‘Take Your Pick’ for Tudor Yuletide

Image above: Ready for Yuletide. Tudor gentlewoman Anna Fielding decorates Little Moreton Hall ⓒ Alan Ingram/ National Trust

Little Moreton Hall: 29 November-17 December

If you like pre-Christmas celebrations with fun, music and all the razzmatazz, or if you prefer something more peaceful, Little Moreton Hall has the answer, Tudor-style.

For the first time, the timber-framed mansion near Congleton will be open five-days-a-week during most of December for a Yuletide Festival.

At weekends, jesters, musicians, singers and a storyteller will bring life and humour to the hall, which will be ‘dressed for Christmas’ with seasonal decorations and a Tudor feast laid out on its massive ‘board’ table.

During weekdays, visitors will see some Tudor-style cooking, be able to sample some items of Tudor food, and explore in detail the way Yuletide was celebrated in the sixteenth century.

Rebecca Alexander, Little Moreton Hall’s Visitor Operations Manager, said: “Our weekend celebrations on the run-up to Christmas have always been a big draw, but until two years ago Saturdays and Sundays were our only open days in December.   Last year, we experimented by opening on Fridays too, so that people who wanted to see the hall’s decorations and the Tudor feast in a quieter atmosphere could do just that. Visitors really enjoyed the experience and spent a lot of time chatting to our staff and volunteers.”

“It was so successful that this year we decided to extend those ‘quieter’ days to Wednesdays and Thursdays as well. We think we are now catering for everyone. Some may like to try the weekday and the weekend experience. We can certainly assure everyone of a warm welcome, at least as far as hospitality is concerned. Temperatures are a different matter. Whichever day you choose to come; wrap up in some warm clothes!”

Little Moreton Hall is currently closed. It will open for Yuletide from 29 November to 17 December (Wed-Sun). Opening hours are 11am-4pm.                                     

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/littlemoretonhall or call 01260 272018.