A THOMAS HARDY CHRISTMAS

A carol service inspired by its most famous local leads the festivities in a new show about Mapperton House

Her TV series An American Aristocrat’s Guide Togreatestates earlier this year gave us access to the priceless treasures, aristocratic inhabitants and best-kept secrets of some of Britain’s most impressive piles. Now Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, the chatelaine of Mapperton House in Dorset, is back ontvwi than ew twopart series. last week’s Welcome To Mapperton centred on the history of the estate, while this week’s Christmas At Mapperton focuses on British and American festive traditions. ‘Christmas is when these historic houses feel so magical,’ says Julie, who was born in Illinois. ‘For me it’s not Christmas until we have a tree. Many Americans get theirs from pop-up lots, but here it’ s more work a si got oaf arm to pick one and chop it down.’

The programme, which was filmed last year, shows the family preparing for their carol service and the annual Christmas party for guests from the local community. ‘As much as I’m ensconced in the British aristocracy, it’s important to me to incorporate my festive traditions ,’ she says. ‘So I served an American speciality, eggnog, which was originally a hot milky drink, with ale, figs and eggs called posset, from medieval Britain.’

Mapperton is surrounded by the stunning Dorset countryside that captured the imagination of author Thomas Hardy. His 1872 novel Under The Greenwood Tree is a festive favourite, as it tells of the carol singing of the Mellstock parish choir. they’ d start at midnight on Christmas Eve, and go around in the small hours to remind the farmers and villagers that it was Christmas morning. At Christmas Hardy’sspirit lives on as carols from the book are sung out in pubs and halls across the county.

‘Our service is a chance to share Mapperton with our local community, and that, to me, is what Christmas is all about,’ says Julie. ‘It will be different this year, but the pandemic has solidified that community even more.’

Lisa Sewards Christmas At Mapperton is on Tuesday at 8pm on the Smithsonian Channel.

Mapperton House and (below) Julie