ENGLISH Heritage has announced a spectacular, star-studded line-up for its 2011 Picnic Concert Series.

ENGLISH Heritage has announced a spectacular, star-studded line-up for its 2011 Picnic Concert Series.

A host of world class international and British artists including global superstars Tom Jones, Jools Holland with Sandie Shaw, James Blunt, George Benson, Gipsy Kings and Katherine Jenkins will all perform at the incredible events.

Scouting for Girls, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Saturdays, Bjorn Again and Bootleg Beatles, are also set to perform, with more names to be announced in the coming weeks.

Held in the stunning, sumptuous surrounds of Kenwood House, Hampstead and Audley End, Saffron Walden from June 24 until July 31, The English Heritage Picnic Concerts are arguably the most breath-taking musical experiences of the summer calendar.

With thousands of music lovers descending onto the expansive grounds with picnic blankets and hampers in hand, English Heritage Picnic Concerts supported by Monarch Airlines, are staged in the most beautiful and unique concert settings in the UK.

Audley End will take a step back in time when two of the most celebrated tribute groups Bjorn Again and Bootleg Beatles hit the stage on Saturday July 9.

London trio Scouting for Girls will perform on Saturday July 16, supported by gorgeous pop songstress Sophie Ellis Bextor.

Girl group The Saturdays will bring their poptastic flair to the Saffron Walden property on Saturday July 23 while Welsh songbird Katherine Jenkins will take the 2011 Picnic Concert series to a magical crescendo when she performs at the Last Night of Audley End Proms on Sunday July 31.

English Heritage Picnic Concerts are a true highlight of summer, uniting world-class music and breath-taking locations for a wonderful celebration of the British Picnic tradition.

Whether guests choose to bring their own picnics or enjoy the delicious pre-prepared picnic hampers by Carluccio’s, the Picnic Concerts allow guests to feast on some of the finest food and music in the most enchanting settings in the UK.

With both estates boasting rich musical histories – Kenwood House is home to Johannes Vermeer’s celebrated painting ‘The Guitar Player’ while Audley End was built for entertaining King James I, a strong campaigner for reforming and promoting the teaching of music - the sites are perfect locations for magical nights of incredible Alfresco entertainment.

The concert dates for the 2011 English Heritage Picnic Concerts are as follows:

Audley End

Saturday July 9 - Bjorn Again/ Bootleg Beatles

Saturday July 16 - Scouting for Girls with Sophie Ellis Bextor

Saturday July 23 - The Saturdays

Saturday July 30 - Tom Jones

Sunday July 31 - Last Night of Audley End Proms – Katherine Jenkins

Tickets and pre-booked picnic packages are on sale this Friday April 1

from picnicconcerts.com or 0844 847 1637.