Concrete Playground

No longer must you while away the hours in dark, ornate rooms, whispering the words of Keats, Byron and Shelley to yourself like a mantra. Closet Romantics, now is the time to confess. Shroud yourself in mystery and prepare for your hair to be gorgeously windswept: your chance for irrational dalliance is at hand.

Air your aesthetic preferences, flamboyant dress and emotional baggage in the bright, sunlit gardens of Vaucluse House for this themed, 19th century picnic. Don your costume and bring along a prepared picnic basket — or, if this proves too logistically challenging, simply pre-order one from the House's tea rooms. Debut your most intimate poems or opt to listen to those of the masters, and apply your talents to sketch or paint the surrounds. The more sporting among you can test yourselves at a game of croquet, while those more leisurely may prefer to enjoy the strains of Beethoven and Schubert and perhaps a spot of conversation. And if you're historically curious, or simply seeking a mysterious corner, tours of the house will also be on offer.

Image by Daniel Boud.