Yard Sessions

Yard Sessions is back at Royal William Yard for the summer of 2026, a free live music series that runs across six Friday evenings from June to September. It brings together blues, folk, jazz, soul and alt-funk in the Secret Garden, with each session running from 17:30 to 20:00. The whole thing is free, so you can just turn up and listen.

The line-up for the 2026 season is already set. Alex Hart opened things off on Friday 5 June, followed by The Andy Quick Trio on Friday 19 June. The Busketeers take the garden on Friday 3 July, then Rue on Friday 17 July. Thomas Ford and Becca Langsford play Friday 14 August, and Russell Sinclair closes the series on Friday 11 September. That's six different acts over the course of the summer, each with their own Friday slot.

The Secret Garden is tucked away behind Residence 1 — the Maison Pierre hotel by Bistrot Pierre — through an archway into a walled, landscaped garden just a few yards from the water. From the steps at the lookout, you can look out over the Sound of Plymouth while the music is playing. Le Vignoble, the independent wine bar on site, runs a bar throughout the series, so there's a drink on hand if you fancy one. It's a relaxed, family-friendly setup: you can grab one of the Royal William Yard deckchairs or just bring along a picnic blanket and settle in.

If the weather turns, the sessions move indoors to Melville, where the winter markets are usually held, so it's worth keeping an eye on the Royal William Yard social media for updates on the day. Every session runs from 17:30 to 20:00 on a Friday, and entry is free.