Winter Diary
Christmas isn’t cancelled! There are still events happening across the nation this season – and some tempting online offerings, too . . .
NOVEMBER
AID WORKERS: ETHICS UNDER FIRE
Exploring the ongoing refugee crisis, this exhibition focuses on the situations humanitarians face when helping those forced to flee. Covers conflicts in South Sudan, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Until 31 May 21. Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ. iwm.org.uk
WELLBEING EXPERIENCE
Pick up your free booklet before setting off on a trail through the Heligan Gardens, Jungle and Estate. By connecting with nature and autumn’s fleeting beauty, this walk is sure to leave you feeling good. Throughout Nov. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6EN. 01726 845100; heligan.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
This relatively new cultural centre complete with library, theatre and cinema was opened by HM the Queen and the Duchess of Sussex in 2018. The show will go on in a socially distanced auditorium and promises plenty of song and laughter.
7 Nov-17 Jan 21. Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR. 01244 409113; storyhouse.com
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
If you can’t make your usual service due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Royal British Legion’s website lists new ideas for marking the day, from holding a garden service to creating artwork to hang in the window.
8 Nov. Nationwide. britishlegion. org.uk/get-involved/remembrance
FOOD AND DRINK FORTNIGHT Celebrating the producers of the
New Forest who make cheese, fudge, honey and even ale, take your pick from the special menus offered by the local pubs, restaurants and tea rooms. 16-29 Nov. New Forest, Hampshire. thenewforest.co.uk
BATH MOZARTFEST
String quartets, piano trios and a musical ensemble await. The festival may be reduced in size to allow for safety measures, but it’ll still fit the bill if you’ve been craving live music. 18-21 Nov. Bath Assembly Rooms, Bath, Somerset BA1 2QH. 01225 463362; bathmozartfest.org.uk
BAGS: INSIDE OUT
From rucksacks to despatch boxes, Birkin bags to Louis Vuitton luggage, this is an exploration of history, style, design and craftsmanship.
21 Nov-12 Sep 21. Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL. 020 7942 2000; vam.ac.uk
CHRISTMAS AT WOLLATON
A 2 km (1¼ mile) light trail will light up the grounds and deer park of Wollaton Hall for the first time this year, and there’ll be mulled wine and roast chestnuts for sustenance.
27 Nov-6 Jan. Wollaton Park, Wollaton, Nottingham NG8 2AE. christmasatwollaton.org
HERTFORD CASTLE MARKET For the first time in the castle’s history, its grounds will be filled with stalls displaying homeware, crafts, jewellery and festive food and drink. 27-29 Nov. Hertford Castle, Castle Street, SG14 1HR. 01992 552885; hertford.gov.uk
WISH UPON A FROZEN STAR This epic light and sound extravaganza will be the work of world-class, award-winning illuminated projection specialists The Projection Studio.
28 Nov-31 Dec. Castle Howard Estate, York YO60 7DA. castlehoward.co.uk
DECEMBER
IN THE BEGINNING
Watch as Sheffield Cathedral is transformed with an array of lights and digital images telling the story of Christmas. Inside, you’ll find a forest of fir trees, each decorated for charity. 1-6 Dec. Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, Sheffield S1 1HA. 0114 275 3434; sheffieldcathedral.org
DRIVE-IN CINEMA
Enjoy a trip to the movies from the comfort of your own car and support those affected by cancer through this charitable weekend of festive film.
5-6 Dec. Robin Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 2NU. 023 8067 2200; wessexcancer.org.uk
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
Sure to entertain youngsters, this immersive theatrical experience takes place in Beamish Hall’s Enchanted Woodland, filled with illuminations, musical displays, interactive props, projections and performers.
5-20 Dec. Beamish Hall Hotel, Coppy Lane, Beamish, Stanley, County Durham DH9 0YB. 01207 233733; beamish-hall.co.uk
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEONS Hauled by a classic steam locomotive, tuck into a traditional Christmas feast while chugging through the spectacular Purbeck countryside.
5-23 Dec. Swanage Railway, Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB. 01929 425800; swanagerailway.co.uk
FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA Roasted vegetable tarts, turkey and stuffing finger sandwiches and mini Christmas puds . . . the people behind the Dorothy Clive Garden do food just as well as flowers.
13-15 Dec. Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 4EU. 01630 647237; dorothyclivegarden.co.uk
ILLUMINATED ARBORETUM With a new route for 2020, follow the kaleidoscope of colour through the gardens and woodlands and enjoy the majesty of the arboretum at night. 9-19 Dec. National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR. 01283 245 100; thenma.org.uk
CAROLS AT THE HALL Considered one of London’s finest carol concerts, this year the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cooke, will be accompanying the “voice of Jupiter” – the Albert Hall’s 9,999-pipe organ.
20-23 Dec. Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London
SW7 2AP. royalalberthall.com
FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
As we go to press, members of the public won’t be able to attend the world-famous service this year. The next best thing is listening live on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service at 3pm on Christmas Eve. 24 Dec. kings.cam.ac.uk
JANUARY
NEW YEAR’S DAY PARADE Scheduled to go ahead as planned, this joyful live event reached a TV audience of 300 million in 2019 and, since its inception, has raised over
£1.5 million for London charities.
1 Jan, 12 noon. Route begins on Piccadilly. 020 3275 0190; lnydp.com
WHITLEY BAY DIP
Last New Year saw an estimated 300 people take to the bracing North Sea waters, with some travelling as far as Northern Ireland to take part!
1 Jan. Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
WINTER ON THE WEB
ROYAL ALBERT HOME Make the most of these exclusive and intimate sessions recorded in artists’ homes while the Hall was closed. Free to watch. royalalberthall.com/about-thehall/royal-albert-home
GLOBE PLAYER
Rent or buy your pick of the Globe’s live productions from
A Midsummer Night’s Dream to
The Winter’s Tale. globeplayer.tv
BFI PLAYER
From classics such as Casablanca
to recent box-office breakthroughs such as Parasite, there’s lots to while away a cold rainy day here and you’ll be supporting the BFI while you’re at it. player.bfi.org.uk
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Search the museum’s online curated collections which cover fascinating topics such as Desire, Love and Identity, from ancient history to the present day. Visitors to the website can now enjoy nearly 4.5 million objects, and with cutting-edge zoom technology you can see them in unprecedented detail, too. britishmuseum.org
RAYMONDA
It’s England in 1853 and Raymonda runs away from her comfortable life to become a nurse in the Crimean
War. Inspired by Florence
Nightingale, Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, presents a new version of the classic story.
7-16 Jan. London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES. 020 7836 0111; londoncoliseum.org
TWELFTH NIGHT CELEBRATION
Beginning near Shakespeare’s Globe on Bankside and continuing to the historic George Inn, Southwark, this procession includes a mummers’ play, wassail and an appearance from the Holly Man. Organised by professional acting troupe The Lions Part, whose current patron is Sir Mark Rylance.
Date TBC. Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT. thelionspart.co.uk
AI: MORE THAN HUMAN Bursting with immersive artworks, this unprecedented exhibition studies the relationship between humans and technology, offering a thrilling glimpse into the future.
22 Jan-20 Jun 21. World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 8EN. 0151 4784393; liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/worldmuseum
FEBRUARY
DARK SKIES FESTIVALS
Head to the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales or the South Downs National Parks for a spot of stargazing. The theme for 2021 is nocturnal wildlife and lots of events are set to be announced.
12-28 Feb 21. darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk
EXPLORER QUEST
Get younger members of the family solving puzzles and clues in the great outdoors as you follow this exciting trail around the magnificent grounds of Osborne.
13-21 Feb 21. Osborne House, York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle Of Wight PO32 6JT. 0370 3331181; english-heritage.org.uk
OLNEY PANCAKE RACE
Cheer on the ladies of Olney as they take part in this tradition which dates back to 1445.
16 Feb 21. Olney, Buckinghamshire. olneypancakerace.org
KESWICK FILM FESTIVAL From box-office hits to little-known premieres, this festival offers an intriguing weekend of film.
Feb, exact dates TBC. Alhambra Cinema, St John Street, Keswick CA12 5AG. keswickfilmclub.org
LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL
Considered the home of British comedy, this festival celebrates both established comedians and new talent. Made up of hundreds of events across multiple venues, it’s been attracting big names since it was founded in 1994.
3-21 Feb. comedy-festival.co.uk