There’s no getting away from it - the nights are drawing in and there’s a definite crisp feel to the mornings! So here in the beautiful Cotswolds we say embrace the new season – wrap up in your new winter coat and start planning for the most wonderful time of the year…
You’ll be spoilt for choice for places to enjoy magical Christmas lights this year including the wonderful Blenheim Palace festive events. Start your day by escaping the bustle of the high street at the Christmas Market and then journey into the new Alice in the Palace experience, exploring the topsy-turvy world of Alice in Wonderland. Finally as the sun sets, meander along the illuminated light trail including the formal gardens lit up in festive colour, brighter than ever before with lasers, projections and thousands of tea lights.
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Sudeley Castle’s hugely popular Spectacle of Light returns for its fourth year this winter. Visitors will follow some of the magical characters from Peter Pan on this beautiful night-time trail. Taking place on selected dates from 30 November until 30 December, the Spectacle of Light will see the historic castle and gardens transformed by an illuminated display of light and colour as darkness falls on the Cotswold Hills. Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and the villainous Captain Hook will all feature in the spectacle. A host of other dramatic lighting installations promise to make this year’s event the best yet.
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Voted number 1 last year as being Britain's Favourite Christmas Light Display, Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum will be highlight of your Christmas celebrations this year. The fairies have been up to mischief this winter, casting spells over the trees to transform it into an Enchanted wood. Wind your way through the trees to discover an enchanted wonderland of light and magic, meeting woodland characters along the way. With an all new trail to explore, new light displays to discover and new magical characters to meet, this is Enchanted Christmas as you’ve never seen it before.
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Based in the heart of the Broadway, the Lygon Arms is not only the perfect spot to stay for the town’s iconic late night Christmas market, but also the best place to relax with a ‘Spa’kle Afternoon Tea’. This unique offering includes a festive afternoon tea with a cocktail, a personalized 25 minute spa treatment of your choice, robe, slippers and full use of spa facilities. Why not add to the festive cheer and enjoy a meal in the Lygon Bar and Grill where the menu has been transformed to match the Christmas spirit.
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The Cotswolds is a sparkling place to visit over the festive period and there’s no better place to get into the Christmas spirit than staying in a cosy thatched cottage in a pretty Cotswold village with Character Cottages. The festive season is all about Christmas movies by a crackling fire, a warming toast in a traditional 16th-century pub after a brisk wintry walk and getting into the festive spirit with some late-night Christmas shopping.
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Ellenborough Park are doing an exciting wreath making masterclass with festive afternoon tea on three special days in November and December. Starting with a glass of mulled wine, guests will join Donna Beaver who has dressed the hotel each Christmas to discover more about creating a show-stopping Christmas wreath for the front door.
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Sprinkle a little Christmas Magic this year and enjoy a festive event on the Royal Highgrove Estate. Celebrate with friends and family at Highgrove with one of their exclusive dining experiences. Start with a Kir Royale before a seasonal lunch or indulge in a delicious afternoon tea in the beautifully decorated Orchard Restaurant – guaranteed to put you in joyful spirits. Finish off with a visit to the Estate Shop and choose from luxury food and drink to clothing, home accessories and decorations - everything you need for the perfect Christmas gift.
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The dark of winter will soon descend across us but at Cotswold Photography Tours we never put our cameras away Join one of their ‘photographic winter specials’in late November and December to capture awesome Cotswold locations showcasing their Christmas lights and colour. Join a Cotswold Photography Tour with a difference and take home some spectacular winter scenes of the amazing Cotswolds.
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Experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas in Broadway with the return of the annual late night shopping events on Friday 29th November and Friday 6th December 2019. With a stunning display of Christmas lights illuminating the famous high street, relax and enjoy wonderful independent shops, festive food, music, and entertainment for all ages.
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The Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden are hosting festive music and merriment on 19th December including Christmas classics and carols in the Jackrabbit restaurant, a delicious meal and singalong.
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Be inspired to create a beautiful arrangement for your front door, stairwell, mantelpiece or Christmas table at Daylesford this Christmas. Their floral experts will show you how to make seasonal wreaths and garlands using natural foliage and blooms foraged from the Daylesford farm. Weather and season permitting each course includes a guided tour of our organic cutting garden, where we gather blooms and other natural materials to incorporate into floral designs.
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Cirencester is a magical place to visit at Christmas. The Advent Festival on 30th November starts with a special advent gift market and arts & crafts market in the Market Place followed by live music and entertainment, fair rides and plenty of local delicious food and drink. The day culminates at 7pm with a local celebrity turning on the Christmas lights accompanied by sensational fireworks which erupt from the church tower. Cirencester Christmas Markets then run until 8th December when you can the lovely courtyards and shopping mews and visit the fabulous Corinium Museum.
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Fancy a break from the hustle and bustle of the modern Christmas experience? Why not take some time out to encounter some 17th-century winter traditions at beautiful Dyrham Park? Step away from the tinsel and baubles and learn about some historic traditions or stretch your legs, take stock and reconnect with nature. There’ll be choirs at weekends, costumed storytellers, children's crafts and trails through the parkland, a poetry trail and subtle decorations crafted from dried flowers.
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Enjoy a winter wonderland in Winchcombe this Christmas at the historic Cotswold town’s traditional Christmas celebration. On Tuesday 3rd December a warm Winchcombe welcome awaits in the town’s many shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants, beautifully lit with sparkling Christmas trees and lights. With sweet treats, foodie delights, festive family fun and gifts galore as well as a bustling Christmas market showcasing a seasonal selection of goods and crafts, there’s something for everyone. The late-night Christmas shopping evening takes place from 5pm until 8pm in the bustling historic town.
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With Christmas just around the corner, enjoy festive films, a Christmas show for the whole family, and three evenings of live festive music including a performance from the award winning Flowers Band at the Bacon Theatre. And – continuing the festive spirit into the new year, Promenade Productions - Cheltenham’s local amateur dramatic group are back with their annual pantomime Robin Crusoe.
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Bring your party to Stratton House Hotel this Christmas and celebrate in style in the Cotswolds. Bring your friends or family to enjoy all the festive fun and celebrations in December where the beautiful function suite will be dressed for the festive occasion, the bar well stocked and the resident DJ ready to entertain.
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