ticket.
Maximum 2 per Full Price ticket. Limited Availbility.
Get Into Opera! A Carmen Family Fiesta Day
Children ages 5-16 (under 5’s free)
Picnic Prom
Children welcome age 11+
Food & Drink
Picnics
Guests are welcome to bring tables and chairs or rugs to picnic within the grounds of Church Farm. Please note, there are limited sheltered areas if the weather is wet.
Pre-bookable undercover seating for picnics now available.
Book an Undercover Picnic Spot
Please see individual event listings for 'gardens open' times.
Bars
A pop-up bar serving a selection of drinks including specially created cocktails for the season alongside wine, beer and soft drinks will be available in the garden at all events.
The Cowshed by Homewood
Following its successful debut in 2025, The Cowshed by Homewood returns to If Opera for a second year, bringing atmospheric dining back to the Cowshed at Church Farm.
This season, the experience remains rooted in a celebration of Mediterranean-inspired, fire-cooked cuisine. Guests are invited to journey through a menu that celebrates Somerset’s finest produce, with locally sourced meats expertly flame-seared on the Somerset grill. Complementing these bold flavours are vibrant, fresh small plates harvested from our very own No-Dig Kitchen Garden, all paired with a signature wine selection curated by our esteemed partners.
Book your table (which is yours for the evening) and enjoy a delicious menu of locally sourced produce before an evening of spectacular music.
For more information about menus and how to book please visit ifopera.com
Become a Friend of If Opera
As a Friend of If Opera you’ll get priority booking together with a range of benefits aimed at enriching your experience and giving you a unique insight into the creative process.