Get Ghostly This Halloween at Chatsworth

Halloween at Chatsworth

Choose Your Pumpkin

Spooktacular Chatsworth is full of scary surprises this half term as the haunting Halloween Hoot returns to the eerie Peak District.

With ghoulish fun lurking round every corner, the garden, farmyard and house will be transformed from October 25 to November 2 by a host of Halloween helpers. Families brave enough to enter can witness the tricks, treats and spooky stories on offer, with activities ranging from broomstick making to trips into the spooky spell weavers lair.

Dare to ride the Fright Flight that travels deep into Warlock Wood, but mind your head - you will be shooting the spooks and spotting the bats as you go! A scary scattering of spiders and snakes will also be joining the resident farmyard animals, as well as a craft marquee, for a real hands-on fright fest this Halloween.

Visitors can take a walk through Chatsworth’s Halloween trail, with the house exhibiting a selection of historical items sure to give you a shock, including a man trap, a 16th century book of spells, a death mask, an autopsy report from 1777 and more. Ceramic pumpkins will light the way and highlight items from the collection with extra spooky significance.

In the garden, seek out hidden pumpkins, venture into the abandoned tunnel and much more. Spooky stories fit for the whole family will be taking place under the canopy every 30 minutes from 11.30 am – 4.00pm and afterwards learn how to make a witch’s broomstick.  Included with admission to the house, garden and/or farmyard, check www.chatsworth.org for more information on dates, times and prices.

What's On at the Treasure Houses of England this Autumn

Autumn has officially begun at The Treasure Houses of England. Dubbed the second spring September is the perfect time to immerse yourself in russet tones and see spectacular autumn colours in the floral displays as well as cultivated and wild parkland at our magnificent houses.

We have put together a round-up of reasons to visit this autumn.

Where else than Beaulieu – meaning ‘beautiful place’ to admire autumn? Find peace and tranquillity in the walled cloisters and herb garden. Take a tour of the Ornamental Kitchen Garden complete with 1870’s restored vine house. Walk hand-in-hand along the scenic Mill Pond walk and wander into the natural splendour of the Wilderness Garden.

As autumn sets in at Blenheim Palace, 2000 acres of parkland will be transformed with an array of warm colours, making this a beautiful time of year to come and take in the stunning landscape and views. There are a wealth of events and activities to enjoy throughout the winter months; highlights include the Literary Festival and Sunday Jazz.

Autumn in all its glory.

Don’t miss the Burghley Flower Festival (4 - 12 October) an autumnal celebration which will transform Burghley’s State Rooms with floral displays created by local flower societies. Be inspired by the botanical theme ‘Cities on the Grand Tour’ arranged with the 17^th Century art situated under opulent painted ceilings.

Take a stroll through Ray Wood at Castle Howard and marvel in the season’s striking tones and resplendent autumn colour, from the many shrubs and trees, and huge array of ripened fruit and berries.  Then make your way to the ornamental kitchen garden - Castle Howard Potager – for the autumn vegetable garden harvest. 

Having evolved over more than 450 years, the 105 acre Chatsworth garden continues to change today. There is plenty to discover at every turn, including the ninth installation of Beyond Limits, Sotheby’s annual exhibition of contemporary sculpture in the garden at Chatsworth from 8 September- 26 October. The Kitchen Garden is still producing good crops of plums, pears and apples to harvest, and at the beginning of September the Display House will have blooms on the passionflowers and water-lillies.

There are over 100 acres of gardens at Harewood. They are full of variety, with plants from all over the world - all in the setting of a landscape created by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Harewood’s renowned Bird Garden is home to exotic species including penguins, owls, flamingos and parrots and the Himalayan Garden is an extraordinary world in miniature, a plant-hunter’s paradise. There’s also scarecrow trails around the grounds.

Hatfield House forms the centre-piece of the largest private estate in Hertfordshire, with the woodlands covering an extensive spread across the county. Thus they offer a rich diversity of habitat and species. The woodland types range from the traditional coppice with standards, woodland and include commercial conifer broadleaved mixtures, continuous cover systems and minimum intervention woodlands.

Stock up on garden essentials and a great array of plants at Holkham Hall’s Plant Fair (28-29 September). Or for a chance to see the spectacular arboretum with its many unusual and rare specimen trees resplendent in their autumn foliage, book onto one of the Autumn Tours of the Private Gardens (19 October).

Set in 500 acres of picturesque parkland, Leeds Castle is the perfect setting for an autumn day out.  Take a stroll through the Wood Garden, which follows the curve of the River Len to the Pavilion Lawn. Festival of Flowers: (23-28 September) See the castle’s State rooms transformed into works of art using flowers, by local florists, flower societies and clubs. Leeds Castle will also host its first Fantastic British Food Festival, (12-14 September) smell and taste goods from local food and drink producers, retailers, chefs and cookery schools.

Woburn Abbey’s tranquil Abbey Gardens are open for everyone to enjoy the brilliance of Humphry Repton. Make your way through approximately 30 acres of serene formal and natural garden environments: from manicured lawns and colourful flower beds to peaceful woodland glades and ponds teeming with life.  Discover the bog garden, a recent addition with it carnivorous plants, the romance of the Doric Temple which was carefully restored last year and watch the recreation work in progress on the rockery and grotto.

Creative Fun at the National Motor Museum

Summer Workshop

Summer Workshop

This August, visitors to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, can take part in a range of fun and creative summer activities inspired by the museum’s First World War commemorative project, Caravans & Charabancs – Leisure Motoring after the First World War.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and sponsored by the Shell Art Collection, The Caravan Club and Meccano, the sessions will take place in the museum on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 28 August, 12.00 – 4.00pm.

Young visitors will discover the impact of this devastating conflict and how it changed the face of leisure motoring in the next decade. Activities include building model charabancs - an early form of motor coach - and caravans from recycled materials and Meccano. Participants will follow in the footsteps of post-war manufacturers who built vehicles and trailers from unwanted parts left over from the battlefield. Families can also explore the Shell Art Collection’s ‘Visit Britain’ series of artworks, designing their own poster collages featuring popular day trip destinations of post First World War Britain.

The activities are included in the price of an entrance ticket to Beaulieu, adult £21, senior £19.50, child (5-12) £10.50 and youth (13-17) £12.50 or £55 for a family ticket (2 adults + 3 children/youths or 1 adult + 4 children/youths).

No booking is required, just drop in and join in the exciting sessions. Visit www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/Summer_Activities for more details.

Spring into summer at Beaulieu this May Half Term (24th May – 1st June 2014)

During the May Half Term, 24th May - 1st June, spring into summer at Beaulieu and enjoy all the fantastic features of one of the south’s leading visitor attractions, as well as special activities for all the family.

Giant Chess

Giant Connect 4

Giant Drafts

In the grounds, have a go on some Giant Games! Get tactical with giant sized Noughts and Crosses, checkmate the king on the super-size Chess board and test out your logic skills with larger than life Connect Four. Budding drivers can get in the driving seat on Dipstick’s Driving Circuit, whilst younger visitors can get physical on the Mini Motor PlayTrail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars.

In Beaulieu Abbey, join the costumed monk in a fun game to find out how medieval arches were built and discover how herbs were used in medicines in monastic times.
Visit the National Motor Museum and see over 250 vehicles on display, including Land Speed Record Breakers, F1 racers, classic family cars of the 30s and 40s, plus rare motoring oddities such as a giant orange on wheels. Walk through Jack Tucker’s, a 1930s country garage, and take a ride on Wheels, a fascinating journey through 100 years of motoring.
Don’t miss the first opportunity to see the brand new Motorcycle Story, which takes you on a journey through motorcycling history, showing the developments in technology and the changing trends in fashion, style and sport. The displays cover road safety, British youth culture of the 1950s and 60s and a wide range of racing disciplines.
Also new for 2014, For Britain & For The Hell Of It is a fascinating display featuring the museum’s iconic Land Speed Record cars; Bluebird CN7, Golden Arrow and the Sunbeams 350hp and 1000hp. These stunning vehicles are showcased alongside a stirring audio-visual presentation and a temporary exhibition of alternative Land Speed Record vehicles.

Visit World of Top Gear to see actual vehicles created by presenters Jeremy, Richard and James during some of their most memorable challenges. The ‘Enormodrome’ recreates the feel of the Top Gear studio with regular features from the programme, including the Cool Wall and the Celebrity ‘Lap Times’ board, kept up to date in line with the show. Visitors can also watch behind-the-scenes footage of the Top Gear production zone and clips of some of the best Top Gear moments.

Visit Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538 and meet costumed staff who will tell you what life was like in the house during Victorian times. Take a ride on the high-level Monorail or hop onboard the open-topped veteran London bus for a different way to explore the grounds.

Visitors to Beaulieu on the 25th and 26th May can also enjoy Truckmania, an event taking place in the parkland which celebrates all things truck-related. See displays of trucks spanning 100 years, from horse-drawn carriages through to modern, environmentally-friendly lorries, watch the amazing BIGFOOT monster truck crushing cars and watch as truck drivers’ skills are put to the test in Truck Agility.

All-inclusive attraction admission tickets can be bought on the day of your visit, or take advantage of the 10% discount offered on tickets bought in advance online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk

Beaulieu is open daily, 10am – 5pm. For more information, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk

Hare off to Beaulieu for an Easter Egg-stravaganza

Hare off to Beaulieu for an Easter Egg-stravaganza

Easter bunny at Beaulieu

During the Easter holidays, 5th – 21st April, young visitors to Beaulieu can follow an egg-citing Trail and collect a sweet treat at the end. At Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538, youngsters can have an Easter-themed face painting, and all the family can play with fun Victorian toys and games. If you visit over the Easter weekend, you may even get to meet the Easter Bunny!

Take a look around the National Motor Museum’s stunning collection of over 250 vehicles, from world land speed record breakers to F1 racers, plus quirky motoring oddities including a Cadbury Crème Egg car. Journey through 100 years of motoring in the museum’s pod-ride ‘Wheels’ and visit Jack Tucker’s Garage, which recreates the sights, sounds and smells of a typical country garage from the 1930s.

Don’t miss one of the first opportunities to see the museum’s fascinating new display, For Britain & For The Hell Of It. Opening for the Easter holidays, it features Beaulieu’s iconic land speed record cars and tells the story of British pluck, technological mastery and national pride – alongside new vehicles with a more alternative land speed heritage. A moving audio-visual presentation transports you back to a golden age of invention, courage and patriotism and introduces you to those who are keeping the record breaking dream alive today.

There’s a lot more for all the family at Beaulieu this Easter; take a ride on the high-level Monorail or see the sights from the replica open-topped London Bus. Budding drivers can get behind the wheel on the Mini Car Driving Circuit and younger visitors can get physical on Dipstick’s Mini Motor Play Trail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars.

In World of Top Gear see actual vehicles created by presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for some of their most ambitious challenges on the TV show over the years.

Fans of the show will experience the Top Gear ‘Enormodrome’ which recreates the feel of the Top Gear studio.  As well as regular features from the programme including the Cool Wall and Celebrity ‘Lap Time’ boards, visitors can watch an exclusive video presentation from behind-the-scenes at the Top Gear HQ with Jeremy, Richard and James plus clips from the show featuring the cars on display.

Visit the Secret Army Exhibition, to learn about the training of special agents at Beaulieu during WWII, and stroll through the beautifully kept gardens, where in April a colourful mass of crocuses and daffodils that surround Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.  Over fifteen species of daffodils bloom at various times during the flowering season, ensuring a spectacular show lasting many weeks. 

Beaulieu is open from 10am every day so hop along to Beaulieu for some Easter fun.  For further information telephone 01590 612345 or visit: www.beaulieu.co.uk

#Beaulieu #Easter

Discover the Magic of Narnia at Chatsworth this Christmas 9 November to 23 December 2013

Chatsworth

Nativity at Chatsowrth

Chatsworth will transport visitors to the magical land of Narnia this Christmas as the house undergoes a spectacular transformation to bring C.S. Lewis's classic tale of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' to life from 9 November to 23 December.

The lower floors will be decorated with trees, snow and sleighs to recreate the wintry wonderland discovered by Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they burst through the wardrobe for the first time.

Visitors will be taken on a magical journey as they experience London in wartime in the North Entrance Hall before walking through wardrobe doors surrounded by furs to enter the Narnian forest under the icy grip of the White Witch.

The Oak Room is the perfect setting for Mr Tumnus's cosy house inside a tree while the grandeur of the Painted Hall lends itself to becoming the icy palace of the White Witch with many more surprises to discover in this once in a lifetime experience.

Chatsworth

Children will love finding hidden clues on the way, while costumed guides will help bring the story to life. Other favourite characters from the tale including Aslan himself will make this year's festive visit to Chatsworth a very special event for all the family.

Other festive dates include the popular Christmas markets now taking place over 10 days (November 14 to 24); the famous farmyard nativity plays featuring real animals; twilight evenings in the house as well as floral demonstrations and wreath making. Christmas also arrives at the farm shop with a range of Christmas foods, gifts and treats in stock from 18 October. The farm shop will be open until midday 24 December.

Chatsworth closes on 23 December, and re-opens its restaurants and shops from January 6 2014.

Please check the website for dates, times and prices as applicable. www.chatsworth.org

Autumn in all its Glory at Harewood House: 26th October to 3rd November

Harewood House

Imagination and originality are a major theme this Autumn and this half term’s ‘Autumn Glory’ is bursting with creativity.  Help us build an extraordinary sculptural paper forest, let your ideas run riot and learn without even knowing you are!  We’ve worked hard to ensure there’s something for everyone, inside and out, and surrounded by the glorious colours and shapes of autumn, we’re not short on inspiration.  This year, the colours are forecast to be more fabulous than ever so we’ve pulled out all the stops to ensure that the magnificence of autumn is woven through all of our events and activities.  It’s also your last chance to let off steam in the gardens and grounds, and enjoy a visit to the House ahead of closing for the winter for conservation,  so we can get ready for the big opening in 2014.

We like creativity, so this year, visitors to Harewood can take part in The Big Draw.  This inspirational campaign is designed to get everyone drawing, from professionals to amateurs, whether you’re adept or amateur, enthused or just inquisitive about what you can create.  Help Harewood build a ‘sculptural forest’ by designing and decorating your own leaf to hang on twine branches which, when complete, will form a great communal paper forest.  Held in the Education Suite at Harewood, you can either join in the fun there, or visit the website for a template and let your creativity flow.  The Big Draw is part of the first ever Family Arts Festival, a national programme designed with families in mind and which takes place in late October to early November.  The Big Draw aims to encourage the nation to celebrate and get drawing, whatever your skills and whatever your age.  Free to Harewood members, entry to Autumn Glory is included in a Grounds ticket for all other visitors – which includes access to Below Stairs. (Upgrade available for entry to the House).

In addition, there are the traditional activities for everyone, from children’s craft activities including potato and leaf printing, seasonal food demonstrations in the Old Kitchen with an amazing range of apples from the Northern Fruit Group and Harewood’s orchards, an interactive literature trail, storytelling in the bookshop and a carved pumpkin display.  Plus there are our feathered friends in the Bird Garden, the Adventure Playground, the extraordinary ruins of Harewood Castle and walks to enjoy.   

Creative Fun At The National Motor Museum 6th – 29th August

This August, visitors to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, can take part in a host of fun and creative Summer Activities inspired by the museum’s outstanding collections.
Sponsored by The Caravan Club, the sessions will take place in the museum on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6th – 29th August, between 12:00 – 4:00pm.

There will be a range of activities on offer including construction, colouring, and crafting.  Families can take part in a Towcar Challenge to design, build and road test their very own car and caravan.

Come along and find out more about the wonderful Motoring Collections housed at Beaulieu while you enjoy creating your own artwork and vehicles.

The activities are included in the price of your entrance ticket to Beaulieu, adult £21, child (5-12) £10.50, youth (13-17) £12.50 or £55 for a family ticket (2 adults +3 children/youths or 1 adult + 4 children/youths).

No booking is required, just drop-in and join in the exciting sessions. Visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk for more details.

Autumn Glory: Half Term At Harewood - Halloween

Photography by David Oakes

Get Out and About, Get Dressed Up, Get Carving or Just Get Spooked
Saturday 27 October - Sunday 4 November 2012

10.00am - 5.00pm

Perfect for families and lovers of the outdoors, the October half term week at Harewood celebrates Autumn in all its glory.  Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities with a good dose of Halloween fun or marvel in the peaceful beauty of Harewood in its Autumn coat.  Free to Members and with most activities included in the entry fee, Harewood’s renowned Autumn Glory is great value for money for all the family and you can really make the most of Autumn at Harewood:  enjoy walks beneath the ever-changing canopy of gold and learn about our Autumn produce, join in with craft activities and ghostly walks, or just relax and enjoy the countryside, all within easy reach of Leeds and Harrogate.

Take time to enjoy our choice of peaceful walks, perfect for short strolls or longer trails of discovery.  Trees are one of the most beautiful features of the landscape here and Autumn showcases her very best at Harewood.  Join the Harewood gardeners for the Nature’s Harvest trail of discovery through the beautiful Lakeside Gardens to find out about the trees, plants and fungi.  See some of the best trees in Yorkshire, and even the country, such as our Grand Fir growing in the Lakeside Gardens – the tallest in Yorkshire - and a rare Japanese oak, planted by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra in 1908. We’ve also put together a Harewood Walks Booklet (£3) to ensure you don’t miss the very best views and explore all that Harewood has to offer.

Enjoy the fabulous flavours of Autumn with seasonal cookery demonstrations to try and taste, including soups and stews, apples from Harewood’s Walled Garden and more seasonal treats, all held in the Old Kitchen Below Stairs (open from 11am) for added atmosphere and cosiness. Harewood have also gathered together, with the help of the Northern Fruit Group, around 120 varieties of apple to create a stunning display Below Stairs, with cookery demonstrations using apples from Harewood’s own Walled Garden, (activities commence at 11am).  To fully immerse yourself in the world of seasonal fruit and vegetables and see where they grow, visit the Walled Garden to see and sample more of Harewood’s own produce (daily, 11am, 1pm and 3pm).

Perfect for little ones and adults, the Potting Workshops will take place (weekdays 11am and 3pm) outside the Book Shop where you can try your hand at growing your own trees, pot up and get good tips from Harewood’s award-winning gardeners on how to sow, grow and care for your trees.  And make time to pop inside the Book Shop for spontaneous book readings from some of the children’s favourites – a lovely place to chill out and get them interested in reading.

Bring us your carved pumpkins and you could be in the chance of winning a trip to return to Harewood this Christmas to meet Father Christmas (11am to 4pm every day). Or, try your hand at creating spooky Halloween masks and puppets in our Halloween craft days (11.30 to 3.30pm every day).  Children who arrive in Halloween costumes on 31st October will get half price entry... so get busy and dress up!

Get into the Halloween spirit with eerie goings-on and listen to magical and mysterious stories from the ever popular Twilight Tales team.  Make your own lantern to illuminate your journey around the grounds to really get into the spirit.  (Pre-book only, Tues 30 Oct and Thurs 1 Nov, 3 to 5pm, tickets are £7.50 in addition to the entry free, adults free if accompanying a child).  For older children (over 10 years) and adults, join a more grown-up spooky walk and talk (pre-book only 31 October, 6pm to 8pm £10) as the Trio Literati troop tell Harewood’s most chilling ghost stories on Halloween evening on a walk from All Saints’ Church and around the grounds.  Be part of this band of intrepid paranormal investigators....if you dare… If you just fancy a trail, then the self-guided Spooky Trail will take you around the grounds with added mystery and a good dose of humour. 
 
Visit the website to pre-book www.harewood.org/whats-on

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The Treasure Houses of England (THE) is a consortium of 10 of the country’s finest palaces, historic houses and castles. Unique in character, each property has its own magical blend of magnificent architecture, fabulous surroundings, world class collections and family attractions to enjoy.

For more information visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk