Nottinghamshire Christmas Highlights 2018 – Part One

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

And you’re sure to find something of interest in Nottinghamshire over the festive season, whether for a family, travelling solo, if you’re a foodie or just to find the perfect present.

You can take a look at everything that’s taking place in the What’s On section but we’ve cherry-picked a few highlights below and in a second blog to come. (PS – I’ve deliberately not included the Winter Wonderland as we all know about that!)

Christmas at Nottingham Castle | From 2 December

Visit the Christmas shop in the gatehouse of Nottingham Castle and sample festive fayre in the café – and get one of the best landscape views in the city – Santa himself has taken up residence in the bastion…

Follow a Christmas trail around the museum and galleries, then as night falls on 3rd and 10th December, collect your lantern at the gate and hear the castle’s intriguing history. Wander the grounds and descend into the caves by candlelight, warming up with some festive refreshments afterwards. For more information click here…

Christmas at Newstead Abbey | From 25th November

Lord Byron’s ancestral home Newstead Abbey will be transformed for Christmas, sparkling with 25 decorated trees and festive room sets. You can even have a go at decorating one of the trees yourself or pick up some decorations in the gift shop.

The Victorian kitchen will also be open for the first time at Christmas, recreating the sights, sounds and smells of a busy Victorian-era kitchen preparing for a festive feast.

Into December you can meet the ghosts of Christmases past and be cheered by traditional carols too. For more information click here…

The Welbeck Winter Weekend at The Welbeck Estate | 24th – 26th November

Over 100 artists, craftspeople and artisan food suppliers selling a range of art, food and gifts will be residing in the newly landscaped courtyard, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Farm Shop, Harley Studios and the Victorian Kitchen Gardens.

Explore The Harley Gallery’s 15 artist studios – home to a range of designers and artists, as well as two critically acclaimed art galleries. Not normally open to the public, this is a unique opportunity to find out more from the artists and craftspeople working in the Harley studios, from ceramists and textile designers to florists and jewellers.

The Welbeck Winter Weekend is free to park and enter. Opening at 10am each day, the event runs until 5pm on the Friday and Saturday, and closes at 4pm on the Sunday.

Winterfest Arts and Crafts Fair at Thoresby Courtyard Riding Hall and Gallery | 25th – 26th November

Struggling to find the perfect gift for that special someone? The Winterfest Arts & Crafts Fair brings together local crafters and artists selling a range of handmade goods such as ceramics, prints, jewellery, crafted wooden items and children’s clothing.

Set in the beautiful Victorian Riding Hall at Thoresby Courtyard, admission throughout the weekend is free, and includes family entertainment. It’s open both days from 10am until 4pm.

A Dickensian Christmas at The Framework Knitters Museum | 2nd December

Celebrate the coming of Christmas Dickensian style!

Toast teacakes and chestnuts round an open fire, enjoy traditional carols around the Christmas tree, and watch as the Maids of Clifton perform their own unique style of Morris dancing at The Framework Knitter’s Museum’s  Dickensian Christmas!

There will also be craft stalls in the chapel (which will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland), barrel organ music – and much more!

Refreshments will be available throughout the day, including mulled wine and the museum’s very own ale, Frame Breaker, brewed by charitable partner, Nottingham Brewery. For more information click here…

Keep an eye out for further December highlights soon and look up more events in our What’s On section!