Heritage weekend
From illuminated winter walks to wreath-making, enjoy traditional seasonal pastimes with our round-up of festive events and activities around the UK
Get into the Christmas spirit at these festive events and markets
As the aroma of roast chestnuts fills the air, ’tis the season to wrap up warm and make the most of the Christmas customs of old in Britain’s many historic houses, all decked out in the style of the period. Whether it be strolling through frost-covered winter gardens, marvelling at seasonal illuminations, visiting picturesque artisan markets selling handmade crafts, or partaking in creative craft workshops, immerse yourself in the yuletide spirit with a mulled wine in hand.
‘Christmas at Blenheim’
Woodstock, Oxfordshire 24 November 2017–1 January 2018 Blenheim Palace’s Formal Gardens light up for an after-dark trail of lights through the Capability Brown-landscaped parkland. Explore the scented Fire Garden adorned with lanterns, as well as a swaying lawn of fibre optic colour and sparkling hedgerows, a fairy-lit arbour and the lakeside boathouse, home to Santa’s grotto. With the lake aglow with boats and dancing fountain jets, and the ancient woodland springing to life in time to Christmas music, complete your winter stroll by toasting your own marshmallows and riding the vintage carousel before enjoying a spiced cider. Open 5pm-10pm. Admission: adult £16.50, child £10.50, family £13. Tel: 01993 810530; blenheimpalace.com
‘Oh Dickens! It’s Christmas’
Chatsworth, Derbyshire 11 November 2017–7 January 2018 Chatsworth gives the festive season a Victorian Gothic twist this year with a celebration of Charles Dickens’ best-loved works. Actors and guides in specially made period costume bring the theme to life in the fog and gaslight of Chatsworth’s grand rooms, filled with decorations as well as 25 real trees, evoking both the splendour and squalor of Dickensian London. You’ll discover items from Chatsworth’s own collections, such as letters from Dickens himself to the 6th Duke of Devonshire, and first editions of books including Little Dorrit and A Tale of Two Cities. Christmas at Chatsworth also includes a festive market in the grounds (17 November-5 December), wreath-making classes, and a farmyard nativity play. House and garden open from 10am-5.30pm except 24-26 December and 1 January. Farmyard and playground from 10.30am-5.30pm. Admission from: adult £20.90, child £13, family £59.60. Tel: 01246 565300; chatsworth.org
The Christmas Fair in the Cotswolds
Daylesford, near Kingham 6–8 November Now in its seventh year, The Christmas Fair at Daylesford in aid of Wellchild heralds the start of festive preparations in the Cotswolds. Featuring
some of the best of British design, find over 180 stalls selling unique home accessories, handmade jewellery, children’s toys, clothes and culinary treats, with 10 per cent of all sales going to the Wellchild charity supporting critically ill children. Admission: gala evening tickets, 6 November, 6pm-9.30pm, £35 for two or £20 each, advance booking only. Tuesday/wednesday, 7-8 November, 9.30am-4pm, £5 each in advance or £8 on the door. Tel: 0845 458 8171; cotswoldfair.com
Hayloft Christmas workshops
Knole, Kent 18 November–17 December Based in Knole’s beautifully restored 17th-century hayloft, find a programme of heritage workshops running over the festive period from the new learning centre. Get creative by making woodcut Christmas cards (18 November), wreaths (4-8 December ) or spangled baubles (16-17 December). Times vary for each activity. Admission: from £5£80. Tel: 0334 249 1895; nationaltrust.org.uk/knole
Dennis Severs’ House Installation
Spitalfields, London, 19 November 2017–4 January 2018 The Christmas Spirit returns to Dennis Severs’ House with its Annual Christmas Installation. Cross the threshold of 18 Folgate Street and travel back to the 18th century, where you’ll find an intimate insight into a family of Huguenot silkweavers. Wander the atmospheric chambers lit by candlelight and adorned in festive decorations, and take in the smells and seasonal sounds evocative of the age, from the kitchen where the pies and jellies are freshly baked, to the dining chamber. Admission from: adult £10, concession £5. 020 7247 4013; dennissevershouse.co.uk
All the Colours of Christmas
Mottisfont, Hampshire 25 November 2017–2 January 2018 Inspired by the vibrant Kaffe Fasset displays in the gallery, Mottisfont will be dressed with statement trees and dramatic flower arrangements, each room with a different colour theme, with artist installations and celebrations of natural winter colours outside. Open 10am–4pm. Admission: adult £13.60, child £6.80, family £34. Tel: 01794 340757; nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont
Enchanted
Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens, Northumberland; Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire; Osborne House, Isle of Wight; Eltham Palace and Gardens, London; Audley End House and Gardens, Essex; Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire 15–23 December Explore the grounds of six English Heritage properties after dark on an illuminated festive garden trail. Swathed in strings of lanterns and fairy lights, the trails will emerge into the scene of a traditional fairground, where you’ll find a carousel and swing boats as well as Christmas shopping at heritage-inspired stalls. Open 4pm-8.30pm (times vary for each venue). Admission from: adult £10, child £6, family £26. Tel: 0370 333 1181; english-heritage.org.uk
The Argory Christmas Fair
County Armagh 2-3 December The courtyard of this atmospheric Irish gentry house plays host to over 40 craft, food and gift stalls, stocking locally produced and festive goods from crafts to cider. Find a carousel and facepainting for the children, before heading inside to see the house dressed in traditional Victorian décor. Open 11.30am–5.30pm. Admission: adult £6, child £2.50, family £14.50. Tel: 028 8778 4753; nationaltrust.org.uk/the-argory
Victorian Christmas
Harewood House, Leeds 24 November–31 December For the first time in five years, Harewood House opens its doors for Christmas, its rooms dressed
Welbeck Winter Weekend
by Victoria set designer Michael Howells. Discover how the Victorians shaped the festive traditions of today, and be transported back in time to the Christmases of Harewood’s past. Below stairs, enjoy the sights and smells of the country house kitchens, and outside explore the award-winning gardens, usually closed during winter months. Open 10am-6pm (House and grounds closed 24-26 December). Admission: adult £16, child £8, family £43. Tel: 0113 218 1010; harewood.org Worksop, Nottinghamshire 24-26 November A traditional landed estate nestled within Sherwood Forest, Welbeck offers more than 100 artisan makers showcasing their wares at its Winter Weekend event. Take in The Harley Gallery for a carefully curated selection of 55 artists and craftspeople; the award-winning Welbeck Farm Shop for 30 stalls offering cheeses and chutneys to sweets and sloe gin; and for those looking to paint their own Christmas gifts and decorations, the Harley Pottery Studio will be running sessions to create personalised pieces. Open 10am-5pm (4pm Sunday). Admission: free. Tel: 01909 500211; welbeck.co.uk
Festive Selvedge Fair
Bloomsbury, London 2 December The perfect place to seek out a charming handmade gift and meet the talented people who made them, the Selvedge Fair brings together some of the UK’S finest makers and merchants, selling rare vintage fabrics, haberdashery and handmade textiles from the Victorian Grade I-listed setting of Mary Ward House. Make block-printed wrapping paper with Yateley Papers at one of the festive drop-in workshops, and for fair visitors who want to extend their day out, enjoy a guided walk in neighbouring Spitalfields with a free map. Open 11am-5pm. Admission, £5. Craft workshop, £12. Selvedge.org
Christmas cake decorating workshop
Sizergh, Cumbria 1, 8 & 15 December Try your hand at Christmas cake decorating at one of the special workshops at this beautiful medieval house. Spend the morning icing and decorating a fruit cake under award-winning baker Grace’s expert eye, then tuck into seasonal refreshments before taking your cake home to enjoy. 9.30am–12.30pm. Admission: adult £10.50, child £5.25, family £24.80, plus £39 for workshop, including lunch. Booking essential. Tel: 01539 560951; nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh
Waddesdon Manor
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire 11 November 2017–2 January 2018 Find an Enchanted Menagerie theme at Waddesdon this year, celebrating the weird and wonderful animals that can be seen throughout the Manor’s collections, as well as a new light and sound show, Waddesdon Imaginarium, which will be projected onto the Manor’s ornate façade. Visitors will be dazzled by roaming porcelain animals, clouds of butterflies and 18th-century portraits creating a fantastical visual story of Waddesdon. If seasonal shopping is what you’re after, find 80 decorated wooden chalets set against the backdrop of the floodlit Manor at Waddesdon’s Christmas Fair (5 November–10 December) for unique gifts, crafts and artisan produce. For tasty street food, homemade cakes, hot chocolate and mulled wine, head to The Wigwam Café, or treat yourself to Waddesdon’s festive afternoon tea in the Manor Restaurant. Open 11am-6pm (closed 24–26 December). Admission (house & grounds): adult £25, child £12.50, family £62.50. Tel: 01296 820414; waddesdon.org.uk
Christmas Traditions at Tredegar House
Newport, Wales 25 November– 17 December Travel through time at Tredegar to explore this traditionally decorated mansion house filled with music and merriment. Make a wish to hang on the wish tree, stir the Christmas pudding and make paperchains before heading to the Servants’ Hall for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Open 10.30am-4pm. Admission: adult £8.36, child £4.18, family £20.90. Tel: 01633 815880; nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house