As the legendary home behind so many tales of Gentleman Jack, Shibden Hall is world-famous for the rich role it has played in history.

Now, its parks and gardens are to take centre-stage for a celebration to shine a light on music in this corner of Calderdale.

A huge four-day outdoor concert series is launched for this summer, with musical performances and major names and with theatre, classical music and brass.

And as it prepares to open its gates to between 3,000 and 5,000 people each day, organisers say this is to be something quite special.

"We want to recognise that Calderdale is the borough of music," said Pamhidzai Broodie, creative industries development manager at Calderdale Council.

"We want to show the best of what we do, and also with some really well known names. It's going to be something very different - this is for everybody to really enjoy."

Shibden Hall, home to the former diarist Anne Lister, is now a global destination for her fans and those of the BBC drama later filmed here as Gentleman Jack.

Now, following the district's year of CultureDale in 2024, the council aims to capture that legacy as it continues to grow.

Brassed off Live at the Royal Albert Hall. Part of the line up for the Stage at the Lake event Programme. Credit: Grimethorpe Colliery Band

This also marks a "birthday party" for Shibden Park, said Ms Broodie, honouring 100 years since the park was given to the people of Calderdale in October 1926.

Stage at the Lake, as a four-day event, will run from August 13-16 with a different strand for each day, under theatre or grassroots music, classical or brass.

The opening day will see family friendly events from the likes of Mr Bloom from Cbeebies. But on the night time, it will be musical legends that light up the stage.

This is bringing a taste of West End, both new and loved, to Calderdale, suggested Ms Broodie, and among those on board are musical director Matt Loughran who worked on Elf and Phantom of the Opera, and Laura Pick who played Elphaba in Wicked.

The Friday will see a focus on grassroots, celebrating talent and as a platform for the region, before a turn to comedy with some of the "best known" names nationwide.

Saturday will see Proms on the Lake, with English Chamber Orchestra, promising something "very new" for Calderdale and with hints of some strong links to history.

Finally, marking 30 years since Brassed Off was filmed in the district, there are to be special screenings, panel discussions, and performances from the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

A free community gardening festival is also to see micro-spaces created in the grounds of Shibden Park as Calderdale seeks to be designated an Unesco Biosphere site.

Seeds of Hope, working with the world body, opens up the gardens to the public for a trail to complete, and with gardeners sought to craft their own spaces.

The project is funded with a series of grants available from West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) shining a light on natural links and the landscape and environment.

"We are doing something different here," said Ms Broodie. "This is championing that we are a real borough of music, and of different kinds and styles of music as well.”