Unmissable events
Theatre December 10 and 11 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s haunting Sherlock Holmes mystery performed by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company. 6.30pm–8.30pm, children £10, adults £16. Not suitable for children under the age of 12 (www.holkham.co.uk; 01328 713111)
December 15 No Man’s Land, NT Live, nationwide. Harold Pinter’s comic classic, starring Sir Ian Mckellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, will be broadcast live to cinemas around the country from Wyndham’s Theatre in London. Visit the website for venues and to book tickets (http://ntlive.national theatre.org.uk)
Workshop December 10 Festive Cocktail Masterclass, Corrigan’s Mayfair, Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1. Learn the tricks of the trade, the history of classic spirits, the best flavour combinations and how to match cocktails to food—everything you need to impress your guests this Christmas. 3pm–5pm, £55pp including cocktails and canapés (020–7499 9943; www.corrigansmayfair.co.uk)
December 12 and 13 Festive Floral Workshop, Ston Easton Park, near Bath, Somerset. Enjoy a demonstration and workshop with the expert in-house florists and leave with an arrangement fit for the grandest of country houses. £59.50pp including a two-course lunch with wine and refreshments. Overnight stays also available from £125 per room (www.stoneaston.co.uk; 01761 241631)
Shopping December 8 Farlows Christmas Open Day, Pall Mall, London SW1. Get expert advice on fly-casting gifts and shooting days, then sample English gin while your gifts are wrapped (020–7484 1000; www.farlows.co.uk)
December 10–11 Brighton Artists Open Houses, West Sussex. Take a break from the high street and do your Christmas shopping—from ceramics, jewellery and prints to wreaths, tree decorations and foodie gifts— in the warmth of local artists’ homes and studios. Includes 56 venues, ranging from Brighton and Hove up to Ditchling, featuring the works of 450 artists. Check online for locations and opening times (http://aoh.org.uk)
Exhibition Until December 24, ‘Dede Gold’, Sladmore Contemporary, Bruton Place, London W1. The Cotswoldbased Irish artist’s charming collection of canine portraits (above) (www.sladmorecontemporary.com; 020–7499 0365)
Auction December 8 Auction of Fine Modern & Antique Guns, Holt’s Auctioneers, Princess Louise House, Hammersmith Road, London W6. More than 900 lots including shotguns, rifles, edged weapons and associated sporting ephemera will be available at Holt’s last quarterly main sale of the year (01485 542822; www.holtsauctioneers.com) Onion water for cleaning white paint From ‘500 Household Hints by 500 Housewives’, published by in 1926. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of any advice given