Festive fun in Shakespeare Country
Celebrate festive fun in Shakespeare Country with spectacular Christmas lights, carol concerts, festive markets, Christmas tales, craft fairs, candlelit ghost hunts, and a Royal Shakespeare Company performance of ‘Matilda, A Musical’. With so much on offer, Shakespeare Country offers all the components for a magical break this Christmas.
Christmas lights provide the perfect backdrop for festive shopping. The lights are switched on in Royal Leamington Spa on Sunday 21 November, in Stratford on Thursday 25 November and in Kenilworth on Friday 26 November. Visit Christmas Markets in Leamington held every Sunday from 21 November – 19 December and every Thursday in Stratford from 25 November – 23 December. The Warwick Victorian Christmas Evening with craft, charity and festive food stalls with traditional attractions takes place on Thursday 25 November when the Christmas lights are switched on in the town.
Running from 9 November - 30 January 2011 at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Courtyard Theatre is the world premiere of Matilda, A Musical, based on the well loved story by Roald Dahl. With music and lyrics by anarchic Australian comedian, Tim Minchin, a book by Dennis Kelly, and directed by Tony award-winning Matthew Warchus, this magical tale of a girl with mysterious powers is sure to be popular with adults and children alike. The Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres re-open late November. During the Christmas period visitors can enjoy the new Theatre Tower, go on a backstage tour, eat in the new Rooftop Restaurant and explore a new series of exhibitions throughout the building.
See Shakespeare’s Birthplace traditionally decorated and the table prepared for a Tudor Christmas feast from 25 November – 5 January 2011. Vote for your favourite artwork on display inspired by Shakespeare’s winter verses. See how Anne Hathaway’s Cottage would be dressed for Christmas during Tudor and Victorian times and find out about festive traditions from 1 December – 5 January 2011. On 16 December visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace for mince pies and mulled wine from 5pm – 9pm when the garden will be transformed into a winter wonderland with Tudor Players performing seasonal songs.
Warwick Castle provides the perfect backdrop for festive celebrations. Experience Dungeons after Dark from 1 – 23 December when plague ridden guests can travel back in time and experience some of Warwick Castle's most horrifying residents who are feeling anything but festive! Try the Winter Walk with a twist, with a fantastic 50ft helter-skelter and Victorian Side Show characters. Meet Santa and his Elf’s in the state rooms and marvel at the decorations in the Victorian House and Great Hall from 11 December – 2 January. The spectacular annual ‘Carols at the Castle’ takes place on Saturday 18 December.
Kenilworth Castle plays host to a number of festive weekends on 27 & 28 November and 4, 5, 11 & 12 December with Christmas tales in the Gatehouse, hands-on craft activities in the basement and a fun family trail around the castle. Enjoy ‘Carols at the Castle’ on Saturday 18 December hosted by the Kenilworth Lions - a sure fire way to get into the festive spirit!
Visit Blenheim Palace from 13 November – 12 December to see ‘Gulliver’s Travels – A Fairy Tale Christmas’ when the Palace will be decorated with magical displays depicting themes from the classic tale, Gulliver’s Travels. ‘Living Crafts for Christmas’ takes place from 19 - 21 November featuring 90 stalls showcasing the best of British produce including jewellery, ceramics, clothing, works of art and festive food - making it the perfect place to beat the crowds and pick up some beautiful and distinctive presents.
The Stratford Butterfly Farm is hosting a number of daily activities for children during the festive season. “Jungle Explorers” talks and handling sessions will take place with touchy feely creepy crawlies. In addition, children can delve their hands into ‘Sensation Boxes’ to guess what animal is inside, plus make a butterfly to go on top of the Christmas tree. With constant temperatures of over 25°C, the Stratford Butterfly Farm is the ideal place to escape the cold and entertain children this Christmas.
Wander around an exhibition on “Artists' Christmas Cards: Vintage designs from the 1930s to the 1950s” at Compton Verney from 20 November - 12 December. The exhibition features a festive display of artist-designed Christmas cards including cards by Enid Marx, which are in the art gallery’s collection. Enid Marx was well known for her designs for stamps, posters and seating fabric for London Transport in the post-war period. Enjoy a family Christmas weekend on 4 & 5 and 11 & 12 December listening to music and carols, join in festive storytelling and make Christmas cards, decorations and paper stars.
Ragley Hall will open its doors once again for its annual Christmas Market & Fayre on the 27 & 28 November featuring over 40 craft and gift stalls, including handmade jewellery, toys, cards and festive treats. Father Christmas will be meeting children by the fire in the Great Hall, with a present for every child. Plus there will be children's craft activities, Christmas storytelling in the Library and Carol singers entertaining visitors throughout the day.
Enjoy a winter feast of heart-warming stories at Hidcote Manor Gardens on 12 December. From legends of ice and magic to a feisty old Babushka, the stories are packed with joy and generosity, shining with the true spirit of Christmas. Take part in a Winter Ramble and Festive Feast on 4 December with Head Gardener, Glyn Jones. Learn the art of making two important parts of the Christmas celebration at a Christmas Pudding and Mincemeat Making Workshop on 4 & 5 November. Discover the fascinating history behind the classic dessert and festive mincemeat which adorns most Christmas tables.
Sulgrave Manor hosts its Christmas Market on 27 November with an opportunity to visit Father Christmas in his Winter Wonderland Grotto. See the Great Hall swathed in seasonal greenery, the Oak Parlour decorated with fruits and the festive table in the Kitchen. The Lord of the Manor and his Cook will tell stories of celebrations and festive frolics from bygone times on 12 December. Join in the ancient custom of wassailing at the Winter Wassail on 28 December and be entertained with tales of 12 days of feasting, frivolity and birds in a pie.
Treat yourself or someone you love to a weekend in the most iconic British sports car ever, a Jaguar E-Type roadster from The Open Road. The E-type was launched in 1961 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2011. Anyone buying a voucher as a Christmas present or for a birthday in 2011 can benefit from a 10% discount off a single day’s hire and 20% off a two day hire of the Jaguar E-Type, thus saving £72 for a 2 day hire. The offer is also available on the rest of the classic car hire fleet.
Looking for gift ideas, then purchase the brand new fun family game “Shakespeare Mystery Game” by Shakescene. Find out fascinating facts about Shakespeare and his plays. The game has been manufactured close to Shakespeare's birthplace and created by a local man with a passion to de-mystify Shakespeare and provide a taste of his extraordinary life and wonderful work. The game can be purchased exclusively online at: shakescene.com
Alternatively why not purchase Christmas vouchers for shooting and archery at Honesberie Shooting School, located on a 400 acre estate near Southam. With expert private tuition from Great Britain and England representative Nick Hollick, Honesberie provides first class clay and game shooting instruction. Clay traps are sited to simulate actual game shooting drives with over 35 different machines, including a High Tower and Grouse Sequence.
Children are in for a magical treat this Christmas when Father Christmas makes a special appearance at the Heritage Motor Centre on the 11 & 12 and 18 - 23 December. Children can meet Father Christmas and receive a special gift in his Grotto set amongst the collection of historic British cars. To make the experience extra special why not combine the visit with a family lunch or afternoon tea with Father Christmas. For every child who dreams about Father Christmas climbing down their chimney to fill their stockings, the chance to have an audience with Father Christmas himself will make their Christmas the best ever!
Find out if the spirit of Christmas past will make contact on a Christmas Mini-Ghost Hunt at The Falstaff Experience on 11 December. The evening includes a guest medium, ghost hunt and vigil, psychic workshops and refreshments, all within one of England's most haunted buildings. Alternatively take part in a chilling Christmas Eve Ghost Tour.
Meet Santa, his reindeer and the nativity animals as you hear the Christmas story at Hatton Country World on 27 & 28 November, 4, 5, 11, 12, 17 - 24 December. There’s a gift for every child plus festive arts and crafts, fun fair rides and children’s shows. Visit the Christmas Craft Fayre on 6 & 7 November for handcrafted gifts including ceramics, jewellery, artwork and woodcraft. Sample a host of free tastings from pates, wines, dips and nibbles to cakes and puddings at the Christmas Food Fayre on 13 & 14 November. Weekend Christmas shopping take place on 27 & 28 November, 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19 December with a Nativity show with live animals, free mulled punch, mince pies & carol singing.
Take part in a number of Christmas workshops at The National Herb Centre. Make a traditional wreath or an edible Christmas decoration at a workshop on 4 December or make edible Christmas decorations for your tree on 11 & 18 December. Children can get creative on cookies made by the bistro with a cookie decorating workshop on 21 December.
Attend a host of special services and concerts in the beautiful setting of Holy Trinity Church. The advent Carol service takes place on 28 November at 6pm. Christmas concerts take place on 4 & 18 December with Carol services on 16 & 24 December.
For accommodation, special offers and more information visit the official website: Shakespeare-Country.co.uk
