Christmas past and present with English Heritage

Christmas comes but once a year – so why not make the most of it by starting your celebrations early with English Heritage? Leave behind the crowded high streets to take advantage of English Heritage’s special Shopping Weekends and uncover a treasure trove of unusual gift ideas. Once you’ve got everything on your list, there’s still plenty of time to admire your stunning surroundings, indulge in a mince pie or two and join the rest of your family for a variety of seasonal tunes, tales and fun.

Equally, visitors could find themselves travelling through the ages, meeting a variety of characters from Christmas past, from a Tudor courtier to a Victorian Santa. Whether you’re marvelling at the festive falconry event or admiring the hustle and bustle of the Victorian servants as they prepare for a traditional Christmas, one thing’s for sure, it’s certain to get all the family bidding a hearty ‘Bah’ to ‘Humbug’!

NATIONWIDE

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WEEKENDS
On Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, save 10% in English Heritage Gift Shops at one of the many Christmas Shopping Weekends. Each shop has a range of unique gifts, with something for everyone from toys and games for children (including fancy-dress outfits for would-be princesses and pirates!), to books for history lovers and traditional jams and preserves for food-fanatics. There is also the chance to indulge in a bit of festive fare and fun; while children enjoy the challenge of spotting reindeer models hiding around the property adults can try some tempting festive treats in the coffee shop. (Activities and facilities vary site to site.)

Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire. From 10am
Prices: Adults £5.00/ Concessions £4.00/ Children £2.50/ Family Ticket £12.50/ English Heritage Members: Free

St Mawes Castle, Cornwall
Prices: Adults £4.00/ Concessions £3.20/ Children £2.00/ English Heritage Members: Free

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
Prices: Adults £4.70/ Concessions £3.80/ Children £2.40/ Family Ticket £11.80/ English Heritage Members: Free

Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.40/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80/ English Heritage Members: Free

Old Sarum, Wiltshire
Prices: Adults £3.00/ Concessions £2.40/ Children £1.50/ English Heritage Members: Free

Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire
Prices: Adults £5.00/ Concessions £4.00/ Children £2.50 / Family Ticket £12.50/ English Heritage Members: Free

Witley Court, Worcestershire
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.40/ Children £2.80 / Family Ticket £13.80/ English Heritage Members: Free

Stokesay Castle, Shropshire
Prices: Adults £5.00/ Concessions £4.00/ Children £2.50 / Family Ticket £12.50/
English Heritage Members: Free

Eltham Palace, London (Sunday 30th November only)
Prices: Adults £8.20/ Concessions £6.60/ Children £4.10 / Family Ticket £20.50/ English Heritage Members: Free

Prices are for admission only and do not include events held at the site

NORTH OF ENGLAND

MEDIEVAL FESTIVE FALCONRY - THE HUNT FOR CHRISTMAS
Helmsley Castle, North Yorkshire
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November, from 11am
Witness spectacular aerial displays of birds of prey in flight and travel back in time to discover Christmas medieval style with our costumed falconers. If the weather is favourable Helmsey also offers the perfect spot for a wonderful winter walk, just be sure to wrap up warm!
Prices: Adult £5.00 / Concession £4.00 / Child £2.50 / Family £12.50
English Heritage Members: Free

VICTORIAN FATHER CHRISTMAS
Clifford’s Tower, North Yorkshire
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, 11am – 4pm
Indulge in the memories of past traditons and delight the little ones with a visit to Santa Claus this Christmas. Our Victorian Father Christmas will keep younger visitors mesmorised with his tales, stories and poems while adults enjoy seasonal treats with liqueur and food tastings.
Prices: Adult £3.00 / Concession £2.40 / Child £1.50 / Family £7.50
English Heritage Members: Free

SOUTH WEST

FESTIVE FALCONRY AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WEEKEND
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, 10am – 4pm
Witness Christmas medieval style! Watch spectacular aerial displays of birds of prey and learn how they helped to supply the food for banquet. Travel back in time and discover traditions of the past with our costumed falconers. There’s also an opportunity for adults to bag a bargain in the gift shop with 10% off!
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concession £4.40/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
English Heritage Members: Free

CHRISTMAS TALES
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December, 11am-4pm
With fireside tales for all ages join our resident costumed storyteller who will be bringing the myths and legends of Cornish Christmas past to life this December. Children can also wear off some of that festive excitement seeking out the playful mini model reindeer that are hiding around the castle.
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.40. Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
English Heritage Members: Free

NADELIK
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Sunday 14 December, 11am – 4pm
Join us at Pendennis Castle to celebrate Christmas the Cornish way. Visitors can expect a truly Cornish welcome as we embrace all of the best traditions and trimmings from Christmas past with mince pies, mulled wine, Christmas lights, carol singers and fireside tales; this event couldn’t fail to make even scrooge smile!
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.40/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
English Heritage Members: Free

LONDON / EAST OF ENGLAND
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT ELTHAM PALACE
Eltham Palace, London (Sunday 30th November only)
Relish the spirit of Christmas in the delightful Art Deco setting of Eltham Palace! Enjoy buying those special gifts with a special 10% shop discount and taste some festive fayre. And the little ones are not forgotten as they can enjoy seeking out playful reindeer hiding around the site.
Prices: Adults £8.20/ Concessions £6.60/ Children £4.10 / Family Ticket £20.50/ English Heritage Members: Free

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS AND GIFTS
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 November, 11am - 4pm
We’ve got Christmas wrapped up early this year! If you’re looking for stocking fillers, festive treats or a present for someone special, come and browse through the crafts, gifts and goodies in the marquees on the lawn. The newly restored service wing will also be open where you can watch the servants prepare for a traditional Victorian Christmas.
Prices: Adult £7.50/ Concession £6.00/ Child £3.80
English Heritage Members: Adult £3.00/ Concession £2.25/ Child £1.25

FESTIVE FUN
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, 11am – 4pm
Get into the Christmas spirit this winter and go back in time! Delight in authentic Victorian Christmas sights and smells as you watch the servants preparing for Christmas, take home tips from the gardener on making traditonal decorations, and explore the house and grounds on a Christmas trail. There’s even a costumed story teller to regale you with tales of Christmas past.
Prices: Adult £7.50/ Concession £6.00/ Child £3.80/ Family Ticket £18.80
English Heritage Members: Free

SOUTH EAST

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
Osborne House, Isle of Wight
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November, 10am – 4pm
Experience the spirit of a traditional Victorian Christmas. Delight in magic and illusion at the side-shows and marvel at the travelling theatre. Enjoy carol singing and shopping for festive gifts in a wintry scene. Pre-booking recommended – Tel: 0870 333 1183.
Prices: Adults £11.50/ Concessions £9.20/ Children £5.80. Family Ticket £28.80
English Heritage Members: Adults £1.50/ Concessions £1.20/ Children £0.80/ Family Ticket £3.80

A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS
Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November, 10am – 4pm
Delve into history and explore medieval festive traditions by joining our costumed performers and medieval band. Learn about the rituals of bygone days and listen to music from the middle ages. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal food in our café and a chance to start your Christmas shopping.
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children £3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free

A TUDOR CHRISTMAS
Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, 10am – 4pm
Enjoy music and seasonal stories as you discover how the Tudors celebrated this festive time of year. The gift shop is stuffed full of gift ideas offering the opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early. Once you’ve shopped till you drop take time out to relax and indulge in festive fancies and seasonal fare in our café.
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children £3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS QUEST
Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7; Saturday 13 & Sunday 14; Saturday 20 & Sunday 21; Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 December, 10am – 4pm
Children of all ages and those just young at heart will love this chance to discover and explore! Locate the clues as you adventure around the very site that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. Can you crack the clues? Don’t forget to claim your prize when you do!
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children £3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS QUEST
Dover Castle, Kent
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7; Saturday 13 & Sunday 14; Saturday 20 & Sunday 21; Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 December, 10am – 4pm
Children and those young at heart will love this chance to discover and explore! Locate the clues as you adventure around this fascinating and historically rich castle. Can you crack the clues? Don’t forget to claim your prize when you do!
Prices: Adults £10.30/ Concessions £8.20/ Children £5.20/ Family Ticket £25.80
English Heritage Members: Free

MIDLANDS

CHRISTMAS FUN
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, 11am – 4pm
While grown ups are buying exclusive English Heritage Christmas gifts at a special 10% discount, kids can have fun with Christmas story telling and seek out our reindeer who are hiding around the site. Also enjoy musical performances throughout the day.
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free

KNIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November, 10am – 4pm
Join us for a festive weekend with a difference! Take part in crafts and quizzes for children, learn all about Medieval weapons and watch in awe as The Order of Fighting Knights perform at the castle. Plus, take advantage of the 10% discount in the shop as you buy your Christmas gifts.
English Heritage Members: Free

FESTIVE MUSIC AND FALCONRY
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December, 11am – 4pm
Witness Christmas medieval style! Watch spectacular aerial displays of birds of prey and learn how they helped to supply the food for banquet. Travel back in time and discover traditions of the past with our costumed falconers. There’s also an opportunity to enjoy music and dancing with our colourful minstrels Nonimus!
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free

CHRISTMAS AT KENILWORTH
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 December, 11am – 4pm
Bring the whole family to be entertained by Wyndebagge’s wonderful ‘Warmer Winter’ Christmas Show. Packed with tales, tunes and laughter for children of all ages to enjoy, the show is a celebration of the history of this favourite festive season.
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free

For more information, log on to English-heritage.co.uk.