Inspiration
BIRMINGHAM
CHRISTMAS AT
BLENHEIM PALACE
23rd Nov-6th Jan
This Christmas, Blenheim Palace
will be transformed, both inside
and out, showcasing the biggest
Christmas ever to take place at
the Oxfordshire World Heritage
Site. The new indoor Cinderella
experience takes over the Palace
State Rooms during the day,
with the Stepmother’s drawing
room set for Afternoon Tea,
the Ugly Sister’s room scattered
with clothes, books and shoes,
and Cinderella’s room home to
her delicate hand-made gown.
Visit the crystal world of The
Fairy Godmother and the glass-
inspired ballroom. At night, a
fantastic Christmas light trail
illuminates the parkland with
over a million pea-lights, lasers
and projections.
There’s also a Christmas
market in the Great Court, filled
with a variety of hand-picked gifts
and tempting treats for foodies.
www.blenheimpalace.com/christmas
MANCHESTER
ICE VILLAGE
9th Nov-5th Jan
Cathedral Gardens will be
transformed into Britain’s first-
ever Ice Village: an icy domain
featuring an Ice Sculpture Cave,
Ice Bar, Ice Rink, Santa’s Grotto
and a Woodland Market with
winter games, Christmas market
stalls and live entertainment. A
vast steam train crafted entirely
from ice is the starting point for
an unforgettable journey into the
Ice Cave, where Santa’s team of
helpers are busy making toys in
time for Christmas – stunningly
realised in ice and snow.
Incredibly, everything from the
most delicate ice robin to Santa’s
frozen throne is carved using 250
tonnes of solid ice. As well as the
Ice Rink, further winter games
and activities can be enjoyed,
and there’s a daily programme
of free festive activities and
entertainment for all the family,
ranging from craft sessions for
kids to live performances by local
Christmas choirs.
www.icevillage.co.ukNORWICH
THURSFORD’S
CHRISTMAS
SPECTACULAR
6th Nov-23rd Dec
Thursford Museum’s Christmas
Spectacular has attracted over
5.4 million visitors to date
and is the largest Christmas
show in the country. It is set
in the magical surroundings
of mechanical organs and
fairground carousels, with a
cast of 130 professional singers,
dancers and musicians – many of
whom are West End performers.
The three-hour performance
delivers an extravaganza of
non-stop singing, dancing,
music, humour and variety. It’s
a fast-moving celebration of
the festive season featuring an
eclectic mix of both seasonal
and year-round favourites,
with famous and much-loved
chart toppers being performed
alongside traditional carols.
www.thursford.comFESTIVE FUN
From skating rinks to
ice sculptures, the
run-up to Christmas
has plenty to offer
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Flight Time
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NOVEMBER 2018




