Christmas has come to Warwick Castle – with a light trail through the grounds, an ice skating rink beneath the turrets, stories with Santa in the Great Hall, and a festive food and drink market.
Opened by Britain’s Got Talent sensation Eva Abley, the teenage comedian who stole the heart of the nation as she joked about her cerebral palsy in this year’s final, the seasonal special runs all the way through to January 3.
There were long queues for the early time slots on the Lights Trail either because of first night excitement or people ignoring the advice to turn up only five minutes before their start time, so we headed instead into the Castle Courtyard
6. Exterior shot of the state rooms at Warwick Castle =
Initially it looked rather dull and dark, as if it was closed (the Santa sessions are usually daytime only, but we had a special evening peek) but after a while light projections gave the walls a merrier makeover. Still, we felt they could make more of the area
7. Warwick Castle Great Hall
While we waited to take the grandkids in to the Stories With Santa session, we strolled through the state rooms, each of which had a Christmas tree and festive finery. The Great Hall boasted a huge tree but otherwise lacked somewhat in Christmas spirit.
8. Mr & Mrs Santa Claus at Warwick Castle
Speaking of whom, the Santa sessions start with an elves’ workshop and some fun and games as your little angels are enlisted by Mrs Claus (from a TV monitor) to help repair the compass on which Father Christmas depends – and save Christmas Day.
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