The Lenches Amphitheatre

SWAP Architects, Evesham, 2024

 

XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_South-C89A0052_Ian_Tustin_UPLOAD 

    Download Original

  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_South-C89A0052_Ian_Tustin_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_East-C89A0106_Ian_Tustin_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_East-C89A0030_Ian_Tustin_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_West-IMG_5711_Danai_Sage_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_South-C89A0087_Ian_Tustin_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Amptheatre_Looking_North-IMG_5665_Danai_Sage_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_AA_Amptheatre_Looking_South-The_Lenches_Amphitheatre_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_AA_Amptheatre_Looking_South-Illyria_on_Stage_at_The_Lenches_Amphitheatre_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_AA_Amptheatre_Aerial-ALUJ3602_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_Pavilon_Detail-C89A0012_Ian_Tustin_UPLOAD    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_20034_250109_SWAP_Open_Air_Theatre_AJ_Small_Projects_2025_08-09    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_20034_250109_SWAP_Open_Air_Theatre_AJ_Small_Projects_2025_10-11    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_20034_250109_SWAP_Open_Air_Theatre_AJ_Small_Projects_2025_14-15    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_20034_250109_SWAP_Open_Air_Theatre_AJ_Small_Projects_2025_12-13    
  • XDMIULIYP2MM50P_20034_250109_SWAP_Open_Air_Theatre_AJ_Small_Projects_2025_06-07    

The Lenches Amphitheatre is a 250-seat outdoor venue in the Vale of Evesham, created as a community hub for celebrating sports and performing arts.

Positioned alongside the existing cricket pitch at The Club, the amphitheatre moulds itself into the natural curves of the land, creating a large, but intimate, gathering space with an organic and sculptural form that wraps the centre stage. The adjacent pavilion provides much-needed amenities for the sports club, including store rooms for landscape equipment and machinery downstairs, and changing rooms, and a green room for the theatre on the upper level. The architecture is crafted around the use of donated materials and local club vernacular, with a wraparound balcony that provides a viewing platform for theatre and cricket alike, creating a lively, multigenerational facility. The project stands as a testament to the power of community-driven design. From inception to completion, local contributions played a pivotal role. Skilled professionals offered their services for free, and with generous donations, such as 45,000 bricks from Jewson and the provision of other free and/or discounted materials, and sponsorships. Local businesses lent their support with equipment, storage, and labour, and with additional personal sponsorship, the project was elevated beyond its £95,000 grant budget to match its stunning rural setting. With tireless efforts from the community, successful fundraising campaigns, and vital support from the Wychavon Community Legacy Grant, The Lenches Amphitheatre now stands as a beacon of collaboration and creativity. It is not merely a venue but a cherished symbol of what can be achieved when a community unites to enrich its cultural and recreational life. Annual CO2 emissions data is not provided, the project was not required to complete a carbon emissions assessment under the scope of its development and delivery.

Data

  • Begun: Jun 2022
  • Completed: Dec 2024
  • Floor area: 173m2
  • Sector: Arts and culture
  • Total cost: £235,000
  • Funding: Private
  • Procurement: JCT design and build 2016
  • Address: Evesham, WR11 4UQ, United Kingdom

Professional Team