Festive fun in Shakespeare Country
Enjoy a whole host of festive activities in Shakespeare Country with spectacular Christmas lights, festive markets, traditional carols, candlelit tours, storytelling, craft fairs, wreath making workshops, ghost tours and a Royal Shakespeare Company performance of ‘The Mouse and His Child’. With so much on offer, Shakespeare Country offers all the magical ingredients for a short break this festive season.
Christmas lights provide the perfect backdrop for shopping. The lights are switched on in Royal Leamington Spa on 25 November, in Stratford on 22 November and in Kenilworth on 30 November. Visit Christmas Markets in Leamington every Sunday from 2 December and every Thursday and Sunday in Stratford from 25 November until Christmas. The popular Warwick Victorian Christmas Evening featuring craft stalls with traditional entertainment takes place on Thursday 29 November when the lights are switched on in town.
Enjoy a magical performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company which presents The Mouse and His Child from 17 November – 12 January 2013 and The Merry Wives of Windsor from 25 October – 12 January 2013. Both plays take place at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Mouse and His Child is a new adaptation based on the book by Russell Hoban about a clockwork mouse and his child discarded on Christmas day who embark on an epic journey in search of their home. The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare’s light-hearted comedy sees Anita Dobson making her RSC debut alongside RSC favourite Desmond Barrit as Falstaff.
The MAD Museum in Stratford is working in association with the RSC for the production of The Mouse and His Child. The Museum helped design the RSC reception hall displays to reflect the clockwork theme. From mid-November there will be an amazing moving bird-like sculpture which flies suspended on wires between two balconies overhead. In another area, the MAD spinning and twirling Whirlymagiggle Cart will be on display. The Museum is open every day for visitors to see more amazing machines and weird, whacky inventions!
See the Shakespeare Houses decorated for Christmas and discover more about festive traditions from Tudor to Victorian times from 1 December – 6 January 2013. Shop for hand-crafted gifts and wares from independent designers at the Hall’s Croft Christmas Fair on the 24 November. Find the six sneaky rats who have crept in to the Birthplace to warm themselves by the fire from 23 November – 6 January 2013 at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Follow the clues around Anne Hathaway’s Cottage to receive a “Christmas token” with the Christmas Kisses Treasure Trail from 23 November – 6 January 2013. Enjoy a true Christmas atmosphere with carols, festive songs, mulled wine, mince pies and readings from ‘A Christmas Carol’ to celebrate the bicentenary of Dickens’s birth at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage on the 1 December. Find out about Christmas presents in Tudor times and try the Tudor Yuletide quiz from 22 December – 6 January 2013 at Hall’s Croft. See how the Tudors celebrated Christmas and take home a Tudor recipe card from 22 December – 6 January 2013 at Nash’s House & New Place. See a condensed version of Twelfth Night performed by Shakespeare Aloud! from 5 – 6 January 2013 at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place and Hall’s Croft.
For a magical start to the Christmas season visit Hill Close Gardens on Saturday 1 December. Step back in time by following the winter garden trail around the candlelit summerhouses. Meet Father Christmas in his workshop. After dusk follow the fairy path to the nativity scene in the Children’s Garden. Listen to the Warwick Handbell Ringers playing carols and enjoy mince pies. Children can take part in handbell ringing, icing biscuits, making decorations and visits to Father Christmas plus see the nativity scene in the Kidzone garden. Other activities include a bottle Tombola, guess the weight of the Christmas cake competition and carol singing. Cost is £1 per adult & £3.50 per child including activities.
Feast your eyes on festive decorations at Warwick Castle including the 25 foot Christmas tree and a roaring fire all in the magnificent surrounding of the Great Hall. Enjoy Christmas Carols on Saturday 22 December with proceeds from the charity event being split between three local charities and good causes - the Warwick Lions, Rotary Club and Friends of St Mary’s Choir. Gates open at 6.45pm with the Carol Service at 7.30pm.
Embark on a Christmas family candlelit tour at the Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick on the 8 December from 4.30pm - 7.00pm with music, character actors and delicious hot chocolate! Tickets cost £10 for adults & £8 for those aged 6-16 yrs.
Take part in a special Christmas ghost tour at Kenilworth Castle on 7 December at 7pm and 8pm. Hear tales of dark deeds, ghostly apparitions and scary happenings from the ghosts of Christmas past. Ease yourself into the festive frenzy with Christmas storytelling in the dramatic setting of the Castle on 8 & 9 December. Tap your feet to the sounds of Christmas tunes from past to present on 15 & 16 December and join the talented performers on a musical journey through the ages. Get ready for Christmas with a wreath-making workshop on 30 November and learn about the different techniques used to make a wreath.
Enjoy fabulous festive weekends on 1 & 2, 8 & 9 & 15 & 16 December at Compton Verney. See a Tapestry exhibition including works by Graham Sutherland, David Hockney and Alan Davies plus take part in creative activities with the Stratford-upon-Avon Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. Weave a star decoration and make a Christmas character on a simple stick loom. Listen to music in the British Folk Art Gallery plus children can enjoy festive storytelling in an adventure with Compton Verney characters Connie and Verne!
Get into the spirit of Christmas on the 9 December with Yuletide celebrations at Sulgrave Manor near Banbury which will then re-open on the 27 December for a Winter Wassail. Wander around a Christmas Market on Saturday 24 November and find unusual presents including cards, books, woodturning, jewellery, pictures, glass, textile and knitted gifts, liqueurs, preserves and produce. Visit Father Christmas in his Winter Wonderland Grotto, relax with a glass of mulled wine and mince pie plus enjoy music from the Barrel Organ.
Make your own Christmas pudding to take home in the Victorian kitchen at St John’s Museum in Warwick on Sunday 25 November. Find out what we used to cook in the past and look at recipes from the archives. Cost is £6 (concessions £5). Purchase gifts from the contemporary Craft Fair on Sunday 9 December - a great chance to shop for unique handcrafted gifts for Christmas in festive and historical surroundings!
Take part in a competitive session racing against other drivers in the popular Grand Prix event at Mr Karting in Leamington Spa with practice and races for every driver and the top six contesting the Grand Final. There are trophies for the top three drivers and bubbly for the winner. Afterwards enjoy a curry in one of Warwick's award winning Indian restaurants.
Enjoy “An Evening with Michael Portillo” on Wednesday 12 December at the Stratford Civic Hall at 8pm. Politician, social commentator and BBC 2 Great Railway Journeys presenter, Michael Portillo will share his experiences, interests and many incredible stories in a fascinating evening. Plus he'll be signing copies of his Great Railway Journeys book which will make a great Christmas present! Tickets cost £18.50.
For accommodation, special offers and more information visit the official website: Shakespeare-Country.co.uk.
