By Isle of Wight Observer
Father Christmas will be taking a well-earned break from the stresses of the North Pole as the guest of honour at English Heritage’s Victorian Christmas at Osborne House on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1.
Santa Claus is always a popular visitor to Osborne, and tickets can now be pre-booked in advance for ‘An audience with Father Christmas’. All children, naughty or nice, will join the man in red for yuletide tales and an early Christmas present amidst the festive decorations of Osborne’s beautiful ground floor rooms. Tickets for the experience are just £5 per child, in addition to entry to the Victorian Christmas event.
Alongside Father Christmas, the weekend promises the very best bits of a Victorian Christmas as Queen Victoria’s seaside home is transformed for the festivities. Step back in time to a season of roasting chestnuts, classic carol singing, festive family entertainments, and the very first Christmas trees. And experience the Victorian yuletide traditions which have inspired our modern Christmas.
Children will love riding on the vintage carousel and swing boats, making their own toys to take home, and discovering the joy of Victorian games; and the whole family will be royally entertained by fire-breathing jesters, funny and fast-paced retellings of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and Christmas Ghost Stories, a lesser known Victorian tradition!
The yuletide revels will continue after dark and into the evening as Father Christmas switches on the twinkling outdoor lights. And there is even the promise of snow… Osborne’s Victorian Christmas takes place from 11am–7pm. A family ticket is £44.50, with reduced entry for English Heritage members. Price includes entry to the event plus entry to the House and grounds. Book tickets online before November 29 for a 10 per cemt earlybird discount.
A small additional charge of £5 applies to take part in an audience with Father Christmas. Each child attending will receive a present from Father Christmas. Attendees must also hold an admission ticket for Victorian Christmas.
For more details and to book tickets visit: english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/
