Spooky Half Term at the Treasure Houses of England

For a happy Halloween and Half Term holiday, schedule in a spooky trip to the ever-spectacular Treasure Houses of England.

There are ghosts and ghouls aplenty at Beaulieu’s half term hauntings (25 Oct – 2 Nov). It’s rumoured to be one of Britain’s most haunted places, with ghostly sightings in the 13^th Century Abbey and at Palace House. They’ll be lots of strange going-ons for all the family to enjoy from Halloween quiz trails to spooky story-telling and lucky dip to face painting.

Halloween at Beaulieu

Experience Halloween tricks and treats at Blenheim Palace this half term. Ride the Ghost Train down to the Pleasure Gardens for a whole host of haunts. Lurk around the Labyrinth or take the 'Which Witch is Which?' trail to win some prizes. Get creepily crafty in the 'Pottering About' studio and try your hand at pumpkin carving in the Pleasure Gardens Deli.

Burghley’s sell-out Spooky Tours return (20 Oct – 1 Nov). Journey down into the creepy cellars, explore the forbidding outbuildings and centuries old cloisters of Burghley by flickering torchlight while unearthing Burghley's secret history. Plus from 18 Oct - 2nd Nov families can enjoy Burghley Pumpkin Trail around the Sculpture Garden. Tread through the crispy Autumn leaves and find the hidden pumpkins to receive a treat.

Follow CastleHoward’s ghosts and ghouls trail through the house during October half term, spotting the spooks hiding in each of the rooms. On 1 Nov will be an evening of family Halloween entertainment with storytelling, pumpkin carving, ghost rides and more. For the first time Castle Howard is taking part in Illuminating York. From 29 Oct –31 Oct the house will be lit with atmospheric light projections creating a unique visual spectacular, whilst the interiors will twinkle with candlelight and roaring log fires.

Chatsworth has ghoulish fun lurking around every corner. Discover the Halloween trail through the house with man traps, a 16th Century book of spells and more. In the garden find hidden pumpkins, travel the scary maze, dare to enter the abandoned tunnel, learn how to make a witch’s broomstick and listen to spooky storytelling. And with spooky crafts, shoot the spook and bat spotting in the farmyard and adventure playground there is plenty of Halloween fun to get involved with.

Perfect for families and lovers of the outdoors, October half term week at Harewood celebrates autumn in all its glory. Smell tasty aromas in the Old Kitchen and join seasonal cooking demonstrations Below Stairs. Try biscuit making in the Pastry Room or have a go at badge making. There are also scarecrow trails around the grounds and bags of room to run around.

A visit to the exciting Bloody Hollow adventure play area at Hatfield House is a must this half term. With its 2.5 metre high model of Hatfield House dominating the central area, Bloody Hollow has a great range of play items for all ages of children. On 1 Nov watch a fantastic fireworks display, the space themed evening will also have a funfair and plenty of family fun entertainment.

Ghoulish adventures, fun and frights will set your heart racing this half term at Holkham Hall. Discover the ‘Curiovan’ and see the natural world in a magical way with specimen jars, dancing skeletons, clockwork ladybirds and tiny skeletal fairies.  Let the yarnsmith enthral you with his spell-binding tales of devils, ghosts and witches. There’s pumpkins to carve, silhouette bingo to try or our ‘skull-duggery’ challenge. In the hall, collect spooky body parts and make your own ‘pencil ghost’ or in the Old Kitchen, join in the fun with ‘Kiddy Cook’ and decorate a delicious Halloween cookie - how gruesome will your creation be?

Children will be thrilled and surprised by the Haunted Halloween Hunt and Spooky Quest at Leeds Castle (25 Oct – 31 Oct). The Spooky Quest takes place around the woodland walk while the Halloween Hunt will involve clues from spooky characters all around the grounds, both with a chocolate prize at the end. Enter the fancy dress competition for the best blood curdling outfit and listen to Spooky Stories with Raggedy Jack.

Pay a visit to the Grotto at Woburn this October half term. The Grotto (built probably between the later 1620s and 1641) was designed as an undersea cavern which included piped water cascading into a basin.  The stone is carved to resemble seaweed and stalactites, with dolphins formed from mother-of-pearl and the ceiling inlaid with ormer shells. A perfect place to imagine spooky stories and gory goings-on.

New Exhibitions Unveiled At The Treasure Houses Of England For 2013

From artistic masterpieces to fascinating historical exhibitions, The Treasure Houses of England look set to deliver a captivating programme of exciting events this year.

BOND IN MOTION - Beaulieu

Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum is proud to announce that it is extending its hugely popular and critically acclaimed BOND IN MOTION exhibition (until 5 January 2014) - the exclusive official showcase of 50 original James Bond vehicles, including cars, boats, motorbikes and jets.  From the Aston Martin DB5 in Goldeneye to the Phantom III Rolls-Royce in Goldfinger, expect a bevy of incredible vehicles straight from the silver screen celebrating the brilliant Bond franchise in crowd-pleasing style.

Film is celebrated at Blenheim Palace (9 February – 1 April) with its special exhibition: “Lights, Camera, Action” – which is set to give an insider’s guide to the many film and TV productions that have been hosted by the palace. Visitors will be able to see samples, props and costumes of films including Entrapment (20th Century Fox, 1999), Hamlet (Castle Rock, Kenneth Brannagh, 1996) and Bollywood's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (Yash Raj films, 2001), to documentaries including BBCs Climbing Britain and ITVs Lewis. From Gulliver’s Travels (2010) to The Young Victoria (2008) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), discover the key role that that palace has played throughout its extensive career on the big screen, with various activities, talks, tours and workshops, including family-friendly films showings over February Half Term.

Ancestral home to Gold medal winning Olympian David Cecil, Lord Burghley – Burghley House continues to celebrate the Olympic year with a generous gift from Lord Coe – his own 2012 Olympic torch, which joins the original Olympic torch from the 1948 London Games in the Olympic Corridor display that has been especially expanded for the 2013 season. The exhibition to be held within the Treasury Gallery for 2013 focuses on Burghley’s remarkable and beautiful collections of Japanese Lacquer wares.  The special collection was founded in the late 17th century and added to by members of the Cecil family during the following 150 years. 

Chatsworth presents a packed programme of exhibitions, beginning with the brilliant British artist, William Turnbull (10 March-30 June), whose paintings, drawings and sculptures will adorn the North Sketch Gallery and garden; and the Old Master Drawings Cabinet (10 March-31 July), which showcases a series of landscapes by Old Masters such as Rembrandt. Botanical artist and sister of the Duke of Devonshire, Emma Tennant exhibits her watercolours in the New Gallery (24 March-30 June), while the bicentenary of the publication of Pride & Prejudice is celebrated via A Georgian Summer (27 July-29 August) – a special exhibition in the New Gallery and schedule of garden events. In the autumn, Beyond Limits (9 September-27 October), Sotheby’s exhibition of contemporary sculpture in the garden returns for its 8th year, whilst an exhibition of contemporary applied art entitled Modern Makers will be showcased in the New Gallery (18 September- 23 December). 

Duty Calls: Castle Howard in Time of War - While generations of Howard sons went  to fight overseas the impact of war was often more powerfully felt at home.  Between 1815 and 1944 five Howards were killed in action, and for the family war was a time of anxiety as well as bereavement; this was an experience shared with staff and tenants, many of whom are commemorated on war memorials in estate villages. Belgian refugees, enemy prisoners, evacuees, fire, crashed aircraft, and horses commandeered for the front meant that the impact of war was never far away from Castle Howard. From Waterloo to World War II, this exhibition explores the stories of Castle Howard in the time of war. On displayfrom 25 May 2013 to end 2014.

Harewood House displays an extraordinary exhibition of the ordinary.  Art collector, David Usborne’sObjectivity – The Art of Useful Things (16 February-1 September), honours utilitarian items that have a simple beauty  becoming ‘accidental masterpieces’ of modern sculpture.  In Cloud Country (29 March-30 June) is guest curated by Iwona Blazwick of the Whitechapel Gallery and takes inspiration from Harewood’s landscape.  It is a unique anthology that catalogues the work of some of the most acclaimed artists from the 18th-21st centuries, including John Constable, Henry Moore, John Sell Cotman, Giuseppe Penone and Rachel Whiteread who are all united by their intriguing depictions and abstractions of nature.  

Photograph by John Young 1962
Holkham Ballgown Exhibition

Holkham Hall’s ‘Glamour and Gowns’ presents breathtaking ballgowns by society dressmaker and Viscountess Coke’s mother, Belinda Bellville, also co-founder of renowned couture label Bellville Sassoon. The Statue Gallery will see an elegant array of dresses and ball gowns take centre stage alongside drawings, patterns and photographs that chart the fascinating path of couture and Belinda Bellville’s dazzling career over the past fifty years.  The Glamour and Gowns exhibition can be viewed as part of your visit to Holkham Hall which is open every Sunday, Monday and Thursday
(12-4pm) from 25 Mar – 31 Oct.

Woburn Abbey’s Artbeat (29 March-31 August) returns for its fourth year to offer a spellbinding collection of international sculptures set amongst the glorious grounds and gardens of the Abbey, where visitors can wander the trail to appreciate over 60 outstanding works of inimitable art.

Hatfield House

Hatfield House alongside the Royal Academy of Arts will be staging an exhibition of sculptural works by the academicians of the RA in 2013.  Specific pieces will be set throughout the West Garden and North Front against the backdrop of the historic Jacobean house.


The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today.

For more information please click here: www.treasurehouses.co.uk

February Half Term At The Treasure Houses Of England

Promising a mesmerising mix of entertainment especially for children, The Treasure Houses of England are poised to deliver a fabulous feast of family fun this February Half Term.

Blenheim Palace

Beaulieu has orchestrated a James Bond themed Scalextric track and a special Secret Agent Trail (16-24 February) for younger visitors to go undercover in order to crack the hidden code; while Blenheim Palace (reopening 9 February) presents a filming exhibition “Lights, Camera, Action”, including family-friendly film showings over the half term week. Also its Pleasure Gardens – the perfect place for outdoor activities at the popular Adventure Playground, Butterfly House, the Marlborough Maze – the world’s second largest symbolic hedge maze - or taking a special trip on the miniature train.

Jump aboard the land-train for a joy ride down to the Lakeside Adventure Playground at Castle Howard, which is suitable for children (and adults!) of all ages. Similarly, Chatsworth’s Farmyard and Adventure Playground offers an enticing array of activities for all (16-24 February).

Harewood’s exhibition‘Objectivity: The Art of Useful Things’ (16-24 February) has inspired the half term family activities this February.   From extravagant jelly moulds in the Old Kitchen to tiny feeding spoons in the Bird Garden, learn about the extraordinary tools used to carry out ordinary tasks.  A fascinating collection of often quirky tools will be on display in the Servants’ Hall alongside a stack of activities that will entertain visitors of all ages. The Old Kitchen will serve up tantalising treats in form of jelly making displays, while there will be children’s crafts aplenty in the Still Room. The glorious Gardens will see demonstrations from the gardeners themselves and the keepers in the Bird Garden will unveil some fascinating facts.

Hatfield House’s Half Term Activity Week at Stable Yard (16-24 February) will see the Coach House Restaurant and Shops present a captivating collection of children’s activities ahead of Spring’s exciting park and garden reopening (30 March).

Leed’s Castle presents Creative Cookery at the Castle (18-22 February), which will give children the opportunity to develop their baking skills as they make a white swan out of icing and learn about butter-making for a brilliantly hands-on and suitably sticky-fingered experience.

The first Luminaria lights event at Woburn Abbey will illuminate the Abbey Gardens after dark and promises to be an evening of enchantment and adventure (5-9pm last entry, closes 10pm, Saturday 16th February).  Follow the trail winding through the gardens and set out on a family escapade or an alternative Valentine’s evening.   Experience the historic gardens aglow with warm lights, be entranced by ethereal sculptures, lose yourself in the labyrinth and watch award-winning ice sculptors create works of art.   Separate ticket price, pre-book online and save.

Opening in March:

Burghley House reopens its house and gardens to the public from 16 March, where an awe-inspiring world of stunning scenery and attractions await, and Holkham Hall follows in spectacular suit with its own anticipated reopening on 25 March and launch of a new Children’s Woodland Adventure Play Area with a tree house in the sky, high level walkways, rope ladders and zip-wire.

Woburn Abbey reopens its doors (22 March) for visitors to venture inside before delighting in the dazzling scenery of the Abbey Gardens and grounds and enchanting wildlife found in the Deer Park for an utterly fabulous and truly magical day out.

Tuck in to a Burghley Christmas

England’s greatest Elizabethan house will play host to a seasonal spectacle featuring festive favourites including country crafts, Christmas floral arranging and fine food.

Burghley House in Lincolnshire provides the spectacular backdrop for a festive celebration including a stately food market, crafts pavilion and Christmas parties in an historic location.

While the House closed at the end of October, Burghley at Christmas offers visitors a chance to experience traditional seasonal treats in a striking heritage setting. 

There are winter walks through the Capability Brown-designed parkland, home to a herd of fallow deer, and seasonal shopping at Burghley’s own gift shop.

And Burghley’s ever-popular Orangery Restaurant - run by prestigious caterers Absolute Taste - is also open Wednesday through to Sunday in December serving tasty treats as well as traditional Christmas lunches.

Launching Burghley’s festive season will be the popular Crafts for Christmas from the Rural Crafts Association, which returns to Burghley 29th November - 2nd December 2012.

A marquee in the picturesque parkland provides a festive space for talented makers and designers from all over the UK producing top quality products all under one roof. (For ticket prices, visit www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk or call 01428 684494).

While over the weekend, Saturday 1st December and Sunday 2nd December, join in a celebration of local produce at the free-to-enter Christmas Fine Food Market.

Within the cobbled courtyard against the backdrop of the Elizabethan house, stall holders will be selling everything from local cheese and meats to cupcakes and Burghley venison.

Special Festive Floral Workshops, will also be staged on both days with Burghley's head gardener John Burrows. He will reveal how to make either a beautiful table centre or festive garland that visitors can take home with them, with all materials and refreshments provided (booking is essential for the workshops).

But there is plenty more Christmas cheer on offer throughout December at the historic house, which has been the home of the Cecil family for more than 400 years.

Unusually for such a historic house, you can park and visit the restaurant or walk through the parkland with no charge throughout the year. Offering sweeping vistas down to the spires of the Georgian stone town of Stamford, Burghley’s parkland creates the perfect canvas for a winter stroll. 

Christmas also brings a truly seasonal flavour to the menu at the recently refurbished Orangery restaurant. Boasting huge windows flooding the area with natural light, the Orangery – also designed by Capability Brown – will be serving homemade food right through the day as well as Christmas lunch in December.

And as well as the elegant Orangery restaurant, Burghley’s awe inspiring Great Hall offers a chance for a Christmas Party with a difference, whether choosing one of the special festive packages or creating your own special event.

Caterers Absolute Taste offer a selection of delicious mains to choose from, including truffle-basted ballotine of turkey with a chestnut and wild mushroom stuffing and classic beef Wellington, followed by mouthwatering desserts such as a trio of Christmas treats.

The gift shop and the restaurant are both are open during the winter period, from Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (shop 11am to 4pm). 

For details of Christmas Lunch menus and bespoke dinner parties at The Orangery at Burghley, visit www.burghley.co.uk/venue/christmas

For full details of all events at Burghley, visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

Christmas at the Treasure Houses of England

Expect a fabulous feast of festive entertainment and events this Christmas at the magnificent Treasure Houses of England.  Shop in style with magical Christmas markets and discover beautifully and stylishly decorated Treasure Houses for a unique and inspired day out, not to mention the opportunity to pick up some beautifully bespoke presents for your nearest and dearest.

Beaulieu’s Christmas Fair (16 November) in support of the Estate’s Countryside Educational Trust includes an array of quality items from food and drink to jewellery, antiques and plants.  In addition, their Christmas Celebrations (15 December-6 January) will feature carol singing in festively decorated Palace House and Victorian characters who will be on show-stopping hand to divulge fascinating details on life in a Victorian country house

Blenheim Palace’s renowned Living Crafts for Christmas (16-18 November) showcases a series of splendid creations from over 100 British designer-makers as well as hosting outdoor demonstrations of stone carving, blacksmithing, street theatre and handbell ringing. Meanwhile, the Palace will be telling the story of The Three Kings (10 November-14 December) through spectacular themed decorations, with the State Rooms decorated in glittering gold and festooned in exotic silk.

Celebrate and sample local produce at Burghley House’s free fine food market (1 December) where cheeses, meats and cupcakes are just some of the drool-worthy delights on offer.

The NSPCC Christmas Shopping Fair will be hosted by Castle Howard, which also presents its captivating Christmas Craft & Produce Market (2-4 December & 9-10 December). Relish some seasonal finery throughout the castle and grounds with family decorations, festive music, seasonal menus and weekend audiences with Father Christmas (24 November-16 December).

The Christmas celebrations officially start at Chatsworth in early November and this year’s ‘Pantomime’ theme is sure to provide plenty of fun for children and adults alike. Well known Panto characters will be found throughout the House with a tall tale to be told in every room. For something decidedly different, visit Chatsworth for their Christmas themed evenings at the farm shop (20, 22 November & 5, 12 December). Browse their various gifts, treats and Christmas produce while enjoying live demonstrations and a top seasonal tipple of mulled wine.  Chatsworth also presents a host of workshops and making events, from their floral workshop (29 & 30 November) to wreath making (5 & 6 December) sessions.   And don’t forget to bring the entire family to Chatsworth’s nativity performances, featuring adorable real animals from their farmyard (evening nativities 1, 8, 15 and 22 December at 6pm and daytime nativities 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 December).

Festive food, a crackling fire in the grate and a house dressed for a family Christmas; Harewood celebrates all that is good about the festive season with their much-anticipated Christmas Weekends
(1 December-23 December).   Immerse yourself in the magic of the house and take a tour of glorious grounds, feel the true spirit of a Harewood Christmas.

Get in the festive spirit with Music for Christmas at Hatfield (9 December).  Staged in the Old Palace, Hertfordshire Chorus - one of the UK's leading symphonic choirs - present an evening of seasonal favourites as mulled wine, coffee and mince pies will be doing the delicious rounds prior to the performance.  And don’t miss Hatfield’s Frost Fair (23 – 25 November) where you will find wonderful original and unusual crafts and gifts for the family and home.

Catch awe-inspiring splendour at Holkham Hall for their resplendent Christmas Celebrations (1, 2, 8 & 9 December). With the staterooms decorated in stunning Victorian style and cast in oh-so romantic candlelight, it promises to be a magnificent sight to behold.   Watch the cooks in the Old Kitchen as they prepare the Christmas feast and meet the traditionally clothed Victorian characters who will be filling the hall with storytelling, dancing, carol singing and tales from Christmas past; while Father Christmas welcomes children each with their own special gift.  Visit the Victorian traders selling Christmas gifts and crafts in the Bygones Museum and courtyard and indulge in tasty refreshments at The Stables Café, with mulled wine and tempting festive treats.

The lovely fellows at Leeds Castle are proud to present Christmas Past (12 -23 Dec) - a glorious celebration of the Victorian Christmas.  Come and see the incredible illuminated Woodland Walk and prepare to be amazed!  Glorious food, shops, stalls, fabulous gifts, Christmas carols, a Victorian train, Santa Claus and more.

Treasure Houses of England

• The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

• Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley House, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

• One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

• Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen. 

• Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

For more information visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Expand your horizons at the Treasure Houses of England

Try something new and experiment with your imagination at the inspired array of special events and workshops hosted by the magnificent Treasure Houses of England.

Dabble in art, photography, music, botany and even animal husbandry at the country’s most beautiful and breathtaking castles, palaces and estates for a distinctively different and utterly awe-inspiring day out.

Blenheim Palace are pleased to announce their brand new photography course days run on selected dates throughout the year.  A unique opportunity to work with professional photographers, enhance your skills and learn expert camera tricks within the grounds of the stunning Blenheim Palace.

Delve into The Pagan & Profane (29 September) at Burghley House, which looks at the way Greco-Roman mythology has inspired incredible art from the fifteenth century onwards. Similarly, their Mendelssohn & Liszt course (20 October) examines these two prolific romantic composers.

A selection of portraits from Burghley’s own collection provides the focus for their Art Day course (17 November), while their new watercolour workshops with Sandra Peck will introduce you to this enigmatic art form.

Castle Howard’s range of Photography Workshops - run by Yorkshire-born photographer Chris Ceaser - will accommodate both beginners and professionals.  An Introduction to Photography (19 Oct) and Intermediate Photography (26 Oct)  offer creative and technical tips to achieve superb shots.

Chatsworth presents a host of animal husbandry guides from Keeping Pigs (9 October) to Keeping Chickens (11 September & 13 November), as well as their brilliant Hands On Gardener Day (17 October).  Also, don’t miss the chance to learn new skills with the Textiles department in their Inspired by fashion (29 September) workshop.

Harewood’s wonderful workshops feature everything from Landscape Photography (30 September) to Portrait Photography (14 October) and Telling Stories in Pictures (25 November).  Also, don’t miss the chance to get hands-on with their Traditional Ceramics Workshop (23 September) and Stained Glass Workshop (21 October).

RHS Gold Medal Winner, Anna Knights leads Holkham Hall’s Botanical Painting Workshop (26 September) while Deer at Dawn is the inspired subject matter for their Photography Workshop (24 October).  With 20 years horticultural experience, pick the brains of Holkham’s Landscape Manager on a study day to find plants for all conditions in your garden (8 September).

For an extraordinary experience, Hawk Walks with experienced Falconer Mark Brattle will see visitors up close and personal with the beautiful birds at Leeds Castle where he will teach the techniques of handling and flying the birds across the stunning parkland.

Woburn Abbey’s Come and Grow events are a must for the green-fingered as they tackle everything from lawn care (1 & 2 September) to tree planting (6 & 7 October) – so monitor their progress through the changing seasons and literally watch the flowers grow!  Or why not join Woburn Abbey’s Study Day (21 November) for an in-depth insight into one of the most remarkable landscape gardeners, Humphry Repton. Discover his groundbreaking visions alongside the techniques and processes used for the spellbinding creations he conceived.