If you think getting your own festive decorations down from the loft is a chore, spare a thought for the people dressing up Yorkshire’s grand houses. Beth Windsor went behind the scenes to see what it takes to create a stately home Christmas
Some of the 30,000 baubles used to decorate Castle Howard. Image: Charlotte Graham
Castle Howard, York
Whether you love it or loathe it, dragging the Christmas decorations out of the loft in the hopes you put them away in an orderly fashion is a necessary part of the festive season. As you fight with the tangled-up lights, spare a thought for the team at Castle Howard who have the mammoth task of dressing this 18th century stately home for the annual showstopping Christmas extravaganza.
30,000 thousand baubles . . . that’s right, is the number of baubles within the walls of Castle Howard at Christmas. And 3,000 are on the main tree alone. It’s an overwhelming thought even for the most organised amongst us. And the man responsible for this colossus collection is Adrian Lillie, the creative director of CLW Event Design, who scours the country with Charlotte Lloyd Webber in search of festive finds.
It’s a whimsical, wonderful world where you start to see the creative minds of Adrian’s team come to life. Throughout the ancient corridors lie trinkets and treasures, toadstools and teacups all waiting patiently to be put in their rightful places. The major construction happens offsite as the creative team start to build and assemble large parts of the project in the summer months. Decorations are then divided up into boxes and placed within the assigned rooms where volunteers are directed on assembly. It’s a big task, but somehow it gets done. And everyone’s just so jolly. One thing is for certain, each piece, no matter how small plays a part in this magical masterpiece.
This year you’re invited to tumble down the rabbit hole for a very important date! Alice has been busy planning a huge Christmas party at the castle full of fanciful, festive wonder. Follow the White Rabbit through Castle Howard’s grand halls and regal rooms as things get curiouser and curiouser on this topsy turvy journey into a Christmassy wonderland like no other.
There are surprises around every corner as you encounter Alice’s friends, from the Mad Hatter to the giant Caterpillar, as they prepare for the party of the century. Top off this magical experience with a Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea or book into the brand-new grown-ups only secret dining room, The Chess Club, for Wonderland-themed cocktails and sharing platters.
Until January 5
castlehoward.co.uk
Abbi is part of the core team responsible for organising Christmas at Castle Howard. ‘There isn’t a day we don’t talk about Christmas as we’re always planning’, she says. Over the years, she’s seen the visitors grow from 32,000 visitors in 2017 to a whopping 90,000 who flocked to see last year’s Narnia theme. Making up a third of their annual visitors, she knows all too well the importance of keeping the bar high.
Abbi explains. ‘the money goes directly back into the restoration and activation of Castle Howard. So, at the moment, we’re restoring a whole room that was burnt out in the fire of 1940 which has been a shell. And there’s quite a lot of spaces in Castle Howard that need that kind of restoration, but Christmas is such a significant factor in being able to fund that restoration. So, it has to have a really creative, imaginative, joyous purpose, just to bring absolute delight as a visitor experience to multi-generational families, and it also has a really crucial part to play in the whole kind of purpose of Castle Howard, which is to keep the building alive, to be enjoyed by future generations.’
Looking to get into floristry, Laura volunteered with CLW Creative in 2017 when they first began working with Castle Howard. Now the owner of Belle Blooms Florist in York, she’s brought in every year to lead all things floral.
Laura begins to weave her flowery magic from August when she starts to build the large floral displays for the grand fireplaces before bringing them over to the house in November to assemble. This year, she’s most excited about the turquoise room – ‘it’s completely bonkers – I’ve really enjoyed making the mantle because it’s just a different sort of shape and colour scheme than we usually go for, obviously using the eco-friendly range as well’.
This is Veronika’s fourth Christmas helping the team set up whilst also continuing her duties as a house guide during the festive period. She loves, ‘the camaraderie of it all – you get all these people who are experts in their own field coming together. We work with everyone from florists to sound people. We’re volunteers, but of course everyone has a backstory and a skill within the house.’
Working as a specialist teacher for 45 years she loves to see visitors interacting with the ‘touch boxes’ that the team have introduced. ‘In there there are some examples of the baubles and the decorations on the trees for the children to touch,’ she says gleefully. ‘The bonus was, we found that for a lot of people with dementia, it’s become a starting point for them to be able to recall stories. It’s just been amazing.’
Harewood House, Leeds
Stworld of mischief and magic this Christmas as Harewood presents ‘Mischief at the Mansion’ where the stories of the House are brought to life through an enchantingly festive world of light spectacles, surprises, and a sprinkling of cheekiness. Expect mischief afoot with decorative angels coming to life as they escape from the Music Room’s Christmas tree and pop up unexpectedly throughout the House. Cakes in the Servants’ Hall banter gleefully about their beauty pageant bake-off, and Queen Victoria’s bust reminisces about her time at Harewood. Don’t miss the quirky conversation between the busts of Queen Victoria and Prime Minister George Canning. Projected with their faces, the busts reveal fascinating stories including how Queen Victoria slept in the State Bedroom as a young princess. This is all part of a magical makeover by the internationally celebrated artists – Studio McGuire.
Studio McGuire worked with curator Rebecca Burton to research and uncover more anecdotes about the House and its people throughout its 250-year history. Scriptwriter Christina Lewis then developed the characters and scripts adding a new layer to the festive visitor’s experience. Lighting projection, storytelling and music will then be used to bring unforgettable cheeky characters, objects and artworks to life.
Until January 5
harewood.org
Treasurer’s House, York
Expect surprises around every corner at Treasurer’s House this year as the unique history of the house is brought to life through its decorations. Visitor experience officer at Treasurer’s House, Rebecca Allott, has spent the last four years designing and making Christmas come alive here, along with a dedicated team of volunteers. Ensuring that history and festivities intertwine, she explains how they ‘like to try and tell stories of the house that we don’t get to tell throughout the year. So, this year we’re looking at the people around Frank Green who was the last private owner of the house.’
The twenty foot Christmas tree in the Great Hall will be getting a little twist this year as the team have taken inspiration from when ‘Frank Green pulled the whole house apart and knocked down two floors to create our Great Hall, so we have slightly unusual decorations of stone and wood and bricks and wallpaper in there,’ explains Rebecca. Also sharing the stories of those who served the house, expect great romance in the from of 500 flowers and uncover the tale of a life-saving legacy.
Little ones need to make sure they keep a look out for the felted mice characters hidden amongst the collection, and don’t leave without sampling the team’s famous Christmas Pudding Scone in the café.
Until December 18 (Sat-Weds)
nationaltrust.org.uk
Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…’ So begins the much-loved children’s Christmas poem, A Visit From St Nicholas, composed in 1822. But at Wentworth Woodhouse, plenty has been stirring for over 10 months in readiness for its home-spun festive event inspired by the magical story. Toy soldiers stand to attention, mice don their festive finery, and the gingerbread men are giddy to greet their guests. A snowstorm has transformed the State Corridor, six feet of stockings hang by the chimneys, and a Victorian feast is to be found as you venture further into the story. But more wonder awaits you in the mansion’s famed Marble Saloon where a giant Nordic sleigh will stand in a moonlit forest beneath a starry sky where families can climb aboard for a fun festive selfie. There will also be a spectacular Light Trail transforming a new route through the West Front gardens into a magical display of twinkling lights.
December 4-29 (excluding Mondays and holidays)
wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
Lotherton Hall, Leeds
Seasonal sensations Santa and Mrs Claus are dusting off their suits and boots to take up residence alongside their mischievous elves in The Christmas Experience at Lotherton. Decked in its elegant Edwardian finery, trails of snow-filled paths and twinkling lights will welcome and delight families. Immerse yourself in yuletide wonder and joy through interactive installations. Seek out some Christmas cheer as you embark on adventures with fairies, elves and Father Christmas himself in a winter wonderland. Brave the journey to a snow-filled North Pole and be rewarded with an audience with the big man himself as Santa’s helpers hand out special presents. Watch out for the mischievous elves in the enchanting Elf Village where little ones can delight in Christmas crafts and storytelling with Mrs Claus. There’s a magic show in the Yuletide Yurts, festive tipples for big kids, and plenty of marshmallows to toast around the fire pit. Don’t leave without venturing on the mesmerising woodland walk around the Estate’s stunning grounds to discover Christmas traditions of past and present.
November 23-January 5
thechristmasexpereince.co.uk
Nostell, Wakefield
Collections and House Manager Louise Ayres organises and oversees the decorating of the house and decided ‘it was about time to get back to basics with a traditional Christmas.’ The fires will be lit, seasonal music will be playing, and the trees will be twinkling with pretty lights. Taking two weeks to get ready with an eco-friendly stock of decorations that are designed to last twenty years, be sure to visit the exquisite Dolls’ House, decked with Christmas decorations and follow the sweet smell of gingerbread to discover Nostell’s finest gingerbread village. Don’t leave without exploring the family trail to see if you can find all of the Twelve Days of Christmas spread throughout the house and grounds
December 2 – January 5
nationaltrust.org.uk
Burton Agnes Hall, Driffield
Venture inside this traditional Norman Manor House for a truly memorable Christmas. Brought to life through original, handmade decorations, experience festivities of times gone by and see the rooms filled with merriment. Many of these creations have been crafted from flowers and foliage cropped and dried from the walled garden. Keep an eye out for a handmade felt snowman doll hidden in each room by the Cunliffe-Lister children. When dusk falls, Christmas cheer comes alive with twinkling lights and fireplaces glowing warmly. Step outside to journey through a trail of giant, hand-carved and painted candy canes as they guide visitors through a magical woodland strewn with lights. Revel in the late-night opening on December 12 with carols and mulled wine.
Until December 23
burtonagnes.com
Brodsworth Hall, Doncaster
Catch a glimpse of Victorian life at this ‘conserved as found’ country house which allows visitors to experience it as it really was. Christmas really comes alive on weekends at Brodsworth Hall with a whole host of festive activities on offer. Father Christmas will be taking time out of his busy schedule to tell some of his favourite seasonal stories around the Christmas tree. Enjoy a festive take on a Twelfth Night performance as musicians play seasonal songs. As an extra special treat, join the gardening team on select dates to create a festive wreath using all natural materials from the gardens. Tuck into a tasty treat and hot drink while you work.
November 30 – December
english-heritage.org.uk
Sledmere House
Journey through frozen landscapes and deep forests to find Santa’s hidden kingdom in The First Snowflake. A series of enchanting characters played by actors from the Rusticus Theatre Company will guide visitors through a magical far-off land of silver bells and icy mists to wake the First Snowflake from her winter slumber. Mischievous elves have left a series of clues to help you on your way, but the one thing that will grant you an audience with Santa once you find him in his Grotto is a whole host of Christmas cheer. Claim your reward at the Elf Toy Shop before partaking in some festive games and activities in the Christmas village. Jump aboard the tinsel tractor to spot Santa’s reindeer amongst the estate’s very own herd of red deer. Book a ‘relaxed session’ with reduced capacity to help make the experience a little calmer for anyone with sensory issues.
Various dates throughout December
sledmerehouse.com
