BBC Countryfile Christmas in the Park will take place for the first time this weekend. And it'll be a live, three day Christmas event, commencing this Friday (10th Dec) with a Grand Opening with BBC Countryfile presenters: Matt Baker, Steve Brown, Tom Heap, Sean Fletcher and Adam Henson cutting the ribbon.
More familiar faces from the show such as Brian Turner, Anita Rani, John Craven, Joe Crowley, Tom Heap, Charlotte Smith and Margherita Taylor will also join the line-up across the weekend.
BBC Countryfile Christmas in the Park takes place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th December within the splendid grounds of Wiltshire's Charlton Park Estate.
There's Christmas activities to please the entire family across five acres of wonderful parkland. You'll enjoy woodland walks, seasonal crafting and Christmas cooking presented by top chefs, plus local food heroes, the show’s iconic arboretum and special festive tented village will welcome all guests.
The Countryfile presenters will be dropping into feature areas across the show’s weekend run, including Ellie joining a walk with Woodland Trust experts, alongside meeting, greeting and taking selfies with visitors.
Join the Countryfile presenters for a packed programme of six live shows daily, featuring a host of special guests.
Talks on environmental trends to farm life, Friday and Saturday will launch with Countryfile farmers regaling show-goers with stories from their years on the farm, in a talk called Winter on the Farm and how the industry adapts.
Later on Friday and Saturday and first on Sunday visitors will see the presenters discuss filming Countryfile in the winter months and how the show battles the elements to continue to create award-winning content year after year.
The stage will also be the scene for a good-old fashioned Christmas quiz, A Question of Christmas, where Countryfile presenters challenge guests on their festive general knowledge!
The Christmas Kitchen for 2021
The party is always in the kitchen and it’s no different at Countryfile Christmas in the Park. The Christmas Kitchen, which has the backing of NEFF and Bosch, will present a wide menu of TV culinary stars, local chefs and food heroes, hosted by one of the countries favourite celebrity chefs, Brian Turner.
But that's not all! Chef and presenter of BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, Matt Tebbutt, will also be joining the extensive list of culinary talent cooking up a festive storm over the weekend, with TV Chef and Food Writer, Ching He Huang MBE, Food writer, Xanthe Clay and BBC Masterchef Champion 2020, Thomas Frake. The Countryfile presenters will also join in the festive fun to help cook sustainable Christmas feasts.
The Christmas Shopping Village
But there's more! Timed to coincide with the final two-week Christmas shopping dash, show-goers can purchase their 2021 Christmas shopping from over 200 of the best independent traders and brands in the Christmas Shopping Village, including Gloucestershire Chock Shop and Beckfords of Bath, with thousands of gift and decoration ideas for stocking fillers on offer.
NEFF and Bosch Merry Baking Tent
A baking demonstration tent hosted by Bristol-born, Hobbs House Bakery’s The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Tom and Henry, the NEFF and Bosch Merry Baking Tent will take guests on a festive baking journey of live stage demonstrations, including ‘How do you bake the perfect loaf?’ and ‘What can you do to get the kids involved at Christmas?’ The Baker Brothers will share their secret tips and ideas, as well as welcome guests including award-winning patisserie chef and chocolatier, Will Torrent.
Deck The Halls
Visitors to Deck The Halls will be invited to watch modern and traditional craft makers working, learn how to make Christmas wreaths and decorations with natural materials, plus watch beautiful furniture being hand whittled and the process of candles being made. The weekend will kick off with a demonstration on making a wire robin with Zack from Paper and Wood, followed by beeswax Christmas candle making by Wild Harvest School of Self-Reliance.
Classes throughout the weekend will also highlight sustainable wrapping ideas while making the picture-perfect present for under the tree.
Carol-oke Live
Whether it’s ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ or ‘O Holy Night’, everyone loves belting out a carol! Guests can rest assured that they will get their chance, alongside the Malmesbury Community Choir and online choir, the Wiltshire Wailers, who will be treating visitors to festive carol performances throughout the weekend at the Carol-Oke Live Stage. Guests are encouraged to pick up a song sheet and join in the carolling.
Winter Woodland Walks
Outdoor lovers can also join The Woodland Trust on a series of expert-guided walks around Charlton Park’s stunning arboretum, where they can learn about the various flora and fauna, as well as how to tend their own gardens over the winter months. Kids can also get involved with Woodland Trust festive workshops, such as make your own reindeer from hazel sticks.
All of this fun will work up an appetite and thankfully there’s plenty of opportunity for delicious festive delicacies at The Park Food Market & Wine Bar, offering a tempting array of street food and of course warming mugs of mulled wine.
https://www.countryfilelive.com/christmas-in-the-park
