Christmas at Gilbert White’s House & Gardens is a jam packed festive events.
Starting off with White’s Christmas Craft Fair on the 2nd December. This year at White’s Christmas Craft Fair pick up some locally handmade gifts for your loved ones (or just treat yourself!)
We will have a range of stalls at our stunning 16th Century barn selling beautifully handcrafted locally made items.
The historic house will also be decking the halls with boughs of holly, both in its festive Winter appearance and through song. Yuletide performances will be given by the Prize Old Mummers and Alton Community Choir in the atmospheric Great Parlour. Traditional mulled wine and mince pies will be available from the old kitchen, visitors can try a sip of Gilbert White’s gin.
Visitors will also be able to find Gilbert White’s brewers for a tasting session. During this time of year, the brewery produces a wass-ale, which is based on a traditional Scottish strong ale recipe and includes hints of Christmas pudding flavour.
The garden will also be presenting its Winter wonder and there will be a wassail led in traditional costume, where visitors can help to promote a good harvest for the coming year by singing to the orchard trees.
On the 5th the museum is hosting an exclusive event, called Merry Beermas – Brewery Tour & Tastings, this is your chance to Enjoy this exclusive opportunity to visit the house after hours in all its glorious festive decoration. Join Collections Manager Kimberley James for an up close and personal look at Gilbert White’s very own brewing book, take a tour around our nano brewery and onsite brewhouse which dates to 1765, before heading over to The Jubilee Tap to sample some the beer brewed to Gilbert White’s original recipes.
On the 6th December join local artist Julia Morgan will show you how to create your own charming festive Christmas cards and gift tags in this watercolour workshop. Suitable for beginners and improvers to watercolour painting, Julia will show you how to paint evergreen foliage including twisting ivy leaves and berries to create the perfect addition to your presents or cards, just in time for the festive season.
Get fully into the festive spirit on the 7th December with an evening of joyful traditional Christmas music from the fabulous Otterbourne Brass Band. Providing music to Winchester and beyond since 1923, Otterbourne Brass Band regularly compete in national and regional competitions and perform to crowds. Celebrate the yuletide season in our atmospheric 16th century barn with a concert full of festive cheer!
On the 8th December the museum is hosting the first ever White’s Festive Feast. A three course all you can eat festive banquet situated in our atmospheric 16th century barn served by the museum’s fantastic head chef Chris Williams. The spread will include three courses with all the turkey and trimmings you would expect for a perfect Christmas dinner, complete with crackers! Our stunning venue will be decorated for the festive season, with Christmas music and twinkly lights creating a cosy yuletide atmosphere. We will be operating a bar on the evening which will sell a variety of wines, beers, and other beverages to compliment the meal. Christmas jumpers optional!
And finally on the 16th December the museum is Decking the Halls with Garret theatre company. Join to be welcomed into the world of the Victorian Christmas Party, where you will have the chance to play some parlour games, perform some charades, learn a social dance, and sing some carols alongside their 19th century hosts. Each “party” is an hour and a half in length, and the entire time will be filled with festive fun and activities to be enjoyed by all the family. Dressing up is encouraged. The event will take place in our immersive 16th century barn which will be festively decorated for the occasion. Mince pies included on arrival, we will be selling mulled wine post event.
Throughout the month of December the Gilbert White’s House & Gardens is open Tuesday-Sunday 10:30-16:30, and will open till mid-afternoon Christmas Eve. There is a fun Penguin Trail which starts on the 1st December for families to take part in.
For more information on Gilbert White’s House & Garden’s Christmas events and to book see gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk.