During December the Red Lodge on Park Row will be transported back to the time of Elizabeth I to discover how Elizabethan families celebrated the 12 days of Christmas. On Saturday, 9 December visitors walking around the historic house will see traditional Tudor decorations and be able to experience the smells of lavender, spices, tobacco and bay leaves - all the scents that once filled the house during the festive period. On Saturday, 16 December visitors will have the chance to see Red Lodge prepared for a 'Stuart-style'- Christmas. At both weekend events visitors can meet either a Tudor or a Stuart family, watch them prepare a family feast and join in the fun of making traditional gifts. Victorian festivities Over at Blaise Castle House Museum on Sunday 10 and 17 December, visitors are invited to experience a Victorian Christmas as the house is brought to life with festive activity. In the morning there will be a chance to make traditional Victorian Christmas decorations, and in the afternoon there will be the opportunity to watch a community theatre play and join in carol singing with the choir. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the people who lived at Blaise Castle House, how the house and grounds have changed, how life differed from then and now, what people wore and what sort of toys children might have wished for from Father Christmas. Dickensian Christmas More Victorian Christmas delights can be found at the Watershed this Christmas as Bristol Silents presents A Dickensian Silent Christmas (PG) on Sunday, 17 December.
Dickens and Christmas go together like a mince pie and a glass of sherry and the silent film society present a seasonal selection of silent delights based upon Dickens’ works. Santa at Tyntesfield And just in case you still can't get enough of that Victorian Christmas atmosphere, why not take a trip to Tyntesfield during December. The first ever Christmas opening at the National Trust's property in Wraxall comes complete with visits by Father Christmas and carol concerts in the sumptuous chapel. Carol concerts take place in the chapel on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 December, call 01275 461900 for details. And take a trip around the grounds before collecting your gift from Father Christmas when he visits on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10, and Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December between 11am and 3pm. | 
