Features
Blue Badge Guide: why the town of Barnard Castle is great for groups
Blue Badge Guide Tom Keating on group friendly attractions in and around Barnard Castle in County Durham.
Tis’ the season where groups head out on a of range Christmas excursions and to celebrate the festivities, here’s a look at the glittering displays at some of our historic venues.
Where are you heading over the next month? We’d love to hear about your seasonal trips and holidays – get in touch by emailing editorial@groupleisureandtravel.com.
Windsor Castle
The annual Windsor Castle display in Berkshire has opened, with St George’s Hall boasting a 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir Christmas tree which was sourced from Windsor Great Park – it took two full days to decorate! Other highlights include the Crimson Drawing Room, Waterloo Chamber and the Grand Staircase.
Bamburgh Castle
The Christmas Kingdom at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland has taken on The Twelve Days of Christmas as this year’s theme. The Billiards Room features seven swans which are swimming over a gilded lake, the King’s Hall has five enormous burnished gold rings which glow, plus a partridge ornament sits delicately on a stunning pear tree.
Waddesdon Manor
Along with an outdoor light trail and Christmas market, visitors to Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire can now see beautifully decorated state rooms which feature many intricately crafted decorations. A huge light projection show also plays on the exterior of the manor house, once home to the Rothschild family.
Leeds Castle
This is the first year Leeds Castle in Kent has hosted a Christmas trail, with the grounds transformed by seasonal installations and quirky designs. The display includes three miles of fairy lights, five kilometres of neon string and a 27-metre long Christmas Cathedral.
Blenheim Palace
This year’s theme at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is The Snow Queen, with the display re-telling the famous story through different elements. A Christmas market has also set up shop in the grounds, along with a large outdoor trail which includes many festive shapes and colours.
Hever Castle & Gardens
The team at Hever Castle in Kent have been taking to social media to show off this year’s indoor display, featuring welcoming log fires and plenty of Christmas trees adorned with traditional decorations. Outside, visitors can wander around a huge light trail.
