Back, bigger and better than ever, Royal William Yard has unveiled its calendar of events for the rest of the year. Spanning culture, comedy, creative, culinary and more, it promises to offer something for everyone. This vibrant variety of events will take place across 2022, marking its busiest year and first full calendar since 2019.
From music by the sea, to award-winning food markets, there is a mix of occasions, workshops, gigs and get-togethers scheduled – plus a whole host of regular fixtures at Yard venues. The popular destination will also play host to new faces and activities, like new market traders Lars & Margo Coffee Roasters; new-look Native Makers markets; and Plymouth’s first print programme, which includes exhibitions, workshops and children’s sessions.
Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash said, “After a couple of years of a pared back events programme, we are excited to have an incredible series of occasions and activities coming to the Yard this year. It’s going to be busy, bustling and brilliant – we look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far.”
May:
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 1st, 10am-3pm. In its regular slot on the first Sunday of the month, this leading local market boasts the best food, drink, crafts and creations from the region’s finest traders. Dozens of stalls will line the lawn at the Yard.
- Printing sessions: have a go at screen printing at a workshop on Sunday 1st at 10am, join artist Beth Munro for tutoring workshops from Wednesday 4th onwards, or try screen-printing on paper (14th-15th) – all at Ocean Studios.
- Native Makers: Saturday 7th, 10am-5pm and Sunday 8th, 10am-4pm. Based in the iconic Grade I listed Melville building for the first time, this will be a weekend of over 50 stalls, creative workshops, and children’s activities all courtesy of local artists and makers.
- Exploring Bordeaux: Thursday 12th May, 7-9pm at Le Vignoble. An evening discovering wines from Bordeaux, hosted by Sophie Balanger from Maison Sichel.
- South West SUP: Stand-up paddle board Yoga will take place on Saturday 7th. Sunday 15th at Firestone Bay, head to the water under stars for a Full Moon Paddle.
- Charity Wine Quiz Night: Thursday 19th, 7-9pm at Le Vignoble. Put your wine knowledge to the test at our wine quiz night to support local charity, Luna’s Fund.
- Chardonnay Tour Wine Tasting: Thursday 26th, 7-9pm at Le Vignoble. Celebrate International Chardonnay Day! Enjoy a tasting of 6 different Chardonnays.
- Yard Sessions: Friday 27th, 5:30-8pm. In the scenic surrounds of Firestone Bay, relax with local musical talent as the sun goes down.
June:
- Jubilee Weekend Celebrations: Marking Her Majesty’s platinum Jubilee, enjoy outdoor celebrations, including light beacons beaming out across Plymouth.
- Yard Sessions: Friday 3rd, 5:30-8pm. Chilled tunes by the water at Firestone Bay.
- Good Food and Craft Market: Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th, 10am-3pm. Dozens of the region’s best traders take to the green for the weekend.
- Native Makers: Saturday 4th, 10am-5pm. At Ocean Studios, the creative hub of the Yard. Native Makers is now being run by talented local creatives, Lucy and Stevie.
- South West SUP: Tuesday 14th at Firestone Bay, Full Moon Paddle. Saturday 25th is a Blue Mind retreat. Stand-up paddle board Yoga will take place on Saturday 4th and 18th. Water Skills Academy, Women Only SUP Collective Tour, will come to Plymouth on Sunday 26th.
- Yard Sessions: Friday 24th, 5:30-8pm. Sundowners at sunset, great music and vibes at Firestone Bay.
- Wimbledon on the Green: Monday 27th onwards. The big screen is back! Relax in a deckchair and watch the tennis in style. Health and wellbeing activities will also be on offer.
July:
- Wimbledon on the Green: Running until Sunday 10th. Watch the whole tournament, right through to the excitement of the finals. Also enjoy food, drink and activities in the open air.
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 3rd, 10am-3pm. Enjoy a summer fayre theme at this market, with a host of outstanding stallholders on the green.
- Photographic Screen Printing: Sunday 3rd, 10am at Ocean Studios. An introduction to textile screen printing using the photographic transfer process.
- Native Makers: Saturday 9th – Sunday 10th , back in the Melville building.
- South West SUP: On Sunday 3rd July the Drake’s Island Paddle will take place, a fun SUP race to raise funds for charity. Wednesday 13th at Firestone Bay, Full Moon Paddle. Sunday 24th is a Blue Mind retreat. Stand-up paddle board Yoga will take place on Saturday 2nd, 16th and 30th. The weekend of 23-24th will see activities take place as part of the Big Splash event.
- Yard Sessions: Friday 29th, 5:30-8pm. Live music at Firestone Bay to ease you into the weekend in style.
August:
- Native Makers: Saturday 6th August, 10am-5pm. The makers market will be on in the Yard’s creative hub, Ocean Studios.
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 7th, 10am-3pm. Enjoy dozens of standout stalls and sellers in the summer sunshine on the Yard’s lawn.
- Yard Sessions: Friday 12th and Friday 26th, 5:30-8pm. Enjoy an evening of chilled tunes by the water at Firestone Bay as the season’s Yard Sessions draw to a close.
- South West SUP: Friday 12th at Firestone Bay, Full Moon Paddle. Sunday 21st is a Blue Mind retreat. Stand-up paddle board Yoga will take place on Saturday 13th.
- Native Makers: Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th. A weekend of markets, workshops and children’s activities at Melville building.
September:
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 4th, 10am-3pm. Tasty and tempting treats on offer at this popular market on the green at Royal William Yard.
October:
- Native Makers: Saturday 1st at Ocean Studios, for handcrafted products from talented local makers and artists.
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 2nd, 10am-3pm. At autumnal feel at this month’s market, with a harvest festival theme across the many stalls.
- Print Festival: the culmination of the six-month Print in Action programme, this festival will run from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd at Ocean Studios with an array of activities planned.
November:
- Native Makers: Saturday 5th at Ocean Studios. Plenty of artisan stalls to peruse with local artistic talent on display.
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 6th, 10am-3pm. Start Christmas shopping with a variety of unique gifts on offer from the region’s best finest traders.
December:
A month of markets as the festivities ramp up! Eat, drink and be merry at Royal William Yard – and shop ‘til you drop at weekend and late-night festive markets.
- Good Food and Craft Market: Sunday 4th, 11th and 18th, 10am-3pm. More markets mean more chances to get thoughtful and unique Christmas gifts from the region’s best artisans.
- Late Night Good Food and Craft Market: Wednesday 7th and 14th , 5-9pm. Seasonal shopping under the stars.
Regular events:
Whatever your passion or pastime, there is bound to be something on at the Yard that appeals, with weekly events that cater for all!
- Seco Lounge: Quiz night, Mondays from 7:30pm.
- South West SUP: Stand-up paddle boarding classes, lessons and hire. Club paddles are Tuesdays and Fridays at 6pm, Thursdays at 7am, and Sundays at 8am. Lessons and hire Tuesday-Sunday, all from Firestone Bay.
- The Club House: Quiz night, Thursdays from 7pm.
- Le Vignoble: Wine Club Members Tasting is a complementary tasting for members – tickets by invite only but free to join.
- Ocean Studios: Comedy night, every fourth Wednesday of the month at Ocean Studios.
- Ocean Studios: Mark Fielding Portrait Clinic, Thursdays from 10am-12.
- Ocean Studios: Mini-Makers, 10am-12. Arts and crafts sessions for children.
- Yard Yoga: Ashtanga Yoga Plymouth, Saturdays (10-11:15am) and Sundays (10-11:15am) held at Mills Bakery. Join sessions by the sea, aimed to relax and rejuvenate.