Imagine a balmy summer's evening, with the sun slowly setting behind a perfectly manicured garden and a 13th century castle a stone's throw away.

Then imagine you're there picnicking on a springy lawn, drinking a glass of refreshing bubbly, and awaiting an evening's entertainment.

This is the gem that is the Festival Theatre at Hever Castle, which has been going for 36 years and which, to my shame, I only discovered in the flesh for the first time last night.

We were there to see BGT winner Lost Voice Guy, Lee Ridley, and support act, BGT semi finalist, Jonny Awsum, which is one of a range of theatrical, musical, comedy and children's shows being staged during the festival this summer.

I had seen pictures of the setting, which includes an open air stage covered on both sides, with seating arranged in tiers at the back so everyone gets a good view.

But it's not until you're there that you can appreciate just how beautiful it is. Even the hard-to-please 14-year-old I was with had to concede it was lovely.

When Jonny Awsum stepped out on stage, he spent some time reminding us how great his fellow BGT star Lost Voice Guy was going to be. But as it turned out, he needn't have been self-effacing about his own talents. He may have started as the support, but he ended his set as the star.

He got us all laughing pretty much non-stop, and not just because he got game for a laugh Sevenoaks Mayor Nicholas Busvine - though we were all soon calling him "Nick" - on stage (there's no hiding from the spotlight when your mayoral chain is glinting in the sunlight).

We were also soon on our feet, singing, clapping and dancing... and taking selfies with the stage. It was a jolly first half.

In the second half, Lost Voice Guy delved into his iPad for gags which reminded us how he became BGT winner. His set was, as expected, humorous and refreshingly non-PC, starting off at a quick pace, with music and gags, and even at times when we all wanted to feel sorry for him, he reminded us not to. My only criticism was it felt like the set was just a little bit long.

The evening was topped off by the fact that the expected race and wait to get out of the car park, did not materialise. Bravo, Hever.

* The line-up this summer includes history and gardening talks, children's shows, comedy and music. Jeremy Vine on Saturday, August 24, Last Night of the Hever Proms on Sunday, August 25, and Lee Mead, on Saturday, July 27. Comedian Zoe Lyons will be supported by newcomer Lauren Pattison on Saturday, August 10. Family shows include The Wimpy Kid Show on Wednesday, August 7, Elmer the Elephant, presented in association with the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival on Thursday, July 25 and Immersion Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland on Thursday, August 1.

Author Alison Weir talks on Monday, August 19 and on Wednesday, August 28, will be Tom Coward, head gardener at Gravetye Manor in Sussex.

Music includes The Jive Aces on Sunday, August 18; the Simon & Garfunkel Story on Friday, August 9, Whitney: Queen of the Night on Friday, August 23; Ronnie Scott’s All Stars on Sunday, August 11, and closing the Festival will be Lee Memphis King, One Night of Elvis on Friday, August 30.

To book tickets go to heverfestival.co.uk or call the box office during normal office hours on 01732 866114.

Read more: All the latest stage and entertainments news across Kent