COME ALL YE FAITHFUL! ENJOY A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT OSBORNE HOUSE

3rd September 2008

 Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November

Osborne House on the Isle of Wight will once again offer a glimpse into the nineteenth century holiday season when it takes on a festive Victorian scene - complete with Christmas trees, Dickensian characters and traditional entertainments - when it hosts a Victorian Christmas weekend on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November.

From 10am to 4pm each day a cast of costumed characters, from Ebenezer Scrooge to Freddy the tap dancing fish, will entertain visitors with Victorian festivities played out around a Christmas tree. 

Clad in rags and with sooty faces, the Singing Chimney Sweeps will push a handcart lit with period lanterns as they perform popular Victorian carols.  Festive family fun includes hoopla stalls and a coconut shy, a travelling theatre show with magic, juggling and illusion and children can enjoy traditional Punch & Judy.  There will be fast-paced, quick-change performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’, with favourite characters like Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and Marley’s Ghost playing strictly for laughs.  Adding to the atmosphere will be traditional carols and song from the Garden Isle Ladies Barber Shop Choir.

Queen Victoria puts in a guest appearance inside Osborne House, where she and her lady in waiting will give visitors a lesson in Victorian etiquette and hold audience as they recall life at Osborne House over 100 years ago.  Other costumed characters will be on hand to talk about life ‘below stairs’ in the Royal household at Christmas time.

The sumptuous ground floor rooms are bedecked with festive decorations as they were when Queen Victoria celebrated Christmas at Osborne, with colourful trees decorated in the style favoured by Prince Albert, garlands of dried herbs, ferns and floral arrangements. 

Her dining table and sideboard will be groaning with sweet treats - from wobbling jellies and elaborate cakes to intricate confections - copied from photographs taken in the 1890s.  Real gifts given to Queen Victoria by her family will also be on display.

Visitors can also take advantage of a 10% discount on themed gifts in the Osborne shop to pick up some early Christmas shopping during the weekend.

Admission to this wintry event, including entry to the house, costs £11.50 for adults £9.20 for concessions, £5.80 for children and £28.80 for a family ticket.  Reduced entry price for English Heritage members.  Tickets can be pre-booked by calling 0870 333 1181.

For more information on English Heritage properties to visit in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire during the winter months visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 0870 333 1181.