Christmas at England's greatest Elizabethan house - Burghley

Christmas at Burghley

Christmas will be even more sparkling this year at England’s greatest Elizabethan house – with a free craft fair, extra seasonal shopping and a feast of festive food.

Dressed for the occasion, Burghley House, on the edge of Stamford, will have more Christmas decorations than ever before, while this year the annual Craft Fair will move to the House, adding to the festive feel around the cobbled courtyards.

For 2014, the Burghley Christmas Fair, run by the Rural Crafts Association, has been brought up the House and will nestle within the Brewhouse and courtyard, close to Burghley’s Orangery restaurant and shops. Entry this year is free of charge and stalls will feature unique textiles, unusual sculptures, artisan chocolates, jewellery and cashmere and silk pashminas (27-30 November, 9am until 5pm and 4pm on Sunday).

Also over that weekend, the free-to-enter Christmas Fine Food Market returns to offer visitors even more tasty treats. A celebration of local produce, stall holders will be selling local cheese, meats, cupcakes, cider and much more in the festively decorated courtyards, Saturday 29th November - Sunday 30th November.

Or how about Christmas carols in the intimate surroundings of the family Chapel within the House? What more traditional way to begin festive celebrations than at the Chapel Carol Concert with music spanning the House’s five centuries of history. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the candlelit Old Kitchen during the interval. (Sunday 14th December). 

For a chance to warm up with some seasonal food and drink, Burghley’s ever-popular Orangery Restaurant - housed in a building that provided space for the family’s love of horticulture and designed by Capability Brown – is now open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am until 4pm, until 21 December.

As well as the autumn and festive menus, a Christmas Afternoon Tea (available 19 November - 21 December) features turkey and cranberry or Stilton and red onion marmalade sandwiches, cranberry and white chocolate blondie and dark chocolate yule log.

For a spot of retail therapy, Burghley's Courtyard Shop is also open while extra seasonal shopping will again be available at the special Christmas Shop in the Brewhouse offering a selection of decorations, festive lighting, winter fragrances, chocolates and cosy winter accessories. Both shops open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until 21 December.

While the house may be closed for winter, Burghley's parkland, with its resident herd of deer, remains open with free entry right through the year - perfect for winter walks or a chance to blow away the Christmas cobwebs.

For full details, opening times and to book tickets, see www.burghley.co.uk

Chatsworth Country Fair Serves Up Best Ever Foodie Line Up

A mouthwatering line up of the UK's top chefs, bakers and food suppliers is being served up at Chatsworth Country Fair this year on August 29, 30 and 31.

Set to be the biggest and best foodie offering in its 34 year history, the AGA Rangemaster Cookery Theatre situated in the heart of the Fine Food Village has got a tasty selection of  live demonstrations from top celebrity chefs and the best of the region's chefs sharing top tips and delicious recipes for visitors to try at home.

Double Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, one of the most popular and down-to-earth characters on the food scene, is serving up three demonstrations on Friday 29 August at 11am; 2.20pm and 3.45pm. In a real coup for the fair, it will also be the very first place to get hold of a signed copy of his brand new book 'Best Ever Dishes', featuring more than 100 of his favourite recipes. Published by Bloomsbury on August 28, the book is being released ahead of his next BBC2 series of the same name airing in the autumn.

Queen of baking Mary Berry CBE is back for a return visit to the fair this year, with two demonstrations on Saturday at 11am and 3.30pm. The doyenne of family cooking specialising in Aga cookery, cakes and desserts, is a familiar face on our TV screens with the successful The Great British Bake Off pulling in peak viewing figures of 7.8 million. With so many fans, Mary is sure to be a huge draw at the fair once again. She will also be signing copies of her latest book.

On Sunday, Lesley Waters will be sharing her cookery skills at 11am and 3.30pm . Well known for her regular television appearances on Ready, Steady Cook, Great Food Live and This Morning, Lesley also runs a successful cookery school in Dorset and has written nearly 20 cookery books. With her talented and engaging style, Lesley will be a popular draw at the fair. Her simple, modern style creates dishes that are easy to recreate with stunning results.

Appearing on all three days, there will be a little of something you fancy for everyone. For fish lovers, Jose Souto, one of the UK's leading Game chefs, will be demonstrating 'Fish Made Easy' and talking about sustainable seafoods. Derbyshire born Alan Coxon will be back once again to demonstrate at his favourite UK show. Other names familiar on the local scene include Joe Hunt, head chef of the social enterprise cookery school, Tideswell School of Food, who will be sharing his passion for cooking; Amelia Horne, founder of Derby's Jack Rabbits food hall and deli and Adam Smith, head chef of the Devonshire Arms in North Yorkshire, singled out by the legendary Michel Roux Senior as a talented young chef to watch.

Next to the Cookery theatre, visitors will be able to grab afternoon tea in the Vintage Tea Room. Once again, the Fine Food Village will be offering a delicious selection of gourmet delights to sample and take home. Cheeses and chocolates, breads, oils and sauces jostle for attention with cured meats and spicy snacks. There are plenty of drinks to try with English Wines, craft distilled spirits and natural apple juices among those available. Now firmly established as a highlight in the culinary calendar, competition to take a stand at the fair is fierce resulting in a delicious treat for the thousands of visitors due to descend on the Derbyshire parkland.

Gates open at 9am each day with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. The box office is open for advance tickets. Advance tickets are available from £18 while children under 14 get in free. For more information and ticketing options, including a 10 percent discount for online booking, visit www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk

The Chatsworth Country Fair can also be found at www.facebook.com/ChatsworthCountryFair

Chatsworth house and garden are open throughout (normal admission applies). The farmyard & adventure playground are closed during the Fair. www.chatsworth.org

Spitfire and Hurricane Display Pays Tribute to WWII Airmen at Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair

Friday 29, Saturday 30, Sunday 31 August 2014

The famous roar of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine will herald the arrival of the legendary Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes in a thrilling display over the heads of thousands of visitors to the Chatsworth Country Fair this summer.

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, the two planes are part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and will be making an appearance on Saturday and Sunday at the three day event which opens on Friday 29 August.

Chatsworth hosts one of England's biggest Country Fairs, held in the beautiful parkland surrounding the house in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire. This year, Chatsworth Country Fair promises even better entertainment, bigger performances and more activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Celebrating the best in traditional country pursuits alongside some spectacular showground entertainments, highlights this year include cookery demonstrations from Michelin chef Tom Kerridge, baking queen Mary Berry CBE and ‘This Morning’ regular Lesley Waters. The Motorcycle Display Team of the Royal Signals, the White Helmets, will gun their 750cc Triumph engines through a daredevil display while the Knights of Arkley will spur their horses into a spectacular demonstration of medieval jousting and swordplay in an action packed schedule of entertainment in the fair's Grand Ring.

The Grand Ring: The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Knights of Arkley, the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team, the Band and Bugles of the Rifles, CJ’s Birds of Prey, the Steve Carver aerobatic display and the Silver Stars freefall parachute display team feature in the three day programme.

Showground Events: Lots to see including cookery demonstrations, pony rides, Highland dancing, hot air balloons, vintage cars, dog agility, lurchers, gun dogs and plenty more countryside and animal entertainment.

Have A Go: With clay-pigeon shooting, archery, salmon and trout fishing, children's fairground, air rifles, a climbing wall, dog shows, catapults and much more - there’s plenty to do as well as to watch.

Taste, try and shop: The Fine Food Village has dozens of producers representing the very best in regional and artisanal food – all of this in addition to the 300 plus trade stands selling everything from country clothing to vintage cheddar.

Gates open at 9am each day with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. The box office is now open for advance tickets. Advance tickets are available from £18 while children under 14 get in free. For more information and ticketing options, including a 10 percent discount for online booking, visit www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk

The Chatsworth Country Fair can also be found at www.facebook.com/ChatsworthCountryFair

Chatsworth house and garden are open throughout (normal admission applies). The farmyard & adventure playground are closed during the Fair. www.chatsworth.org

www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk

Chatsworth Country Fair was established in 1981 by Andrew Cuthbert MBE, at the request of the eleventh Duke of Devonshire.  It is now the premier Country Fair in Britain and is organised by Sarah Green, Tim Acheson and the Red Sock stewards on behalf of the Chatsworth House Trust.

Berry Good Show at Chatsworth Country Fair

Mary Berry

More than 95,000 people flocked to the Chatsworth Country Fair over the weekend (Fri 30 Aug – Sun 1 Sept) for a taste of rural life at its best with TV cookery star Mary Berry, the Red Arrows display team and JCB’s ‘Dancing Diggers’ proving to be popular highlights.

Dominic Reid OBE, who organised the show for the first time this year, said he was “absolutely delighted with the way it’s gone. The entertainment has been first class with something for everybody. If there is one thing that will really stick in my mind though it is the wonderful atmosphere around the park – and it stayed sunny and dry all weekend, which always helps!”

The Cookery Theatre filled an hour before Mary Berry began a demonstration on Friday morning, the veteran cook drawing a large crowd for her hazelnut meringue roulade; salmon terrine; steak with brandy and mushroom sauce.

Country Fair President Sebastian Coe took a look around one of JCB’s Dancing Diggers before they began their heavy duty acrobatics in the Grand Ring while the Red Arrows provided a spectacular overhead finale on Sunday afternoon before the show was officially closed by firing the guns of the King’s Troop.

Spread over more than 100 acres of parkland the three-day spectacle was open to all from 9am to 6.30pm every day with free-entry for under-14s.

Mary Berry Cooking Up Tasty Treats at Chatsworth

Chatsworth Country Fair

11am & 4pm, Friday 30 August

www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk

Friday 30, Saturday 31 August, Sunday 1 September 2013

TV cookery star Mary Berry will open the Aga Rangemaster Cookery Theatre at Britain’s biggest and best Country Fair with a cooking demonstration that includes hazelnut meringue roulade; salmon terrine; steak with brandy and mushroom sauce; pasta with parma ham and broccoli.

Chatsworth Country Fair

She is making two appearances on the opening day at Chatsworth Country Fair, the first at 11am with a further demonstration in the afternoon at 4pm. Foodies are in for a treat as Mary Berry’s appearance is just one of many from leading chefs in a packed cookery programme running over all three days from 11am to 5pm each day.

Former House of Commons chef Jose Souto will be demonstrating ‘fish is easy’ every day while Derbyshire-born Alan Coxon, ‘The Food Archaologist’, who has established a reputation as one of the world’s favourite TV chefs and presenters, will be appearing on Saturday and Sunday.

Chatsworth Country Fair

More than 90,000 people are expected over three days at the Chatsworth Country Fair in the heart of the Peak District for a celebration of the best in traditional, British country pursuits and some spectacular showground entertainments.

Highlights this year include JCB’s team of Dancing Diggers, the musical drive of the Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and mounted games in the Grand Ring; more than 300 trade stands; a fine food village; a traditional fairground and plenty of ‘have-a-go’ entertainment such as archery and fly-fishing on the River Derwent; and, the spectacular Red Arrows display team performing over the heads of the watching crowd on Sunday afternoon.

Chatsworth Country Fair

Spread over more than 100 acres of parkland the three-day spectacle is open to all from 9am to 6.30pm every day with free-entry for under-14s.

The Grand Ring: This year featuring The Dancing Diggers, The King's Troop Royal Artillery, Mounted Games, Scurry Racing, and freefall parachutists every day with the Red Arrows giving a spectacular display above the heads of the watching crowd on Sunday.

Showgrounds: Lots to see including Cookery demonstrations, Highland dancing, hot air balloons, vintage cars, dog agility, lurchers, gun dogs and plenty more countryside and animal entertainment.

Chatsworth Country Fair

Join in: With clay-pigeon shooting, archery, fly fishing, children's fairground, air rifles, a climbing wall, dog shows, catapults and much more there’s plenty to do as well as to watch.

Taste, try and shop: The Fine Food Village has dozens of producers representing the very best in regional and artisanal food – all of this in addition to the 300 plus trade stands selling everything from country clothing to vintage cheddar.

Chatsworth Country Fair

Gates open at 9am each day with a closing ceremony at 6pm.

For more information and ticketing options including a 10 percent discount for online booking, visit www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk - gate prices are £20 for adults; children under 14 get in free. The Chatsworth Country Fair can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/ChatsworthCountryFair

Chatsworth house and garden are open throughout (normal admission applies). The farmyard & adventure playground are closed during the Fair. www.chatsworth.org