Christmas at Calke - 3 visits!

Three visits to the same National Trust property within a week or so may seem excessive but we went first in an evening to see the illuminated garden trail, back in day-time when the house and garden were open, and back for a final visit with grandson.

I particularly loved the outdoor illumination which seem to have increased since last year. Three sides of the house were illuminated with changing light-shows and accompanying music, among the trees were wild animals and their footprints , a scattering of snow-flakes, and another display of light and sound. Totally magical/

Back at the house, we headed for the tunnels which once made a hidden access between house and service quarters. These too were illuminated, with trees and woodland animals leading the way back to the old brewhouse and modern cafe and shop..

 

Going back to the house in daylight, we found it had been taken over by Calke's knitted Christmas mice, playing in the snow, decorating a tree, and cooking up a seasonal feast. A lovely whimsical take on decorations.

Chatsworth at Christmas

Christmas is always marvelous at Chatsworth - so much so that perhaps it's easy to dismiss it as 'what one expects', and not truly appreciate it.

Like any stately home they have the advantage of huge rooms, high ceilings, and space for decorations that would overwhelm any other space - tall Christmas trees, tunnels of light leading from one room to another - and it's always a spectacular display.

This year's theme was an enchanted forest with frosted trees, fairies, and the massive dining table becoming a frozen lake. My husband complained that it wasn't 'Christmassy' enough but I loved it.

While we'd been inside, night had fallen so it was the ideal time to explore the illuminated garden. I wasn't quite so impressed with the outdoor experience but any outdoor space becomes magical and mysterious when seen lit up after dark.

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One last blast of Christmas - Cinderella at Sudbury Hall

In those slow days between New Year and 'back to school' my grandson came to visit, and for one last blast of Christmas we headed over to Sudbury Hall to see their Once Upon A Time, Cinderella exhibition. Sudbury is known as the Children's Country House with a museum of childhood and a deliberate attempt within the Hall to involve children, encouraging them to search out hidden details their parents (or grandparents) might miss, to dress up for the ball, to settle down in the library and read. There's also a room given over to construction play, and mock cookery encouraged in the kitchen. 

The main attraction though was the themed decorations of Cinderella. The 'cast' of Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, Ugly Sisters etc were gathered round the dining table, a silver slipper waited on a cushion, pumpkins were scattered around under the Christmas trees and by the fireplace.

In the Long Gallery, with its marvelous ceiling, there were games and toys to play with and a small stage where children could dress up and enact the tale of Cinderella.

After exploring the kitchens we headed outside where a fountain was playing despite te ice forming on its pond! 

My grandson wanted to play with the toys and games in the courtyard, and clamber about in the adventure playground, but tbh I thought it was too cold to spend much time outdoors, so with the enticement of a ride in the buggy/bus we headed back to the car,

Despite it being a National Trust property not far from home, it's a place I've never visited before (so there's my first 'something new' ticked off for the year), and I'd like now to return sometime when it's rooms and walls are in their un-decorated state. and the weather is nice enough for a further exploration of the grounds.

 

December

December is always a busy month - more so than usual I think this year with visits to Christmas markets and decorated stately homes, followed by the inevitable shopping and cooking.

We started at Haddon Hall, continued at Calke Abbey and Kedleston Hall, then returned to Chatsworth which we'd already visited in November for the market, but this time to see inside the house.

In between all these trips, I tried to keep up my daily walking (not easy with damp weather and dark evenings), and, very exciting, we had a new front door fitted (a sort of Christmas present to ourselves)

Christmas itself was busy and fun-filled with two full dinners  - one with turkey (though it's missing from the photo) and one with a vegan roast. My grandson's birthday falls in the immediate post-Christmas period so involves another family party - this time with burgers and cake, as he was allowed to choose the food.

The days just after Christmas were shrouded in mist so instead of a walk outside we settled for another inside visit to Kedleston

Kedleston in the mist

 

Last and certainly not least - Christmas at Chatsworth House

I'm  not quite saying that this visit was a case of leaving the best till last, but it was quite close. Chatsworth at Christmas is always fabulous, and not having visited for a few years made it feel all the more special.

The theme this year was based round a specially commissioned book by Joseph Coehlo about Henry Cavendish, son of the second Duke of Devonshire, and his (real life) scientific explorations  and (fictitious) hunt for the Chatsworth lion.

The trail led inside to the grand hall then out through the courtyard to re-enter elsewhere.

The decorations echoed the scenes from the story, and his telescope and other instruments were also on display.

There's a mix of cosy fireside and grand imposing halls at Chatsworth, each displayed to its best.

The guide was full of amazing facts about the number of trees and lights used but the only one I remember was there being enough strings of lights to go up the Shard four and a half times!

It's truly a glittering wonderland.

Two lions guard the exit, but the other was asleep so this must have been the one Henry was looking for.