Christmas Houses & Tours by Candlelight
Christmas is a wonderful time for groups especially with so many great ideas available for a day out and to get you and your members and friends into the festive spirit.
One popular theme is for groups to visit a heritage house especially with so many of the UK heritage properties steeped in centuries-old history turn their yuletide attentions to capture the essence of what Christmas would have been like in days gone by. For groups and their members, it is chance to imagine taking a step back in time to sample a traditional Christmas from different periods and centuries past.
In North East England, the iconic Northumberland coastal fortress of Bamburgh Castle’s celebrated Christmas Kingdom returns with a new festive theme inspired by Enchanted Myths and Legends of Northumbria.
Opening to the public on Saturday 11th November and running until Sunday 7th January 2024, this year’s festive interpretation promises to be their most dazzling Christmas experience yet as its staterooms will become the backdrop for what has become the region’s largest indoor Christmas experience. Other events at Bamburgh Castle’s Christmas Kingdom include Christmas Wreath Making, carol singing, festive treats and mulled wine in the castle’s café and Christmas shopping.
Heading down to the Midlands, groups are invited to explore Tudor-Inspired festive traditions at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. The family home of William Shakespeare is opening its doors exclusively for groups in November for a series of special after hours Christmas-themed, candlelit tours of the historic house.
Visitors are offered a fascinating glimpse into Shakespearian Christmas and how it was celebrated in the late 16th century as Shakespeare’s Birthplace will be adorned with traditional decorations including greenery garlands of ivy and holly, which will remain in place until Twelfth Night. Having been greeted with a warming welcome drink of mulled wine in the Famous Beyond Words exhibition, visitors will carry no-heat digital candles on their tour of the timber-framed building escorted by costumed guides who will recount stories and provide a fascinating insight about festive traditions of the Tudor period and the history of the
building.
In the South of England, the beautiful surroundings of Beaulieu will be celebrating Christmas in style. Palace House will be beautifully decorated with a Christmas tree in every room, with log fires, Christmas crafts for young and old alike and piano music all adding to the yuletide atmosphere. On the 10th and 11th December, there’s chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas whilst he visits.
Beaulieu Abbey will be the stunning setting for open-air performances of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, performed by the London Touring Players on selected dates from 16th December to 2nd January 2023.
Penshurst Place and Gardens in Kent will be getting into the festive spirit with a panto-style performance called The Elf Who Lost His Voice, from 2nd to 22nd December 2023.
Join them in the fully-decorated 14th century Baron’s Hall and watch their elf as he tries to find his voice in time for Christmas Day, with plentiful panto-style hijinks along the way.
Various bookable performances on 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd December with a choice of performances on each day, plus a photo opportunity with Father Christmas afterwards.
In South West England the first weekend in December brings a very special annual event to the medieval village of Dunster in Somerset. Dunster by Candlelight is a weekend when the village steps back in time with a true festival atmosphere in its streets that will be full of lights and flickering candlelight.
