A STUNNING Christmas display created by theatrical designers will open at Castle Howard tomorrow (Saturday).
Charlotte Lloyd-Webber and Bretta Gerecke have joined forces to design the festive spectacular, based on the theme of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
This year’s displays are more ambitious than ever before and will include swans-a-swimming across a mirrored dining table, as well as the obligatory partridge in a pear tree.
“All of the public rooms in the house have been dressed, with different colour-schemes and decorations as you move through the song, culminating in the Long Gallery, which brings together all of the elements of the Twelve Days of Christmas in a breath-taking scene with evocative lighting and stunning details suspended overhead,” said Abbigail Ollive.
“Charlotte and Bretta have created a stunning scheme where you are drawn from room to room, and visitors young and old will love, with the familiar elements of the song woven into the colourful and sparkly displays.”
In keeping with the "feasting" theme, the rooms of the High South have been transformed into a Victorian kitchen and dining room, with table set for an opulent feast.
New for 2018 will be the incorporation of reality characters and games in various locations around the house and grounds. Visitors will be able to download a free app, created by York-based New Moon Studios, which will reveal Santa flying over Castle Howard’s rooftop, give young visitors the chance to decorate a virtual Christmas tree, and even indulge in a little elf boxing.
The Twelve Days of Christmas at Castle Howard runs from Saturday, November 17, to Monday, December 31 (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
The house and grounds open at 10am with last entry at 3pm during the week and 4pm on weekends. Admission prices for tickets booked in advance are £15.60 for adults, £14.80 for concessions and £8.80 for children. A family ticket is £41.60 (two adults and up to three children) or £24.80 (one adult and up to three children). Tickets can be bought on the day priced at £19.50, £18.50 and £11 respectively.
The farm shop is open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
For details, visit castlehoward.co.uk
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