Category: News

Celebrate the magic of Christmas in traditional style with Compton Verney’s packed programme of festive delights.  

There’s so much to see and do on a visit to Compton Verney this festive period, from beautiful and powerful art indoors to a stroll in the glorious grounds. The magic of the Capability Brown landscape in Winter with a crisp frost, a sprinkling of snow or even on the murkiest of grey days is something to behold. Soak up the traditional atmosphere and elegant festive décor in our chapel while you sit back and enjoy some fantastic music.

Central to the seasonal charm are eight, large bedecked Christmas trees with twinkly lights and welcoming visitors as they enter the grand house and explore the treasures within.

The famous exterior of Compton Verney will again be transformed into an artistic Advent Calendar. Artists from Warwickshire have been invited to adorn 24 windows with their own festive designs.

For youngsters, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the one, the only, Father Christmas. Despite his super-busy schedule in the build-up to ‘The Big One’, Compton Verney is delighted that Santa will take time out from his preparations to make a very special visit to Warwickshire. His most artistic elves have created an exquisite Santa’s Grotto in the ground floor of the house, to offer a very warm welcome to little ones, assisted by Mother Christmas.

To help the kids burn off some more energy, they can follow the Reindeer Trail, which runs throughout the grounds. Know your Monet’s from your Morag Myerscough. The large wooden reindeer will be richly decorated in the style of contemporary and classical artists. Can you find all nine of Santa’s faithful reindeer friends in their fresh new colours?

Among the 120-acres of park, you’ll also find an adventure playground and in the Old Town Meadow, artist Morag Myerscough’s fascinating and very bright installation, The Village. It is designed to disrupt and draw attention to the landscape, in which the original medieval village of Compton Murdak once stood.

To help make it a complete family day out, a Christmas Gift Market runs between 9th-11th December) and there’s two days of Christmas concerts on 17th & 21st December in the spectacular surroundings of the Chapel and Adam Hall to put you in the festive mood.

This year, Compton Verney’s boutique Christmas Gift Market will be curated by Natasha Goodfellow of Beautiful & Useful – a boutique fair of leading designer-makers held in inspiring settings around the country. It is a fabulous opportunity to buy gorgeous festive gifts, from some of Britain’s best artisans and artists working in ceramics, wood, willow, metalwork and more. Housed in a large, striped big top on the lawn, this is also a great chance to escape busy High Streets and crowded shopping centres, meet the makers, browse and shop in a relaxed setting.

To complete the festive feel, the Gift Market will be supported by live music from some amazing local and community choirs and brass bands playing traditional carols and music.

Refreshments will be available, with seasonally themed hot chocolate sure to be popular, while Digbeth Dining Club will be bringing some of the West Midlands’ finest street food chefs and producers to feed your passion for great cooking. With a contact book that contains Michelin-starred chefs and Masterchef finalists, you never know who might be cooking up a storm at Compton Verney.

Music, like mince pies and turkey with all the trimmings is an essential and integral part of the celebrations. Classic Carols in the Chapel with The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir will take place on Saturday, 17th December.

On Wednesday 21st December, Compton Verney presents special abridged performances of The Nutcracker and The Snowman from the incredible ensemble, Toscana Strings and talented former Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist, Laura Tye in the beautiful Adam Hall. Sit back and enjoy some fantastic music in truly captivating locations.

And the Festive Afternoon Teas – in the grand setting of the Adam Hall – are a great way to bring everyone together – available on selected dates between 10th and 23rd December.

In the galleries, there are two exhibitions to wander through – Reena Kallat: Common Grounds is a powerful, compelling tapestry of themes, while Dutch Flowers showcases a selection of the finest examples of this still life genre from the National Gallery’s collection.

Compton Verney Commercial Director Bernadette O’Sullivan said “Compton Verney is a magical place throughout the year but even more so at Christmas. Come and enjoy this special time and create new memories with your family and friends.”

For more information about Christmas at Compton Verney, including ticket sales and availability, plus current and forthcoming events, exhibitions and activities, visit www.comptonverney.org.uk Booking is highly recommended.

Dates and Times:

Father Christmas

Friday 9th, Saturday 10th, Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th, Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd December. Timed slots are available throughout the day. Priced at £25 per child, with £10 admission for non-member adults. No admission fee for member adults.

Christmas Fair Weekend

Friday 9th December: 10.30am – 8pm, Saturday 10th December: 10.30am – 8pm, Sunday 11th December: 10.30-4. Priced at £10 per person for non-member adults. (There is a small, additional cost to visit the exhibitions in the main house.)

Music Concerts

Classic Carols in the Chapel with The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir, Saturday 17 December: Performances at 1pm and 3pm, Priced at £28 per adult member and £18 for non-member adults. Children £10.

The Snowman and The Nutcracker by Toscana Strings with ballet performed by Laura Tye, Adam Hall, Wednesday 21st December The Nutcracker; 12pm and 4pm, The Snowman 2pm.Performances last 45 minutes. Non-member Adult £25, Member Adult £15, Child £12

Festive Afternoon Teas

Saturday 10th, Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th and Friday 23rd December, with 1.30pm and 3.30pm sittings. Priced at £34.95 per person (non-member) and £24.95 per person (member) Children £12.

Intrepid team members from Birmingham building services provider J S Wright have raised more than £4,200 for their adopted charity, Molly Ollys after completing an epic challenge in the Lake District.

Twenty-six staff and three suppliers tested their fitness, commitment and determination by taking part in the Lakes Triple Challenge in aid of the Warwick-based charity which cares for children with life-threatening illnesses.

They cycled through the trails of Grizedale forest, trekked to the summit of the 803-metre-high Old Man of Coniston and kayaked across Coniston Water, one of the UK’s largest lakes, covering more than 24 miles over an eight-hour period.

J S Wright Director and Team Leader David Cook said: “This was an incredible achievement after our staff and suppliers endured a day of testing and gruelling challenges. We were all proud of our efforts for such a great charity.”

David added: “Thanks go to all those who made donations – and it isn’t too late to donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jswrightmollyollyswishes.”

Molly Ollys provides emotional and financial support to children throughout the UK with life-threatening illnesses. The charity is in its tenth year and has helped more than 16,000 children – through delivering wishes and its therapeutic toy lion, Olly The Brave – over the time it has been going.

Rachel Ollerenshaw, Co-founder of Molly Ollys, commented: “The J S Wright team is made of tough stuff! Each wish we do for a child is around 3500 so from this particular fundraiser, they have raised enough for us to do eight wishes for eight children facing terrifying health challenges – we can’t thank them enough.”

Staff from J S Wright and its sister company Wright Maintenance have now raised more than £6,200 for their chosen charity this year from events including a sponsored football match, a one million steps marathon, a virtual walk to the company’s London office, and a dress down day before the Jubilee Weekend.

Established in Birmingham in 1890 and based on Portland Street in Aston, J S Wright designs, manufactures, and installs mechanical and electrical services for the hotel, residential, social housing, student accommodation, leisure, and commercial sectors. Wright Maintenance, its sister company, provides a facilities maintenance service.

The company was named as Construction Services Employer of the Year in the 2020 BAME Apprenticeship Awards and is signed up to the Chartered Institute of Building’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter.