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Traditional candlelit Christmas set to transform Holkham Hall

13th September 2013 Print
Holkham at Christmas

One of Norfolk's finest country houses will be hosting some traditional Christmas celebrations during December with a feast of seasonal entertainment planned, packed with festive spirit for everyone to enjoy.

Holkham Hall is set for a festive transformation when the magnificent state rooms will be bedecked with Christmas trees, handmade decorations and greenery from the park. With an enchanting backdrop of candlelight, visitors can enjoy an atmospheric glimpse of festive celebrations of times gone by.

The festivities begin with two weekends of seasonal entertainment on December 7 and 8 and December 14 and 15, when the magical splendour of the Marble Hall will set the scene with carol singing, music, bell-ringing and plenty of merry-making. Characters from Christmas past will join the celebrations and the pots and pans in the old kitchen will be bubbling with festive treats as a team of bustling cooks prepare the Christmas feast.

For younger visitors a walk through the snowy winter wonderland will lead them to a brand new magical grotto specially created in the Bygones Museum where they can meet Father Christmas and receive a gift which will heighten the anticipation of those to follow.

In the courtyard a selection of producers and traders will be offering unique gifts, handmade crafts and delicious food and drink, adding to the Gift Shop's extensive selection of gifts, there will be plenty of opportunity to find that special Christmas present.

Holkham is open for the Christmas Celebration weekends from 10am to 5pm each day (the hall opens at 11am, last entry 4pm).  Tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for children (2-16 yrs) or £45 for a family of two adults and two children and each child's ticket includes a visit to Father Christmas and a small gift.

A magical opportunity to see the state rooms lit by candlelight on special evening tours is available on selected weekday evenings when knowledgeable guides will be on hand to give an intriguing insight into the hall's preparations for Christmas in such an historic setting. Visitors will be able to admire the wonderful handmade decorations and room displays and learn about their creation.

The candlelit tours will take place from Wednesday to Friday, 11-13 and 18-20 December between 4 and 8pm lasting for approximately 45 minutes.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £10 for children, (not recommended for children under 8 years), and include a glass of wine in the Stables Café before or after the tour.

The final festive weekend features two days of entertaining Christmas theatre with two separate productions performed by the Baroque Theatre Company taking place on Saturday 21December and Sunday 22 December.

Each afternoon at 2pm there will be a performance of The Great Santa Kidnap which will delight young and old alike. The wicked goblins Sneergripe, Snottle and Bug are plotting to kidnap Santa Claus and hold him to ransom by tempting his reindeer with cabbage and cold porridge cakes.

On both evenings at 6.30pm the infamous, fictional detective Sherlock Holmes will take to the stage infused with the spirit of a crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge in this festive Victorian theatrical treat.  Theatregoers can expect an eccentric mixture of Dickens and Doyle and enjoy a cheery and hilarious journey with some of literature's best.

Tickets for each performance of the Christmas theatre are £16.50 for adults and£12.50 for children in the auditorium or £12.50/£8.50 in the gallery.

For further information on all the Holkham Christmas events, visit:
holkham.co.uk/html/ChristmasCelebrations2013.html

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Holkham at Christmas