Osborne’s Victorian Christmas, one of the Isle of Wight’s most festive celebrations, is returning better than ever on 1st and 2nd December.
Brand new for this year is an audience with Father Christmas, as well as the chance to enjoy the grounds after dark complete with sparkling lights, yuletide revels and guaranteed snow.
English Heritage are inviting you to enjoy 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.
Father Christmas will be taking a well-earned break from the stresses of the North Pole and enjoying a winter weekend away on the Isle of Wight. Join him in the house for yuletide tales (and maybe even an early Christmas present) amidst the festive decorations of Osborne’s beautiful ground floor rooms.
New for this year is extended opening until 20:00. The yuletide revels will continue into the evening and, as darkness falls Father Christmas will switch on the twinkling outdoor lights. Explore a new Victorian pleasure garden, complete with historic characters, and gain a new perspective on the beauty of Osborne as you sip mulled wine and wander among the softly lit grounds.
David Bailey, English Heritage’s Head of Historic Properties for the Isle of Wight & Hampshire, can’t wait;
“From figgy pudding and crackers, to cards and Christmas trees, the Victorian’s inspired some of the best bits of a modern Christmas – so where could be better to start your festive celebrations than the home of Queen Victoria herself? We’ll be decking the halls, practicing our carols, and testing out the snow machine to make sure this is the best Victorian Christmas yet.
“We’re really excited to be opening the event into the evening for the first time. Osborne will look magical lit up with sparkling lights, and we’re honoured that Father Christmas himself is joining us for the big switch on. It should be a very merry start to the festive season.”
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Throughout the weekend there will be a carousel, swing boats, and all manner of outdoor entertainments to delight the whole family. There will be historical high-jinx and breath-taking fire shows from the jesters, butler tips on how to attend a right royal Christmas, and a very funny fast-paced reimagining of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol.
Family tickets are priced at £41.30, with reduced entry for English Heritage members. Book tickets online at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/victorian-christmas-osborne-01-12-18/.
