Christmas traditions old and new at Quarry Bank

Christmas at Quarry Bank, 27 November 2019 – 5 January 2020

Quarry Bank in Wilmslow is set to host Christmas celebrations this winter that will give visitors a fascinating, first-hand glimpse into the festive traditions from the past from two differing perspectives.

Families can step back in time to experience the mill owners’ Georgian home decked with Christmas decorations, while over in the Apprentice House, they can discover the more modest festivities which the child workers at Quarry Bank would have had.

A cup of tea and a slice of current loaf were one of the few festive treats enjoyed by the children who worked at Quarry Bank. “The apprentices rarely had a treat or even a day off so a cup of tea at Christmas was a real luxury,” said Quarry Bank Programming Manager, Suzanne Kellett.

‘While people are starting to think about what’ll be on their Christmas menu for the big day, we’ve already started getting into the festive spirit in the kitchens at Quarry Bank. New festive recipes we have for visitors to enjoy this year include mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas cakes. Plus, we have classic favourites including hot chocolates and gingerbread men, all freshly made in the kitchens at Quarry Bank’ says Quarry Bank Senior Food and Beverage Manager, Rikki Thompson.

Out in the gardens, families can experience a more modern twist to Christmas as they follow the winter reindeer walk through the grounds, seeking out as many as they can find to win a festive reindeer prize. The historic glasshouses in the gardens at Quarry Bank will also be decorated with handmade, natural Christmas decorations, and after a frosty walk, visitors can warm up with hot chocolates, refuel with mince pies, or rest little legs with a sit on Father Christmas’s sleigh parked on the mill meadow outside of the mill.

And no Christmas is complete without a tree which will be taking pride of place in the mill yard at Quarry Bank. The shop at Quarry Bank will also be decked out with Christmas gift ideas for all the family, including locally made artisan collections, unique homewares, garden essentials and tasty treats. For a really unique present for crafty friends or a homemade Christmas present, visitors can also buy from Quarry Bank’s range of fabrics, woven inside the mill on the heritage looms and printed locally in a variety of patterns, including – for the first time ever – a special Christmas print.

For more details about Christmas at Quarry Bank, visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank