Wickhams' Winter Wine Discovery Event

If you are in Exeter on Saturday 19th November, why not join Wickhams at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel from 12-6pm to discover their range of award-winning wines from around the world?

There will be a wide range of delicious A wines from England, France, Spain, Italy, South Africa and beyond, available to taste with many winemakers and producers available for you to actually meet up with on the day.

 There will also be five special wine masterclasses hosted by top wine industry experts such as popular wine writer Susy Atkins who writes for  telegraph.co.uk and delicious. magazine.

Tickets are available from eventbrite.co.uk and cost £15 per person (until October 31st), after which tickets cost £30 per person. 

Masterclasses are £5 each and it is recommended they are purchased beforehand.

The Exeter Mercure Hotel is located opposite the Central Station, in the very heart of Exeter. It is perfectly situated should you be using public transport and the hotel is wheelchair accessible, too.

Wickhams' tasting events are renowned for being informal and a lot of fun. You'll be able to taste lots of different wines, meet some of the winemakers and attend a masterclass. 

Whether you're an amateur who loves wines, or even if you're a seasoned professional, there'll be something there for you. The day will be the perfect chance for you to select your wines for the Festive Season, be they to be used as very special Christmas gifts or for your own personal Christmas wine cellar.

During the entire day Wickhams' will be showcasing a broad range of red, white, rosé, orange and sparkling wines such as: Bodegas La Eralta from Rioja, Spain; Mario Giribaldi from Piedmont Italy; Peter Falke from Stellenbosch, South Africa; and winemakers from Champagne, Beaujolais and Burgundy in France. Flying the flag for England will be Sandridge Barton Wines and Huxbear Vineyard, both lfrom Devon. 

Upon arrival you will be given a brochure with details of all the producers present and the wines that are available to taste. 

Masterclasses

Priced at £5 per person, unless otherwise stated. For further information or to book please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-wine-discovery-tickets-369410365347?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Masterclass 1 - Off the Beaten Track Wines Hosted by Stephen Barrett, wine writer and educator.

Join Stephen to explore some lesser-known grape varieties and countries in this intriguing masterclass. You may even discover a new favourite.

Masterclass 2 - Alternative Christmas Food and Wine Pairings Hosted by Pip Vanham AIWS DipWSET (please note this masterclass is £10 per person to cover food costs.)

Pip will be taking you through some alternative ideas to serve with your Christmas meal. There will be morsels of food served with each wine so you can really understand how wines change when enjoyed with the right pairing. Pip's passion really shines through when she's talking about wine and food so sign up and prepare to have your eyes opened to new flavour experiences.

Masterclass 3 - It's Beaujolais, but not as you know it! Hosted by Susy Atkins, wine writer (telegraph.co.uk, delicious mag.)

Beaujolais has too often been thought of as only a summer wine; light, floral and good served chilled. In this masterclass Susy will show you what gems Beaujolais is hiding to prove it is a great all-round region. You'll learn lots about the regions, the crus and the wines so open your mind to trying something new.

Susy writes for the Sunday Telegraph and Delicious magazine. She is also familiar to many wine & food lovers as a regular wine expert and presenter on BBC1's flag-ship cookery show Saturday Kitchen. 

Masterclass 4 - A Vineyard Year Hosted by Lucy Hulland of Huxbear Vineyard.

Come along and learn what really happens in the vineyard all the year round. Lucy Hulland is owner of Huxbear Vineyard, alongside Ben, her husband, and she will talk about the work required to plant and run a working vineyard. Nothing short of fascinating. 

You'll gain a greater understanding of what goes on "behind the scenes”, with blood, sweat, tears and an awful lot of hard work all contributing to the wines you'll be tasting. 

Masterclass 5 - Classic Christmas Wines Hosted by Dan Farrell-Wright

Join Wickhams' owner, Dan Farrell-Wright as he talks through what he will be drinking at the dinner table this Christmas. Dan's easy delivery will leave you feeling like you're part of the family as you taste 5 of Dan's favourite, classic choices for the festive season.

Wickhams have had another hugely successful year beating Waitrose & Partners to win Specialist Merchant of the Year, England at the International Wine Challenge Awards and receiving three nominations at this year's Decanter Retailer Awards. 

Their events schedule also continues to build with regular online tastings which are informative and a lot of fun. They are also very reasonably priced with one tasting pack, containing enough for two people, costing £10. These events are hosted by Dan Farrell-Wright and Pip Vanham (AIWS DipWSET) as well as other special guests and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own sofa! All information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/wickhams-great-british-wine-merchant-33238984503

Wickhams is an independent Devon-based wine merchant. They love to source the finest Estate bottled wines from around the globe.

Wickhams curate collections from everyday wines to utter classics, so there's something to suit every taste. They passionately believe in stocking wines, spirits and gift sets at a range of price points to ensure their products are accessible to everyone. To stay updated with all their events and new releases sign up to their mailing list at www.wickhamwine.co.uk.

Brie & Pickle Pastry Wreath from Cottage Delight

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 320g ready roll puff pastry

• 6tbsp Cottage Delight Perfect Party Pickle (320g jar)

• 200g brie cheese, sliced

• 2 tbsp pistachio nuts roughly chopped

• 1 egg, beaten

Method

• Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC fan/gas 6 and line a baking sheet with some parchment paper.

• Roll the pastry and cut a large circle out of the pastry.

• Lay the large pastry circle on the prepared baking sheet.

• Mark an inner circle with a medium-sized bowl, but don’t press all the way through the pastry!

• Cut four cuts into the centre circle, this will create 8 triangles.

• Spread the Perfect Party Pickle around the outer circle then top with the brie and pistachios.

• From the four cuts, bring one triangle of the centre outwards over the filling as well as bringing the outer edge of pastry inwards. Press the two together and continue all the way around with the remaining 7 triangles until you have a wreath.

• Brush with beaten egg then place in the oven and allow to bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

• Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes then slice and serve.

We would like to thank Cottage Delight for their assistance in providing this Christmas recipe. To learn more about their Cottage Delight Perfect Party Pickle and their other delicious cookery products please visit them at https://www.cottagedelight.co.uk.

And whilst you are there do please check out their very welcoming and helpful EarlyBird Discount of 15%! 

Cide is Wine. For Christmas and beyond

Four years ago Cider Is Wine set out a vision that "by 2030 all trade and consumers will be aware of wines fermented from apples, pears and other fruits made from 100% juice not from concentrate."

The Cider Is Wine hologram certification together with high level influencers and media acceptance has helped change perceptions with both the trade and consumer when it comes to drinks made from 100% freshly-pressed apple, pear and other fruit juices, not from concentrates, following grape winemaking rules and regs. 

These products really are wines by any other name (a very different proposition from mass market, 35% juice content ciders, perries and fruit wines, all of which can come from concentrate that's very often imported).

A spokesman for Cider Is Wine said: "Today we're thrilled to announce another step towards our 2030 vision, further accelerating our growth, with the agreement we've entered into  with Awin Barratt Siegel (ABS) to distribute selected cideries nationally in the UK drinks trade."

ABS is a six-time winner of the 'IWSC Importer of the Year Trophy' and works with over 80 wineries across 12 different countries, including the IWSC 2022 White Wine Producer of the Year.

Elliot Awin, a Partner at Awin Barratt Siegel, said: “We're really delighted to introduce selected Cider is Wine producers into the ABS portfolio: with lower alcohol content, and offering a complexity that readily exceeds their price on the shelf, these ciders, perries and fruit wines, with their local provenance, provide another string to the bow of independent wine merchants.” 

Alistair Morrell, Chief Cider Officer at Cider Is Wine, will be working closely with ABS to develop the cideries' sales, marketing and relationships, throughout the trade, as the ambassador for Cider Is Wine. 

Alistair added: “This is a vital milestone on the way to the big 2030 vision we laid out back in 2018. We're looking forward to working with the ABS team to bring these quality, artisan and authentic products to a much wider trade audience, confidently promoting the fact they be appreciated as much as any fine wine can be.”

Cider Is Wine continues to harness this new drinks category, worth an estimated £150 million, through certification with the unique hologram and education with both existing and new members. 

The combination of wine ranges from family-owned wineries stocked by ABS, together with the innovation of artisan products from Cider Is Wine sourced from 4 continents, each redolent of their 'terroir', to use a winemaking expression, is all about increased choice for consumers and a strong business proposition for UK wholesalers and retailers.

The UK market for ciders, perries and fruit wines made from 100% fruit, not from concentrate is conservatively estimated to be worth £150 million and they're inviting us to take a slice.

That's Christmas is be promoting the idea of ciders for Christmas, especially during Christmas dinner. We suggest purchasing a range of "real" ciders from your usual drink retailers and testing them out before the big day itself.

Limoncello Di Capri Relaunch With Bold New Brand

Legendary Italian drinks company Molinari has relaunched its popular Limoncello di Capri with an eye-catching new brand. One of Mangrove UK's delicious brands, the lemon-flavoured liqueur has received a refresh of its bottle, packaging, and position within the market.

Molinari's Limoncello di Capri sits in a class of its own, thanks to authentically sourced ingredients. 

The liqueur is made from 100% Sorrento, 'I.G.P' lemons a type of fruit specific to the region which is higher in essential oils, Vitamin C, and flavour. The process has remained unchanged over the years and the production of the liqueur takes place on the Gulf of Sorrento itself.

Originally produced as a post-meal digestif, this adaptable drink is now enjoying a renaissance with a variety of different serving suggestions and recipes.

The rebrand comes at a time when the Limoncello market is becoming more crowded. The new brand sets it apart from its less authentic competitors and supports the quality and purity of the spirit. The packaging is designed to appeal to an international market - premium, with a unique bottle that reflects the region's island cultures. The result is a product that draws in anyone with an affinity to Italy and can be enjoyed all year round due to its delicious versatility.

From the perspective of taste, Limoncello di Capri reflects its high quality ingredients, using the I.G.P lemons, which are a unique type of citrus fruit famous for their aroma, taste, balance between citric tartness and sugar, and the presence of vital essential oil. 

The traditional process also ensures there are absolutely no additives or preservatives. Thus adding to its provenance as the definitive choice for limoncello lovers.

The days of Limoncello being enjoyed as a digestif alone, are well in the past. Signature serves which have been developed alongside the new brand, are already regularly enjoyed, all year round, along the Sorrento coastline. 

Mixed simply as a spritz with prosecco or with tonic water, provides a refreshingly fruity beverage that's as delicious at Christmas, as it is in Summer. Limoncello di Capri adds a delicious citrus twist and pairs well with classic vodka and gin cocktails.  For a more unusual serve, enjoy as an iced drink or granita that's reminiscent of an invigorating lemon sorbet.

Richard Glover UK County Director of Molinari said of the rebrand: “The new brand for Limoncello di Capri reflects the quality and provenance of a liqueur which is synonymous with the sun-fuelled, pleasure-filled Italian lifestyle. 

"We're thrilled to bring it to market, alongside some recipe suggestions which will help lemon-lovers across the world to enjoy this versatile Italian drink.”

Nick Gillett, Managing Director of Mangrove UK said: “With the rise of the spritz and the UK's new-found love for Italian spirits and liqueurs, there is no better time for Limoncello di Capri to make its mark as a versatile drink that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, by new audiences.

“We at Mangrove are thrilled to have the original and definitive Limoncello as part of the portfolio and look forward to achieving the results the new branding deserves.”

We at That's Christmas feel that this relaunched spirit will surely be a firm favourite this Christmas and into the New Year.

Christmas gift guide ideas from Limetree London, a luxury gifting independent retailer

Christmas gift guide ideas from a luxury gifting independent retailer called Lime Tree London.

Lime Tree London has a wonderful range of British made gifts and decorations which are all absolutely perfect for Christmas.

The independent business, founded by two female entrepreneurs in Kent, Natalie Joliffe and Hayley Adams, specialises in personalisation, high quality and well-designed products with sustainability a key part of what they do.

So what Christmas gifting and Christmas decoration ideas are available?

Child Reindeer Apron and Hat set: £35

Parent and child Santa Apron and Hat set: £35 each

Letter to Santa sack: £45

Personalised child's Christmas gift box: £29.50

Animal stockings - set of 4 types - personalised: £29.50

Bunny towel gift box: £29.50

Personalised striped bean bag chair - also comes in blue: £90

To place your order and to see what else they have to offer please visit their website https://www.limetreelondon.com.

And when you sign up for their newsletter you will receive a very welcome 10% discount on your first order.

Asda launches new premium own brand spirits in time for Christmas

Asda has revealed the creation of  nine new drinks lines, which includes a premium botanical gin, some cream liqueurs and some flavoured gins, just in time for Christmas.

The launch sees the first products introduced under The Distiller, a brand that is new and exclusive to Asda.

The additions to Asda's existing own-label drinks are presented in specially designed giftable bottles, with prices starting at a very modest £8.00. Thus making them perfect for Christmas time gifting.

Some of the new lines have been 'endorsed’ by the Good Housekeeping Institute, and hold the logo as a mark of quality.

Asda is revealing several exclusive and utterly new drink lines, which are ideal for any celebration or would make a most suitable gift.

These exciting releases bring to life Asda’s new, own-label brand, The Distiller whilst also growing its existing Extra Special alcohol range.

Brand new from The Distiller are four flavoured gin liqueurs, all produced with triple distilled gin and priced at £8 per 50cl bottle. 

Distilled in the UK, the flavours are; Passionfruit and Pineapple Gin Liqueur, Pink Grapefruit and Orange Blossom Gin Liqueur, Cherry and Vanilla Gin Liqueur and Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur.

They are sold in art-deco-inspired bottles, so not only do they taste delicious, these bottles will also make the perfect addition to any home bar this Christmas.

Also new to the supermarket’s range of spirits are two delicious, own-label flavoured gins from The Distiller. Made in the UK with triple distilled gin, the range consists of an Elderflower flavour Gin and a Raspberry Lemonade flavour Gin, both of which are priced at £14 per 70cl bottle. Asda's drink experts recommend that you serve them with tonic or lemonade, ice and garnish with berries or a sprig of fresh rosemary.

For those of us who are seeking out a little extra indulgence or perhaps an after-dinner digestif, Asda has also revealed two new flavoured Cream Liqueurs; an Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Cream Liqueur and an Extra Special Chocolate Orange Cream Liqueur. These are also both endorsed by the Good Housekeeping Institute.

On trend for Christmas 2022, and the perfect option for lovers of blonde chocolate, is the Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Cream Liqueur. This combines Caribbean rum and double cream, the blonde liqueur is made with real Madagascan vanilla, white chocolate and caramel flavours.

With zesty Seville orange and mellow chocolate notes, the Extra Special Orange Chocolate Cream Liqueur is a velvety smooth blend of double cream and triple distilled vodka.

The rich, decadent and luxurious liqueurs are best served with ice and priced at £8.00 each.

Also there's the new, Extra Special Botanical London Dry Gin. This gin is made in Yorkshire in an award-winning distillery, the small batch, hand-crafted Extra Special Gin is made with nine botanicals. Which include  juniper, coriander, orange peel, angelica root, orris root, cardamom and locally foraged crab apple and gorse.

But there's something else, too. The Extra Special Botanical London Dry Gin is utterly luxurious. And it has the added advantage of being eco-friendly and sustainable too. 

The bottle is created using part recycled glass and uses sustainable cork stoppers from the Portuguese cork forest, which protects the habitat of wildlife, especially birds. It is distilled in an iStill, using a fifth of the energy of a normal still and ALL fruit and botanical waste is re-used or composted.

The premium looking bottle, also given the endorsement of the Good Housekeeping Institute and adorned with botanical illustrations, is priced at just £15 per bottle.

Shop in store and online at asda.com now, ready to gift your friends or for you to enjoy with family and friends over the Christmas season.

Personally speaking I think Christmas gift and drink buying might just have gotten a little easier, thanks to Asda!

Looking for work over Christmas? Here are some ideas

 

A lot of people look for temporary work over Christmas. But what is available?

Supermarkets such as Sainsbury, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco etc are already recruiting for Christmas colleagues and the rates of pay are reasonable.

Also, if you have a clean driving licence it would be worth enquiring about jobs over the Christmas period for food delivery services. Either with the big national outfits such as Deliveroo And Uber Eats or approach restaurants and takeaways direct as some of them still prefer to employ their own delivery drivers.

Bakers, patisseries and the like also sometimes need to recruit staff either in store, in the bakery itself or as delivery drivers. So see what is available in your local area. 

Also, what about florists? They are often very busy over the Christmas period with deliveries of flowers and plants to family members, fiancées, etc so it is worth checking with local florists to see if they have any openings for Christmas delivery drivers.

Theatres will normally hold a variety of entertainment events throughout the Christmas and New Year period, including pantomimes, Christmas spectaculars, etc and they often require front of house staff, scene shifters, catering staff, etc, so do see if your nearest theatres require any seasonal staff.

Venues such as exhibition centres, stately homes and the like employ extra staff over Christmas so check out those that are within your area.

Parcel and mail carriers often recruit extra staff over the Christmas period so do think about checking them out if you have a clean driving licence.

Pubs and hotels such as the Wetherspoon chain are often recruiting for bar staff, waiting staff, kitchen staff and cleaners to help cope with the Christmas rush so are worth considering.

Are there any chocolatiers or confectionary manufacturers within your reach? They, too, often employ extra staff to help cope with the Christmas rush and also the Easter period, too.

Garden Centres often look for extra staff over the Christmas period either working with the plants, operating tills, working in the Christmas section, or working in the café or restaurant as these are often extremely popular for festive lunches in the run up to Christmas.

Do you have a shopping mall near to you? If so, check them out to see if they require extra Christmas staff, perhaps they are running Santa experiences? Or maybe individual retail outlets within the shopping mall might require extra staff? They are worth checking out.

Does your town or area hold a Christmas market? If so, contact the operators to see if there are any temporary jobs available?

It's possible that your local authority or council might be requiring temporary staff to help run their Christmas events, so give them a try.

Also, check out employment agencies (local or national) and sites like Indeed and Linkedin for suitable temporary seasonal vacancies.  

(Image courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay)

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

Birmingham’s famed Frankfurt Christmas Market is a firm fixture in Birmingham's annual calendar of events and it's a massive favourite with Brummies and visitors to the city from across the UK and Europe. 

Birmingham comes alive every winter with the arrival of the Market, a clear sign Christmas is just round the corner!

The stalls on Victoria Square and along New Street offer something for everyone.

It's the biggest and authentic German Christmas market outside Germany or Austria.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market offers a whopping range of traditional German good and gifts and a selection of tempting foods and drinks. 

Genuine freshly baked pretzels, fresh schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds will tempt your tastebuds, all of which can be washed down with gluhwein, weissbeer (wheat beer), or tasty hot chocolate.

It'a a wonderful place to meet up with family and friends and enjoy the live music programme on Victoria Square. 

And whilst you’re there, why not pick up some presents for your family and friends with everything from handcrafted wooden decorations and delicate glass baubles to the ever-favourite crystal lamps, Sounds of Nature, hand-crafted leatherwork, toys, jewellery and much more besides! The big wheel and ice rink are also regular fixtures at the event -  For more information and to book tickets visit www.iceskatebirmingham.co.uk.

For more information about the city’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, please visit www.thebfcm.co.uk and follow @thechrismoose, reportedly the world’s only tweeting moose on Twitter.

The big wheel and ice rink are also regular fixtures -  For more details and to book tickets visit www.iceskatebirmingham.co.uk.

Over the years, Birmingham's singing Christmas moose (Chris Moose) has become a Christmas attraction in his own right. Located directly in front of the Council House entrance, the singing moose (Chris to his mates) guarantees a Christmassy atmosphere and a lot of fun for young and old. (I love Chris Moose and have been known to sing along with him!)

https://visitbirmingham.com for more details on Britain's second city, Birmingham.

woman&home Christmas LIVE

Following an overwhelming positive response from the woman&home audience during research earlier this year, they are proud to announce the launch of woman&home Christmas LIVE, a brand new, boutique event, which will take place on Saturday 19th November at London’s amazing County Hall.

Bringing to life the best selling magazine, this exciting event allows brands to get in front of over 1,500 highly engaged, affluent women, face to face, in the lead up to the festive season.

Carefully organised by the woman&home team, they'll be presenting an expert line up, fizz in abundance, a dazzling dose of fashion and beauty, plus, a relaxation beauty lounge, and a boutique shopping experience through their Christmas market, overlooking stunning views of the River Thames.

“We’re so excited to launch woman&home Christmas Live! Our extensive audience research reveals our readers love all things Christmas, even more so after the disruption of the last two years. This fabulous festive event offers opportunities for extensive food and drink tasting alongside inspiring fashion, beauty and crafts – all perfectly complemented with one-stop shopping opportunities in a stylish central London location,” said Catherine Westwood, who is Group Editor in Chief.

woman&home is now looking for partners and sponsors to take part in the event. “We know that November is a key purchasing time for this audience, and meeting brands face to face before December kicks off is key. We’ve listened to our brand audience and designed a highly immersive experience that will really kick start the festive season," points out Jonny Sullens, Head of Events, Future PLC.

To learn more or to book tickets visit them here https://www.womanandhomechristmas.com.

Christmas at Waddesdon returns for successful 20th year

This November, Christmas at Waddesdon, the much-loved festive extravaganza in Buckinghamshire, returns with some magical lights and music, the gardens will be aglow and more for visitors to enjoy than ever!

The Manor is back! Admire sparkling decorations and themed displays inside the house for the first time since 2019!

A new route around the house takes visitors through the magnificent Red Drawing Room, Dining Room and Conservatory, all magically transformed for the first time at Christmas.

See Waddesdon’s spectacular landscape brought to life as the longest-ever illuminated light trail winds through the grounds.

Immersive light installations to captivate the senses create a new family-friendly exhibition at the Coach House Gallery.

Enjoy unique seasonal shopping as Waddesdon’s traditional Christmas Fair returns from 12 Nov – 18 December.

Discover their new, bespoke Food Village and indulge in a fabulous selection of takeaway food and drink to enjoy whilst exploring the grounds.

Inside the Manor

Built to entertain on a spectacular scale, where better to inspire than Waddesdon Manor? After a two-year break, Christmas returns to the house with lavishly decorated rooms offering plenty to delight and surprise visitors of all ages.

Step inside a Waddesdon-inspired wonderland and see the magnificent setting of the Red Drawing Room, Dining Room and Conservatory sumptuously decorated for the first time as you follow a new route through the house.

Traditionally, much of the Manor is ‘put to bed’ for cleaning and conservation over the winter, so the decorated rooms on display this Christmas offer visitors a unique and utterly different experience of Waddesdon. Each room celebrates an aspect of the house, its history and collections to mark 20 years since the Manor first opened at this time of year.

From famous portraits to beautiful porcelain, festive decorations will take inspiration from the Manor’s many treasures, and, in the Dining Room, a newly commissioned peacock sculpture by renowned paper artist Andy Singleton will create an additional sense of wonder. Along the route, a series of light installations reflecting Waddesdon’s outdoor exciting displays including suspended butterfly lights and a corridor of illuminated clouds, link the indoors and outdoors together and bring a touch of Winter Light magic to the Manor at the most wonderful time of the year.

In the Grounds

Outside, Waddesdon’s spectacular landscape and magnificent trees are brought to life with a kaleidoscope of colour, lights and music as the longest-ever illuminated light trail fills the grounds.

This year’s displays feature mesmerising new light installations alongside some seasonal favourites. As twilight falls, highlights include the spectacle of the Manor’s façade illuminated with dancing lights set to music and the gardens glowing with a cascading field of flames, a tunnel of twinkling stars (the perfect photo opportunity) and colou-changing, interactive stepping stones.

Elsewhere, Daffodil Valley will be transformed with over 5,000 orbs adorning the hillside to create a glittering, wonderous blanket of lights, which turns into a sea of animation set to music. For keen Instagrammers, a new ‘WADDESDON’ selfie spot, with a huge sign of illuminated letters, is also sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to tag posts with #ChristmasAtWaddesdon.

At the Stables, visitors will encounter a giant 22 ft Christmas tree composed of over 10,000 colour-changing pixels creating festive imagery. Inside the Coach House Gallery, a new immersive light experience of installations exploring colour, patterns and reflections in light and sound will deliver a captivating sensory experience for all the family. 

Christmas Fair

Another much-anticipated highlight of the season is Waddesdon’s popular Christmas Fair (12 Nov – 18 Dec). Housed in charming wooden chalets decked with over 1,000 meters of festoon lighting, visitors will be able to browse over 80 specially chosen artisan stalls offering the very finest and often unique gifts and decorations. Against the backdrop of the floodlit Manor, it’s a shopping experience not to be missed.

There will also be an exclusive assortment of homeware, food, gifts and world-renowned Rothschild wines to purchase in the Waddesdon gift shops. New for this Christmas, the popular Waddesdon Rothschild Collection range of own-label wines has been redesigned and expanded to include an exemplary English sparkling wine, small batch and limited-edition gins, chocolate, honey, beer and local chilli oils, jams and chutneys, all produced exclusively for Waddesdon.

All profits will go towards the upkeep of Waddesdon, a Rothschild House and Gardens.

Food Village

Also new for 2022, there is a dedicated, bespoke Food Village (12 Nov – 2 Jan) will complement the traditional Christmas Fair, offering visitors a fabulous selection of takeaway food and drink to enjoy whilst exploring the grounds.

For an extra special treat, there will also be Christmas afternoon teas in the Manor Restaurant, fish and chips at the Stables and a delicious assortment of homemade cakes and biscuits, including unbeatable crumble-topped mince pies, created in-house by Waddesdon’s talented chefs.

Pippa Shirley, Director of Waddesdon, says: “Waddesdon is breathtaking at any time of year, but at Christmas, it has a particular magic. We are really delighted to be reopening the House again, after a break of two years and now with some of the most magnificent rooms included on the route for the first time, and to be extending the festive light trail in the grounds, which brings our extraordinary landscape to life in a completely different way. I really hope that this year there is something to surprise and delight everyone, whether a first-time visitor or one of the many who tell us that their Christmas begins at Waddesdon. It’s a place where memories are made.”

Opening dates, times and tickets:

All visits to the grounds and house must be pre-booked online to avoid disappointment, including for National Trust members.

Christmas at Waddesdon

Wednesday–Sunday, 12 November 2022–2 January 2023 (inc. 19, 20, 27 Dec & 2 Jan 2023), 12–7pm

NB the whole property is closed from 24 to 26 Dec

Decorated rooms in the house

Wednesday–Sunday, 12 November 2022–2 January 2023 (inc. 19, 20, 27 Dec & 2 Jan 2023), 12.30–7pm (last entry 6.30pm)

NB advance booking of timed tickets is vital for all house visitors, including National Trust members.

Illuminated light trail in the grounds

Wednesday–Sunday, 12 November 2022–2 January 2023 (inc. 19, 20, 27 Dec & 2 Jan 2023), 12–7pm (last entry 6pm)

NB the Winter Light trail will continue in the grounds from 6–22 Jan 2023, Fri to Sun.

Christmas Fair

Wednesday–Sunday, 12 November 2022–18 December 2022, 12–7pm (last entry 6pm)

NB included with Grounds entry or House & Grounds entry

Food Village

Wednesday–Sunday, 12 November 2022–2 January 2023 (inc. 19, 20, 27 Dec & 2 Jan 2023), 12–7pm (last entry 6pm)

NB included with Grounds entry or House & Grounds entry

Prices from: £18.20 Adult, £9.10 Child (Grounds only) | £32.70 Adult, £16.35 Child (House & Grounds)

National Trust member prices from: £5 Adult, £2.50 Child (Grounds only) | £7.50 Adult, £3.75 Child (House & Grounds)

Full details of prices and online booking information, here: www.waddesdon.org.uk/christmas.