Celebrate Christmas throughout the ages at Belsay Hall
With the festive season just around the corner, the magic of Christmas is coming to Belsay Hall in Northumberland from late November to mid December.
Whether people are looking for fun, food, festive ideas or a fabulous Christmas experience to entertain the whole family, a visit to Belsay Hall has something for all.
Visitors to Belsay Hall on Saturday November 24 and Sunday November 25 will meet Belsay’s resident Victorian Father Christmas, dressed in sumptuous traditional colourful costume.
Telling tales of Christmas past and reciting famous Christmas stories and poems, Father Christmas will bring festive cheer to everyone. Children will also have the chance of having their photo taken with Father Christmas.
Adults can enjoy the atmospheric surroundings as they shop for seasonal treats and sample special liqueurs and festive food.
On Saturday December 1 and Sunday December 2, visitors can meet Mr Adams – a butler from the Regency period who will give various presentations throughout the day about Christmas customs from his period.
Costumed Mr Adams is a mine of information about curious facts and interesting anecdotes of the festive season from times past.
Presentations will be indoors in the Hall at 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and people are advised to arrive early to guarantee a seat.
Georgian Christmas music will fill the Hall on Saturday December 8 and Sunday December 9. English Heritage’s costumed duo - Hautbois help festivities get under way. Their performance of advent hymns from the 18th century will evoke the “pomp and ceremony” and the atmosphere of a Georgian Christmas country house.
Using period instruments such as harps, fiddles and old pipes, the programme sets the scene for a warming Christmas celebration – Georgian style.
Jon Hogan, Events Manager for English Heritage said: “These events have something for all the family. I’d urge anyone visiting to meet Father Christmas, hear Mr Adam’s tales and enjoy festive music as well as exploring the wonderful gardens and hall itself. It’s the perfect way to get in the Christmas mood. With events spanning across late November and early December – the backdrop of the magnificent Hall at Belsay provides a stunning setting and create a seasonal atmosphere of times past.”
Situated in the heart of the picturesque Northumberland countryside, Belsay is renowned for its 30 acres of magnificent garden landscapes boasting original plantings dating back 200 years, formal terraces, stunning herbaceous borders and a wealth of natural treasures for all seasons. This includes the famous quarry gardens with their distinct micro-climate where rhododendrons can be found in bloom.
Once seen, never forgotten, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is one of the region’s top attractions and has something for everyone – a magical place with a fascinating history, spectacular buildings and colourful year-round gardens.
Belsay Hall is situated 14 miles North West of Newcastle upon Tyne, on the A696. Opening hours are 10am-4pm daily until 31 March when opening times will be extended.
For anyone attending the events, English Heritage advise people to wrap up warm.
Times for events are as follows:
- Victorian Father Christmas – Saturday November 24 and Sunday November 25, 11am to 4pm
- Regency Christmas Butler – Saturday December 1 and Sunday December 2, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm – arrive early to guarantee a seat
- Georgian Christmas Music – Saturday December 8 and Sunday December 9, 11am to 4pm
Admission costs for all events are £6.10 for adults, £4.60 for concessions and £3.10 for children, with a family ticket available priced at £15.30. English Heritage members go free.
For further information contact Belsay Hall on (01661) 881636.
For a full list of English Heritage sites, admission prices and opening times, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/properties
Email this to a friend