Celebrate a magical Christmas at Chatsworth with Mr Toad
Chatsworth has once again taken inspiration from a children’s classic for its much anticipated festive season. Christmas at Chatsworth with Mr Toad takes visitors through the adventures of those best of animal friends; Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad as they get ready to celebrate Christmas.
With the lower floors of the house transformed into scenes loosely based on Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic Wind in the Willows, the Painted Hall serves beautifully as the Baronial Toad Hall dressed with sumptuous garlands and a magnificent Christmas tree while the house itself is generously decorated with festive flowers and giant Christmas trees throughout.
The enchantment continues with scenes of the riverside folk getting ready to celebrate Christmas at Toad Hall before they come in for a shock. Visitors will discover Mole helping to dress Ratty’s Christmas tree before loading up his little boat with gifts to take to Toad Hall. With many charming scenes unfolding on the journey through the house, this year’s festive celebration is sure to enchant all that come under its magical spell.
This year, Chatsworth is also transforming the Great Chamber and the Guest Bedrooms into the scenes from the evergreen story to extend the festive route throughout more of the house.
Children will enjoy discovering the hiding places of the little mice all along the route, placing their wish on the Wishes Trees and dressing up in the costumes made especially for Christmas with Mr Toad by the in house textiles team.
Once again, it’s been a huge effort from the talented Chatsworth in house team with staff from Textiles; Housekeeping; Joinery and Gardening coming together to create the costumes for characters and guides; painting backdrops; making scene-setting items such as Ratty’s jetty and Badger’s house and putting together the garlands and other festive flower displays.
Tickets for visits at Christmas now offer timed entry into the house to reduce queuing times. Visitors planning to make a trip to the house this festive season are advised to book in advance to secure their time slot and make the most of their visit. Free parking is included with all online bookings.
Christmas at Chatsworth with Mr Toad continues until 3rd January 2016. For more information visit http://www.chatsworth.org/attractions-and-events/christmas-at-chatsworth
