A spooky Victorian Christmas tradition - after dark at Brodsworth Hall

Friday 7 and Saturday 8 December 2012

A Victorian Christmas tradition will be resurrected at Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster, when a small group of guests are invited into the country house’s entrance hallway after hours for two evenings of spooky storytelling.

On Friday 7 and Saturday 8 December, visitors will have the unique experience of entering the house after dark. Once inside the shadowy hallway, which will be lit by flickering candle-light, they can take the seat to enjoy an evening of spooky tales, told by expert re-enactor, Kathy Hipperson. Taking on the character of the Victorian owner of the Hall, she will captivate visitors with a collection of spine-tingling tales.

“Some of the greatest ghost stories in literature were written in Victorian times, but few people are aware that the terrifying tales written by authors like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allan Poe were frequently incorporated into Christmas celebrations rather than those of Halloween,” explains the event’s organiser, Jon Hogan of English Heritage. “In fact, these tales became more popular as you head towards the shortest day of the year as a way of entertaining people during the long, cold nights.”

Visitors to Brodsworth Hall’s “Ghost Stories for Christmas” event will be embraced by the dark house, which makes all kinds of creaks as the house cools in the evening. Just like in Victorian times, there is no heating in Brodsworth Hall, so participants are recommended to wrap up warm – or it may be the cold rather than the story that causes shivering!

Each evening’s stories run from 7.30pm until approximately 9.15pm, with a short interval. Seating in Brodsworth Hall’s entrance foyer is limited, so places must be prebooked. Tickets are £7.50 for adults or £7.00 for concessions, with a 50p discount for English Heritage members. The event is not suitable for children aged under 11, and parental caution is urged for under 16s

Places can be prebooked by calling Brodsworth Hall on 01302 722598. More information is available at www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworthhall

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)

Tel: 01904 500698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk