Following the success of last year’s inaugural Christmas event at The Bishop’s Palace, this December, the Palace will once again be celebrating the joy and magic of the season with a wonderful fortnight of festivities!
The historic rooms of the Palace buildings will each be decorated in a different theme, with a roaring fire in a Medieval setting and hand-made Victorian style decorations. Many of the decorations will be sourced from the Palace Gardens, using seasonal greenery and foliage to enhance the natural aspect of the embellishments. The stunning medieval fireplace in the Entrance Hall will greet visitors and there will be a range of different Christmas trees to be found around the Palace, kindly supplied by Mendip Christmas Trees.
The interior of the Palace will be illuminated, and a Family Trail will take visitors on a path through the Palace & Gardens, leading to traditional nativity scene at the end.
In addition at the weekends, there will be Christmas carols in the Chapel from a range of different local musicians, and Wells Theatre Company will return with ‘A Christmas Carol’ with more actors, musicians and carol singers bringing the timeless tale to life in a wholly unique way, with costumed storytelling by the fire. Mulled wine, mince pies and children’s drinks will be on sale and there will be special Family Christmas Craft sessions at intervals throughout the weekends, including the chance to make some beautiful Christmas decorations. Please visit the website for further details about timings.
On the first weekend of the event (7th – 9th December), Christmas at the Palace will be enhanced by “Deck the Halls” a Winter Flower Festival with the NAFAS South West Area Competitions. There will be hands-on floristry sessions, festival floral displays and the chance to see some truly amazing arrangements in this wonderful setting. Visitors will be treated to fantastical and elaborate floral displays, the largest of which will be up to two metres high, in a variety of themes.
The Medieval Undercroft of the Palace will be filled with designs on a pantomime theme, whilst other rooms will be based on the concepts of “Winter Fantasy” and “A Christmas Carol”
During the long weekend, there will also be an opportunity to watch skilled florists giving hands-on demonstrations with top tip for amateur florists.
The festival will also include a photography competition with classes open to both adults and children.
So if you want that warm, festive feeling, just pull on your Christmas jumper and head down to the Palace this December!
All events during Christmas at the Palace are included in standard admission.
Christmas at the Palace is kindly sponsored by Country Baskets and Mendip Christmas Trees.
