Christmas at Castle Howard: Following a record-breaking 2022, Castle Howard launch their 2023 Peter Pan-themed Christmas event
The North Yorkshire stately home is transformed into Neverland, running until 7th January.
Iconic North Yorkshire stately home Castle Howard have opened their 2023 Christmas event, Christmas in Neverland. Last year’s 2022 event saw a record-breaking visitor numbers, which was a landmark moment for the stately home in the context of post-pandemic recovery.
Christmas in Neverland will run from 11th November to 7th January. Castle Howard’s 300-year-old House is transformed with floristry, installations, props, soundscapes, and projections, creating a Peter Pan-inspired festive experience. Due to popular demand, Castle Howard extended the run which was originally billed to close on the 2nd of January.
Charlotte Lloyd Webber Event Design have created the magical installations inside the House for the sixth year running, including a Mermaid’s Lagoon, Captain Hook’s Cabin, and the Jolly Roger. The team have prioritised sustainability and used recycled materials including paper and glass in their designs. imitating the dog, a northern theatre company specialising in digital projections, have joined the team for the first time to create immersive projections and soundscapes.
Abbi Ollive, Director of Marketing and Visitors, said: ‘Christmas at Castle Howard is a special event for so many of our visitors and we’re thrilled to launch our 2023 experience. The grand Castle Howard halls have been transformed by the talented CLW Event Design and imitating the dog teams into a festive treat full of creative storytelling, designed to delight and inspire our visitors. The Peter Pan story is beautiful, nostalgic, and heart-warming, and we’re hoping everyone that experiences it rediscovers their inner child and leaves believing in fairies.’
This year Castle Howard is also offering accessible events to open the experience to even more people, including British Sign Language interpreted guided tours and Calm Sessions.
Castle Howard’s charity partner for 2023 is Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity), and the stately home are delighted to fundraise for them this Christmas. The magical adventures of Peter Pan and the Darling children have captured the imagination of children and adults for generations, but for families at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), JM Barrie’s story carries an even greater significance.
Author JM Barrie gifted the rights to the Peter Pan story to GOSH in 1929, and to this day the royalties continue to benefit the seriously ill children from across the UK who are treated at the hospital. This special experience at Castle Howard will continue this legacy. Visitors to the site will also get the opportunity to donate to GOSH Charity when they purchase tickets or in the Chapel.. GOSH Charity raises money to fund the hospital’s most urgent needs, and all the money raised over the festive season will help get as many children as possible home to their families in time for Christmas. It will also help make the hospital feel like a home from home for children whose treatment needs to continue over Christmas.
Father Christmas is also paying a special visit to the stately home. Visitors can book for Father Christmas in the Castle to meet him in the main House, or Santa’s Grotto to meet him in the Stable Courtyard. Wreath Making is also available, plus a special opportunity to meet Design Director of CLW Event Design, Adrian Lillie, and enjoy a Guided Tour from his creative perspective.
Christmas at Castle Howard previously starred in documentary programmes on Channel 4. Castle Howard Through the Seasons, a four-part docu-series, was released in November 2022, and one-off Christmas at Castle Howard was released in November 2021.
British-grown Christmas Trees, local Christmas supplies from the Castle Howard Farm Shop, and beautiful keepsakes from the Gift Shop and Bauble Emporium will also be on offer over the festive period. Christmas Afternoon Teas are also available, plus a festive menu in the Courtyard Café and Christmas Marquee.
Dates
Tickets: castlehoward.co.uk
Christmas at Castle Howard events:
- Christmas in Neverland – in the main House, 11th November – 7nd January
- Father Christmas in the Castle – in the main House, 25th November – 24th December
- Santa’s Grotto – in the Stable Courtyard, 1st – 24th December
- Christmas in Neverland Guided House Tour: Meet the Designers – November 17th, 24th, 1st December
- Wreath Making Workshop – November 27th & 28th
- The Darlings’ Afternoon Tea – various dates in November and December
Father Christmas in the Castle Access Performances
- BSL Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 12th December, 5.15pm
- Relaxed Performance: Wednesday 13th December, 6.30pm (To book tickets for this performance, please email sales@castlehoward.co.uk)
Christmas in Neverland Guided House Tour: Meet the Designers – BSL Interpreted
- 1st December