A Christmas of magic, tradition and festive cheer at Kelmarsh Hall

Historic HousesEvents
Written By Lynne Dickens

Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens welcomes visitors this Christmas with a programme of festive events, including a traditional Christmas Fair, visits with Father Christmas, live ballet, seasonal tastings and an atmospheric Dickens recital.

A close up of painted wooden soldiers, a pottery chapel, mini Christmas trees on a wooden shelf

The Christmas season gets underway with the Kelmarsh Hall Christmas Fair, taking place from 26 to 29 November. Visitors can explore the beautifully decorated rooms of the historic country house, with a selection of artisan and independent stallholders offering unique gifts and festive decorations, local produce, handmade crafts and seasonal treats.

Away from the stalls, visitors can enjoy festive music and entertainment, seasonal food and drink, and explore a Victorian Christmas in the basement. Families can also take part in the Elf Trail, with the chance to win a Kelmarsh season ticket.

There will be plenty to discover, including artisan and independent stallholders, festive food and seasonal drinks, a beautifully decorated Hall and Victorian Christmas, and an Elf Trail for children.

Meet Father Christmas at Kelmarsh Hall – 28 and 29 November

The festive programme continues on 28 and 29 November as Father Christmas makes a special visit to Kelmarsh Hall.

Children can meet Father Christmas in the historic Library, share their Christmas wishes and receive a festive gift to take home. The experience also includes entry to the Christmas Fair on the day.

Experience Christmas at Kelmarsh Hall – 1 and 2 December

On 1 and 2 December, visitors can step inside Kelmarsh Hall and discover the house beautifully dressed for Christmas.

Visitors can wander through the ground-floor and first-floor rooms, as well as the historic servants’ quarters, all decorated for the season. They can then step back in time and discover a Victorian Christmas in the Old Beer Cellar, bringing the traditions and atmosphere of Christmas past to life.

The visit includes tea or coffee and a mince pie in the Ballroom. The gift shop will also be open, offering a selection of seasonal gifts.

Natural wreath-making workshop – 1 and 3 December

A natural wreath-making workshop will take place in the Saloon at Kelmarsh Hall on Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 December.

Using fresh foliage gathered from the Kelmarsh gardens, participants can create their own seasonal wreath using natural materials from the Estate. Decorations and materials are included, with guidance and tuition from the Kelmarsh Garden Team.

Wine glasses and cheese and fruit platters on a dining table with a Christmas tree next to it

Image ©Kelmarsh Hall

Wine and cheese tasting with Duncan Murray – 3 December

Wine expert Duncan Murray will host a special evening of wine and cheese at Kelmarsh Hall on 3 December.

Guests will be welcomed with fizz in the Great Hall before taking their seats in the Saloon for a guided tasting. The event begins with arrival from 7pm and is for adults only.

The Nutcracker Experience – Sunday 6 December

On Sunday 6 December, Kelmarsh Hall will host The Nutcracker Experience, bringing the much-loved Christmas story to life throughout the decorated house.

Visitors will wander through the rooms of the Hall, discovering three live ballet performances featuring scenes from the classic Christmas tale. The experience combines live dance, music and storytelling with the setting of the historic house.

There are four performance times throughout the day: 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

A Christmas Carol – Sunday 13 December

The Christmas programme continues on Sunday 13 December with an atmospheric recital of A Christmas Carol, performed by actor Fin Tyson in the candlelit surroundings of Kelmarsh Hall.

The performance takes inspiration from Charles Dickens’ own abridged version of the story, used during his reading tour of the UK in 1860. It will tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the spirits of Christmas and his redemption.

A festive drink and mince pie are included on arrival. The recital is a faithful telling of Dickens’ original ghost story and may not be suitable for very young children.

An aerial shot of Kelmarsh Hall with snow settled on the ground

Image ©Kelmarsh Hall

Christmas carols at Kelmarsh Hall – Wednesday 16 December

The festive programme concludes with an evening of Christmas carols and festive songs at Kelmarsh Hall on Wednesday 16 December, performed by the Rugby and Market Harborough Magic Voices Choir.

The evening begins in the Great Hall, where guests can enjoy a glass of festive punch, mulled cider, tea or coffee and a mince pie beside the open fire.

Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the decorated rooms before enjoying a performance from the choir, featuring much-loved Christmas favourites and opportunities to join in.

Also joining the festive programme is Forest of Secrets, an immersive nighttime adventure running from 31 October to 2 January. Families can follow a lantern-lit trail through an enchanted forest featuring light, sound, storytelling and interactive experiences.

For more information about the Christmas events, including event details, tickets and visitor information, visit the Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens website at www.kelmarsh.com or follow Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens on social media.

Lynne Dickens

Lynne is currently a part-time freelance website designer and marketer. Formerly trading full-time as Spot On Creative is a Northants-based creative team who have the hard-earned skills, expertise and industry knowledge that only come from having worked for years in advertising. It was all managed by Lynne Dickens who has over 20 years’ experience in marketing communications, and ten years in website design and build, and creative team project management.

Lynne is also a qualified art historian and has some expertise in curating fine art exhibitions and producing all of the catalogues, posters and supporting material to create a successful event.

All the guys in the team have worked for one-man bands, SMEs and large blue-chip multinationals in just about every sector, field and industry. Collectively, we can come up with great ideas, superb design and copy, and exceptional photography for anything from websites to email campaigns, branding to brochures – and everything in between.

And the beauty of Spot On Creative is that we’re big in creativity, experience and knowledge, but small in overheads and invoices. So we’re a much more sensible and affordable option for you than a larger advertising agency or marketing company.

Previous

Scarecrows, spooks and stories: autumn arrives at Delapré Abbey
Next

Document workshops run by the Northamptonshire Record Society