Celebrating Christ-tide in Tudor style at Blakesley Hall

12 & 13 December 2015

A sneak preview of Tudor preparations for Christmas is the treat hidden behind the doors of Blakesley Hall in Birmingham on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, when the clock is turned back to the 16th century!

With Christmas being one of the most important feasts in the Tudor year, the house will be bustling with historic re-enactors, recreating many different aspects of the Tudor household, from decking the hall with boughs of holly and ivy to preparing some of the meals which will be gracing the Christ-tide feast table, whilst music performed on traditional instruments drifts through the hall, including some tunes which still form part of our Christmas celebrations today.

“This was a time before Christmas trees and greeting cards, and yet there are many traditions which were popular in Tudor times which we celebrate today,” says Steve Spencer, museum team manager for Blakesley Hall. “This was when turkey became the bird of choice for the Christmas dinner table, particularly popular with Henry VIII, and when the 12 days of Christmas were a much-needed break from daily toil for everyone.”

The event will not be limited to the hall itself; handbell ringers and musicians will be in the barn, Yuletide treats will be served in the tea room, and a small market will offer local crafts and confections for sale.

The Tudor Christmas celebration takes place from 11am to 3pm on 12 & 13 December. Admission is £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £6 for children. Tickets can be booked online at www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blakesley or by calling 0121 348 8120. Pre booking is strongly advised.

Although less than 20 hours will pass between Blakesley Hall closing on Sunday 13 and reopening on Monday 14 December, nearly 300 years will have elapsed for the historic house’s timeline, with visitors on 14 & 15 December invited to join Victorian Christmas themed tours, including a Victorian Magic Lantern Show. “For Victorians, these animated projections would have been the very latest advance in cutting-edge entertainment – the forerunner of TV, and indeed, used for satire and political comment as well as pure entertainment!” adds Steve.

The Victorian Christmas Tour and Magic Lantern Show costs £8 per person, with tours at 12 noon and 2.00pm. Pre booking essential.

Then on Wednesday 16 December there will be the opportunity to take part in Blakesley Hall’s Christmas pomander making workshop and create a little bit of Tudor Christmas to take home. The Christmas pomander making workshop takes place from 2pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 16 December, tickets are £8 per person. Pre booking is strongly advised.

For more details, or to book tickets for any of these events, please contact Blakesley Hall on 0121 348 8120 or visit http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blakesley

Blakesley Hall is located on Blakesley Road, Birmingham, B25 8RN.

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

PRO – Birmingham Museums

Tel: 0121 285 9899

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk