London is, in our humble opinion, the most wonderful place to be in the lead up to Christmas. However, even I (the ultimate London fangirl) will admit that if you’ve lived here for a long time, some of the capital city’s festive offerings can start to feel a little bit ‘been there, done that, got the (eye-wateringly expensive) mulled wine’.
If that is how you’re feeling this year – fear not. There are plenty of oh-so festive places to explore just outside of our beloved city. Take Waddesdon Manor, for example. This magical manor looks like it has jumped straight from the pages of your favourite fairytale, and is filled with so much Christmas cheer, it gives Whoville a run for its money. So, jump in the car, blast out some Bublé, and road trip your way to this wonderful wintery wonderland.
Christmas at Waddesdon officially begins on November 22, when the charming château transforms into a dazzling display of twinkling lights and jingling bells. This year, the manor’s façade will be illuminated with state-of-the-art animated projections, that will bring the extraordinary architecture to life with spellbinding scenes.
Head inside and be enchanted by the delightful decorations, inspired by three classic tales. Enter the wondrous world of Alice in Wonderland, discover the Snow Queen‘s castle, and fly to Neverland with Peter Pan.
Christmas markets don’t get much more magical than this. In the grounds of what could be a castle straight out of a Disney movie, enjoy the sights and smells of Christmas at every turn. Wooden chalets cocoon festive market stalls, where you can browse and buy to your heart’s content. When you’ve finished shopping, you can then stuff your face with festive grub at the food village. Churros, anyone?
After dark, you can make your way through the brand new light trail through the Aviary gardens. Created in partnership with light art pioneers, Luminism, the impressive installations include 3D birds, giant shooting stars, and tap boxes that allow you to change the colour of the manor’s front.
With festive cheer by the sledge-load, Waddesdon Manor is certainly one to add to the must-visit list!
Find out more and plan your visit here.
📍 You’ll find Waddesdon Manor at Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JH.