High Ho Ho Ho! Father Christmas lands at Clifford's Tower
Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 November 2011
He is used to seeing the city from the air as he flies overhead on his sleigh, but visitors to Clifford’s Tower on Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 November can join St Nicholas himself to enjoy seasonal stories and skyline sights when English Heritage’s Victorian Father Christmas takes up residence for two days.
“This is a fun experience for all the family, with children able to listen to our Victorian Father Christmas as he tells Yuletide stories from the past to remind them to keep on their best behaviour as 25 December approaches,” says Jon Hogan, English Heritage’s regional events manager. “This is a world away from the commercialised Santa found in department stores, harking back to a simpler time, when presents didn’t require batteries and a Satsuma was a welcome gift!”
Families are welcome to bring a camera to capture their youngsters with Father Christmas as a seasonal souvenir of their visit.
The storytelling takes place in the chapel at Clifford’s Tower, with visitors afterwards invited to continue up the stairs to the spectacular ramparts walk, which offers the best uninterrupted views over the city centre and beyond, including over towards York Minster and even as far afield as the North York Moors.
Adults can also enjoy a treat during the weekend, with sampling sessions of some of English Heritage’s finest wines, liqueurs, jams and chutneys in the site shop. There is also a wide range of gift ideas suitable for all ages, from stocking-filler toys and games to books – and even full size replica swords!
Father Christmas will be at Clifford’s Tower between 11.00am and 4.00pm on 26 & 27 November, with regular storytelling sessions throughout the day. Admission prices, which include access to the Tower and the rampart walk, are just £3.90 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and £2.30 for children, with a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) available for just £10.10. Clifford’s Tower is open every weekend throughout the winter (excluding 24 & 25 December and 1 January) from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Visitors can also take advantage of free downloadable podcast guides, in which historian Julian Humphrys provides a brief talk through York’s skyline, from the old Terry’s chocolate factory – the birthplace of the Chocolate Orange – to the Norman church which now houses York’s Centre for Early Music.
For more information, please call 01904 646940 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/cliffords
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
