Share in The Newt Magic this Christmas
November 28th, 2024“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
– Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
December is a magical, liminal time as we step into the whirlwind of the festive season. Constellations of twinkling lights reflect the starry night sky. The quiet beauty of the garden shimmers. The House & Garden and Farm Shop glisten with gifts, farm fresh produce and an abundance of indulgent treats.
Our festive calendar is filled with opportunities to get together and share in The Newt magic. Visit in December for a Christmas Showcase Weekend (7- 8 December), creative workshops, walks around our winter gardens and more. Join us in Somerset to celebrate, pause a while, and spread the festive cheer.
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What’s on in December
Enchanted Christmas Quest
1 December – 24 December / Included in Membership
Young adventures can search for willow sheep around the garden for clues on how to find the magical, elusive White Hart – and good fortune. Maps can be collected from The Threshing Barn and traded in on completion for a sweet reward.
Foraged Christmas Decorations
3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 December, 9.30am – 3pm / £150
Using natural materials foraged from the woodlands and gardens, Floriculturist Maiko Ishida will guide you through making a host of decorations to take home. A mindful and rewarding festive workshop to bring Christmas cheer and create decorations to cherish for years to come.
Dawn Walk: Enchanted Trail
5 December, 8am – 10am / £45
Join Head of Programmes, Arthur Cole, on a stroll through the quietly beautiful winter gardens before the estate awakes. Take in the soft, watery shades painting the landscape and the crisp, clean lines of sculptural trees, before a warming breakfast at the Garden Café.
Christmas Cards & Calligraphy
3, 4, 5 December, 10am – 2pm / £150
Step inside our Christmas craft grotto and make your own stylish cards from scratch before trying your hand at calligraphy to lend artistic flourish to your festive wishes. The perfect pause to let your creativity flow during the busy run-up to the big day.
Pressed Flower Bauble Workshop
7, 8 December, 11am & 2pm / £50
Join flower artist Beth Kendall of Wilder & Wren, to create ceramic baubles adorned with pressed Cottage Garden botanicals and wildflowers. You’ll create three personalised baubles, perfectly packaged to gift or keep, ready to decorate the Christmas tree.
Newtlings: Willow Wreath Making
7 December, 9am – 12pm / £25
Embark on an exciting morning of crafting with willow! Children will weave their own small wreaths using willow branches before decorating with foraged flora such as holly, ivy, and pinecones for a delightful Somerset-inspired keepsake to bring cheer to your home.
Newtlings: Willow Decoration Making
7 December, 1pm – 4pm / £25
Little ones will discover the joy of crafting unique decorations, learning traditional techniques such as weaving and wire-wrapping with natural and recycled materials. Projects will range from willow stars to ornaments, encouraging creativity in a fun environment.
Newtlings: Beeswax Candle Making
8 December, 9am – 12pm / £25
Join us for a morning of Christmas creativity. Children will make hand-rolled candles using natural beeswax and pour melted wax into natural moulds in this hands-on session to unleash their inner artist and create beautiful, fragrant candles to take home.
Newtlings: Crafting Christmas Elves
8 December, 1pm – 4pm / £25
Children can let their imaginations run wild on an afternoon session to craft their own mini ‘forest elves’. They’ll use gathered woodland treasure and flex their creativity to create a unique artwork celebrating the magic of the forest to bring home.
Christmas Showcase Weekend
7, 8 December, 9.30 – 4.30pm / Included in Newt Membership
Save the dates for a weekend of twinkling lights, drop-in Christmas crafts, fabulous food, drinks, jolly music and carols. Our teams are bringing together their finest wares from around the estate to help you tick off gifting, feasting and celebrating this Christmas.
The Gift of Newt Membership
For a Christmas gift that keeps on giving, consider a Newt Membership for a year. Recipients can experience the gardens throughout the seasons, join in with exclusive events, enjoy our eateries, member only offers, plus gain entry to Partner Gardens across the country.
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