SU CARROLL rounds up the very best festive activities to do and things to see close to the coastline this December…
1. TIME TRAVELLERS
Dramatic Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland is fascinating at any time of year, but Christmas is really magical as Charlotte Lloyd Webber and her event design team transform the Castle’s staterooms – each one decorated with elaborate theatrical sets, dazzling festive foliage and adorned with full-on festive splendour.
This year’s theme is A Christmas Through Time. The extravaganza will showcase Christmas from its earliest Viking beginnings and joyful medieval celebrations through to modern-day Father Christmas, with all the sparkle of retro mid-20th century decorating, and onwards to a Christmas of the future.
There will be new interactive features this year including stunning projections and dynamic soundscapes to immerse and engage visitors.
The installation is part of Bamburgh Castle’s Christmas Kingdom which includes further events such as Christmas Wreath Making, carol concerts and musical performances and a Christmas Shop. Father Christmas will be visiting – check website for details.
November 9-January 5, bamburghcastle.com
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This year is the 200th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI. One of those being remembered is Grace Darling. In 1838 22-year-old Grace lived in the Longstone lighthouse with her brother and parents. The steamship Forfarshire was travelling from Hull to Dundee when it was shipwrecked in awful weather close to the lighthouse. With her brother on the mainland, Grace and her father, William, set out in appalling conditions at 4am to row to rocks where nine survivors were stranded. Eventually they were all rescued and this brave girl became a national heroine. Grace sadly died of tuberculosis four years later. The Grace Darling Museum is in the walled garden of Bamburgh Castle where her grandfather worked, three doors away from the house where she was born. bamburgh.org.uk
2. THE KRAMPUS IS COMING
According to the Christmas song, Santa knows when you’ve been naughty, he knows when you’ve been nice. The children in the Yorkshire town of Whitby need to be particularly well behaved because The Krampus will be scouring the streets looking for all the naughty ones.
In parts of Europe on the Eve of the Feast of St Nicholas in early December, Santa visited homes to give gifts to good children. He was accompanied by his dark counterpart The Krampus, who teased and punished all the naughty boys and girls. Krampus festivals, or runs, are popular throughout Europe and the Whitby Krampus Run was established, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
People dressed as the mythical horned creature will make their way through the streets of Whitby town centre.
December 7-8, decadentdrawing.com
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Children will love Whitby Museum with its eclectic collections which include toys and dolls – from Elizabethan wooden dolls to an early Punch and Judy set – kitchen and household utensils, ammonites and massive marine fossils and a natural history collection with specimens of animals, birds and insects demonstrating the Victorian obsession with the natural world. Entry is free for children under 18 in education. It is situated in pretty Pannett Park. whitbymuseum.org.uk
3. ONE AND ONLY
Last year Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrated its 30th anniversary with all the elements people have come to know and love – four days of entertainment, live music and unforgettable fireworks with the return of the famous torchlight parade for the first time since 2019.
At its heart is the world-famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party on New Year’s Eve. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Edinburgh Castle, revellers from around the globe will party their way into 2025 with a feast of entertainment throughout the city centre, live music, giant screens, street performers, pipers, drummers, funfair attractions, delicious street food and drink to create a carnival atmosphere. It’s all topped by the firework display launched from the castle.
December 29-January 1, edinburghshogmanay.com
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The Palace of Holyrood House is the home of Scottish royal history. Visitors can see where Bonnie Prince Charlie partied and where the King stays when in Scotland. Highlights include the impressive stone staircase built for Charles II, the magnificent Royal Dining Room first used by Queen Victoria and the beautiful four hectares of gardens. rct.uk
4. WELSH WELCOME
Cardiff Christmas Market has been running for more than 30 years, right in the heart of the city’s pedestrianised area. The stalls are among the quaint Edwardian and Victorian arcades and modern shops with plenty of places to eat and drink.
The 70 stallholders are a mix of new and returning exhibitors and offer hand-made goods and lots of original work. The market is run by Craft*Folk which was established in 1994 to support genuine artists and crafts people who are looking to promote and sell their work. There is no entrance fee and, thanks to Cardiff city centre’s wide streets, it never feels too busy.
Until December 23, cardiffchristmasmarket.com
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Magnificent Bute Park is in the shadow of Cardiff Castle in the city centre. Christmas at Bute Park returns with an award-winning light trail. Take a stroll through an enchanted world of illumination, uniquely crafted by world leading lighting designers. Expect original audio compositions, dynamic choreography and jaw-dropping illuminations across 15 distinct zones including a unicorn disco, marshmallow toasting and a Christmas village. Until December 31, christmasatbutepark.com
5. SCIENCE MEETS ART
An ornate early 18th-century sundial of exceptional precision and design has gone on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. The Ilay Glynne dial, made around 1715, was used to measure local time from the Sun, providing the most accurate means of setting clocks available at the time. It could be used at any latitude, and its form models the celestial sphere, showing the Sun’s apparent motion around the Earth.
The dial was commissioned by Archibald Campbell, Earl of Ilay and later 3rd Duke of Argyll (1682-1761) who was hugely influential figure in post-Union Scotland. He had control over Royal patronage in Scotland, and managed Scottish affairs, making him the most politically powerful figure in the first half of the 18th century. He was a founder and the first governor of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The dial, signed by Richard Glynne, is the most important surviving example of the growing community of British instrument makers in the 17th century. The dial is of a type first made for figures such as Peter I of Russia and Queen Anne’s consort, Prince George of Denmark. It is made of brass and silvered brass with the Ilay coat of arms and other decorations and has undergone extensive cleaning and conservation work. It is now on permanent display in the Spirit of the Age gallery.
Admission free, nms.ac.uk
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A fascinating exhibition at the National War Museum in Edinburgh Castle is coming to a close. Maps: Memories of the Second World War explores the purpose of a map as much more than just a physical or a functional object and reveals the stories of the people who kept these maps as a memory of a personal journey. During the war over 36 million photographs and 342 million maps were produced by the British Armed Forces alone. One unusual object featured in the display is a silk dress made from escape and evade maps. Until January 25, nms.ac.uk
Discover our coastal Christmas breaks
6. CHRISTMAS AT COLETON
The National Trust’s coastal delight in Devon, Coleton Fishacre, has seen plenty of parties. It was built in the 1920s in the Arts and Crafts style for the D’Oyly Carte family. Impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte was instrumental in the careers of Gilbert and Sullivan. His son Rupert, who built Coleton Fishacre with his wife, Lady Dorothy, took over his father’s artistic endeavours and also succeeded him as chairman of the Savoy Hotel Group.
Christmas would have been one of the highlights of the year at the house overlooking the water at Kingswear. This year there will be traditional decorations – fresh greenery straight from the garden and the twinkle of fairy lights. Outside, take part in a festive trail with characters Dottie and Doyle the Dalmatian pups, as they explore their first Christmas at Coleton Fishacre and search for Father Christmas.
Check out the National Trust website for details of the many seasonal events at other properties.
Until December 31, nationaltrust.org.uk
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Kingswear – on the opposite side of the river to Dartmouth – is linked to Paignton by steam railway. Travel along the English Riviera, past the pretty stations of Goodrington and Churston through the Long Wood bordering the Dart estuary to reach Kingswear where you can cross by foot passenger ferry to Dartmouth. In the winter there are special steam train services to capture the Christmas spirit. dartmouthrailriver.co.uk
7. WINTER WONDERLAND
Dundee’s city centre will be transformed this Christmas by a company behind some of the most exciting illuminated events in the country including the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle, Enchanted Forest displays in Pitlochry and Edinburgh Zoo Christmas Nights.
NL Productions will create a Christmas Village with a Christmas Market, funfair, an ice rink and an immersive Father Christmas experience. The Christmas Village will reflect Dundee’s rich cultural heritage while also showcasing innovative and engaging entertainment. The aim is to have a mix of traditional festive attractions, and family-friendly activities. Dates TBC, visitdundee.com
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The V&A Dundee is Scotland’s design museum and one of the current delights is the exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk. Kimono translates from Japanese as “the thing to wear” and this exhibition follows the kimono’s journey from 17th century Japan to present-day fashion. From samurai style and geisha chic, to Jedi knights and rock stars, explore the fascinating story of the significance, appeal and influence of this iconic garment. There are around 300 garments, accessories, paintings, prints, photographs and film clips from the V&A and collections around the world. This is the final chance to see these rare works together on the last stop of the exhibition’s international tour. Ends January 5, vam.ac.uk
8. SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS
Some of the best-loved Christmas songs will be performed in beautiful locations around the country by a 16-piece chamber orchestra tour. The Christmas Orchestra will visit 15 breathtaking UK locations, including many on the coast.
Patrick Bailey, music director and arranger of The Christmas Orchestra, has conducted concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and many others and given concerts worldwide as well as broadcasting on BBC Radio 3. As an arranger, he has had music played by BBC orchestras, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Opera House.
“We’ve put together a programme of our favourite Christmas songs including music from the best Christmas films and timeless classics,” he says.
They will include popular sing-along classics and relive the nostalgia with compositions from iconic films such as Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holiday, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, The Grinch and Polar Express.
Performances are an immersive experience that is complemented by a spectacular light show. Various dates in Bristol, Brighton, Exeter, Cardiff, Swansea, Poole and Southampton, thechristmasorchestra.co.uk
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In Southampton, one of the stops on the tour, the Christmas market has been noted as one of the best in the country by The Times. There are the usual food and drink stalls, craft stalls, lots of different vendors, a Christmas lights trail, grotto, live music and spectacular illuminations of The Bargate. November 15-January 5, visitsouthhampton.co.uk
9. HUNSTANTON’S FINEST
Passionate food and drink producers in west Norfolk have come together to promote their goods, with regular mini food festival events. North Norfolk has the better-known towns of Cromer, Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham but traders in Hunstanton, often overlooked, want to show that west Norfolk has a lot to offer too – great coastal views and beaches, an attractive Old Town area with classical attributes such as lovely architecture and traditional beach huts.
The winter West Norfolk Food and Drink Festival is only the fourth event to be held but already more than 35 producers can be expected alongside street vendors. The December event will coincide with the switching on of the Christmas lights in Hunstanton. December 1, norfolk-deli.co.uk
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As well as a traditional beach offering, Hunstanton has a lot to offer families. There’s a proper family-run amusement park, promenade, ice creams, fish and chips and lots of shops. There’s also a lovely Sea Life Centre with a penguin beach, an outdoor otter river, Inca terns and a seal hospital and rescue centre. You can explore the jungle with the Rainforest Rangers and see lots of fish, turtles, sharks and rays. visitsealife.com
10. ROYAL WILLIAM YARD
Christmas shopping in the Grade I listed Royal William Yard, a former Royal Navy victualling yard in Plymouth, offers the chance to look for gifts against an old-fashioned backdrop to put you in a festive mood.
The Yard was transformed from a derelict site into an award-winning waterfront destination filled with bustling restaurants, bars and shops, sitting alongside a lively artistic community and a packed calendar of events. It transforms into a winter wonderland in the festive season, with Christmas markets, places to shop and socialise, and illuminations twinkling throughout the historic site.
There are six Festive Good Food and Craft Markets in December, showcasing the South West’s best artisans, makers and producers. The festive market will be inside the Grade I Melville building and outside in its courtyard. There’s a free shuttle bus from Plymouth’s City Centre on market days. December 1-18, royalwilliamyard.com
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Devonport Park is less than two miles from the Royal William Yard and is known affectionately as ‘the People’s Park’. Built 150 years ago it is the oldest formal public park in the city and offers wonderful views of the River Tamar. Recently restored, it has a fascinating heritage trail, a memorial garden for 2,000 people of Devonport who died in the First World War, a water fountain and an adventure play area for children. visitplymouth.co.uk
COMING SOON
Who can forget Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott’s film Gladiator: “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius…” Stirring stuff.
A new exhibition, in partnership with the British Museum and Museums in Colchester and Ipswich captures all the romance of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.
Gladiators of Britain, which starts a national tour at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery in January, will explore the often-overlooked history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain.
From AD 43, Britain was part of the vast Roman Empire for around 370 years, during which time the Romans not only introduced towns (including Durnovaria, or Dorchester today) roads, permanent military garrisons and centralised government but other important aspects of their culture. Not least, armed combat as a public spectacle.
The exhibition will explore what brutal spectacles would have entertained the people living in this time by bringing together some of the country’s most iconic and important objects to tell the story of the venues and the people who died to the roar of the crowd.
The objects on display include a bone figurine depicting a gladiator of the murmillo class, found in Colchester, 1st–2nd century AD (pictured). January 25-May 11, dorsetmuseum.org
