Yard Sessions

Yard Sessions are back at Royal William Yard for the summer of 2026, with six free live music evenings running from early June through to mid-September. The series has moved to the Secret Garden, a landscaped walled garden you reach through an archway behind Residence 1 — the building that houses the Maison Pierre hotel by Bistrot Pierre — and just a few metres from the sea. The historic buildings around it open up views over Plymouth Sound from the garden steps known as 'the lookout', and the venue's acoustics make it a favoured home for local talent.

This summer's programme spans blues, folk, jazz, soul and alt-funk, mixing established South West names with acts playing the Yard for the first time. Alex Hart opens on 5 June, followed by The Andy Quick Trio on 19 June and The Busketeers on 3 July. Rue takes over on 17 July, Thomas Ford and Becca Langsford play on 14 August, and Russell Sinclair closes the series on 11 September. Le Vignoble, the estate's independent wine bar, runs a licensed bar inside the garden.

Every session runs on a Friday evening from 5:30 to 8pm, so it's an early one — you're in and out well before the night really gets going. Entry is free, and if the weather turns, the sessions move indoors to Melville. The Secret Garden is tucked away behind Residence 1 (PL1 3RP), so you'll want to head through that archway to find it.