Lanterns light the way for Christmas

Staff and volunteers at National Trust places across Cheshire are busy putting the final touches to some sparkling Christmas events!

Choose from carol singing to Christmas craft workshops, a lantern procession or a stroll around the UK’s largest winter garden – not to mention  mince pies, mulled wine, meeting up with Father Christmas and the chance to help decorate fantastic places and spaces such as Lyme and Little Moreton Hall for the festive season.

Here’s a selection of what’s happening where to get you started….

Lyme, Nr Disley, Stockport
Lantern Procession & lighting the Christmas Tree: Sat 28 November, 2pm – 5pm

Welcome in the festive season by coming along to make your own paper lantern at Lyme. We’ll fit it with an LED light and you can join our lantern procession wending its way from Lyme Hall down to the Timber Yard where we’ll be turning on the lights of our huge Christmas tree.

Each weekend starting on Saturday 28 November through until Sunday 20 December you can enjoy ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ at Lyme, with carol singing, mulled wine, a chance to make your own Christmas decorations and lots of other sights and sounds of a traditional Christmas – including a reindeer trail around the garden. If you’re feeling creative, for adults we have a Christmas garland workshop on 2 December, followed by a festive wreath workshop on 9 December – booking for both workshops is essential at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nwchristmas

Little Moreton Hall, Nr Congleton
Tudor Yuletide  Advent Weekend, Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov, 11am – 4pm

The Little Moreton Singers will be in full voice at Little Moreton Hall on Advent weekend. You can listen to traditional carols whilst helping to make traditional decorations for the Long Gallery. Little Moreton will be decked out in the glorious greenery of a Tudor Yuletide, whilst volunteers in 16^th century costume will tell the story of how our ancestors celebrated the festive season 500 years ago – without Christmas trees or Father Christmas!

On weekends from Saturday 5 – Sunday until 20 December join in traditional Yuletide festivities with Tudor entertainment, musicians, a jester, and storytelling – not to mention delicious festive treats including home made mince pies and cream, warm apple punch and Christmas gingerbread.

Dunham Massey, Altrincham
Christmas at Dunham, Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov, 12 noon – 4pm

Christmas at a great house like Dunham Massey was always a busy time of year. On 28 and 29 November you can take a sneak peak ‘downstairs’ in the servants’ quarters where preparations are underway. Mulled wine and mince pies will keep out the cold, or you can always warm up by the fire in the dairy whilst you listen to Christmas storytelling.

How about weaving a magical willow star to decorate your own Christmas tree – and Dunham’s servants will help you make your own deliciously scented pomander – a traditional Christmas gift for someone special.

If the thought of Christmas shopping makes you panic, then why not head to Dunham’s shop on 2 December which will stay open until 7pm.There’ll be delicious tastings from Dunham brewery amongst others and a great selection of gifts – including a Dunham Massey calendar featuring photos of the house and estate throughout the year.

Finally, join us for singing carols around the huge and beautifully decorated Christmas Tree in Dunham’s Entrance Hall on 5 -6 and 12 – 13  December and don’t forget that Father Christmas will be visiting Dunham on 19-20 December.

Christmas 2013 at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal , Cheshire . Pic Emma Williams

Quarry Bank, Styal, Nr Wilmslow
A Victorian Christmas at Quarry Bank: weekends 5/6, 12/13 Dec, 11am – 3pm

In the Victorian mill, all talk of Christmas has been banned until all the hard work’s done. However, there’s rumour of a Christmas party – so we need you to help the apprentices finish their work and find the Christmas trail to the party. You’ll meet up with characters from Quarry Bank’s past, and try a slice of the currant loaf that Victorian apprentice children were given as a treat on Christmas Day! In the Mill Yard there’ll be a huge Christmas tree, lots of sparkling lights, decorations and carols by local choirs or brass bands – and don’t foget to pop into the Mill Manager’s office to see Father Christmas. He’ll be waiting……

To find out more about Christmas events at National Trust places in Cheshire, Lancashire and Liverpool go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nwchristmas