CHRISTMAS is declared at Compton Verney in the shape of its new Winter Festival.
Running throughout December, the line up of events at the 120 acres of stunning parkland and lake and award-winning art gallery, includes Santa’s woodland grotto, carol concerts, enchanting late evenings, complete with a fabulous gift market, music, entertainment, and delicious seasonal food to further put you in the festive mood!
SANTA’S MAGICAL WOODLAND GROTTO
Selected dates throughout December
Bring the kids to meet Father Christmas* in his magical woodland grotto by following a wondrous trail lit with firefly fairy lights. There are surprises around every corner and plenty to delight the senses, from the sound of a crackling fire to the wonderful smell of freshly baked gingerbread. When you meet Santa, make sure to tell him what you’d REALLY like for Christmas but don’t forget to post a letter in our special post box, just to remind him! Before he whizzes off to prepare for his epic journey, delivering presents around the world, we’ve asked him to bring some early gifts for our little visitors to take home, ready to open on the Big Day.
AFTERNOON LUXURY FESTIVE TEAS
10, 11 and 17, 18 December, at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm
Relax in the glorious surroundings of the Adam Hall in the main house and enjoy suitably festive-themed menu of finger sandwiches, warm scones with preserves and clotted cream, festive savouries and pastries and delicious seasonal treats.
FESTIVE LATES
9, 10, 11 and 16, 17, 18 December, 6pm – 9pm
Swap the crush of the High Street for the delightful sights, smells and sounds of Christmas emanating from hand-selected stalls, including awar-d winning small batch rum and gin, handmade Belgian chocolates and bakery presents, succulents with cacti planted in unique and quirky planters and children’s personalised plates in solid oak. The gallery’s Gift Shop will also be open, offering a wide range of home and fashion gifts, plus lots of lovely stocking fillers. When you’re completely shopped out, take a break and indulge yourself with a glass of mulled wine, or a piping hot cup of hot chocolate, while nibbling on warm mince pies and other tasty treats. Warm-up at one of the fire pits and enjoy an amazing, relaxed atmosphere complete with music and entertainment.
JEWELLERY WORKSHOP with ELIN HORGAN
20 November, 11am – 1.30pm
Create a truly unique present by designing a ring, pendant or necklace in wax, which will then be sent to London’s famous Hatton Garden, for casting in silver. Your piece will be hand finished according to your specifications and sent back to you just two weeks later in a beautifully packaged gift box, with plenty of time to give that very special person in your life the most amazing gift.
WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP with JOANNE HARRIS
30 November and 5 December, 10am – 12.30pm
These fun and inspiring workshops are totally hands-on! You’ll learn the traditional method of making a Christmas wreath with seasonal spruce, natural materials and foliage. Finished off with a range of dried fruit, cones and berries your creation is sure to be admired by all your guests and neighbours over the festive period.
CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT with the ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE
10 December, 2pm – 4pm
Christmas carols are one of the festive season’s true essentials and hearing the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir, directed by Paul Spicer, perform in the splendours of Compton Verney’s ‘Capability’ Brown chapel promises to be heavenly.
STORYTELLING with MOTHER CHRISTMAS
12 and 19 December, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Snuggle down with Mother Christmas to enjoy an hour of specially chosen, interactive Christmas stories.
TOSCANA STRINGS CHRISTMAS STORIES
11 & 18 December
A series of mini-concerts performed by the multi-award-winning all-female string quintet, Toscana Strings. They will be accompanied by ballerina Laura Tye, who has danced with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, to create an original, beautiful and not to be missed combination of live classical music, performance and storytelling, based on two classic family favourites, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman.
For more about the Winter Festival, including ticket prices and availability, plus other events, exhibitions, and activities, visit www.comptonverney.org.uk
