Travel & Tourism

Chatsworth House – The Peak District stately home that’s been transformed into a Christmas wonderland

One of the UK's greatest gems, now even more magical.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd November 2024

Chatsworth House is one of the great gems of the UK, and now that winter is rolling around this stately home in the Peak District has been made even more magical.

For this year’s festive transformation, the grand manor house has been filled with twinkling lights, enormous Christmas trees, and light projections.

Around every corner you’ll find another magnificent hall or corridor dressed up to the nines for the season.

There are more than 20 different rooms that you can explore at Chatsworth House this Christmas, and you’ll feel a million miles away from the city.

The house even SMELLS like Christmas, with Chatsworth collaborating with fragrance experts creating scents like chocolate, gingerbread, and the smells of a kitchen on Christmas Day.

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There’s even a Christmas Market in the grounds, with more than 100 exhibitors offering themed gifts, food and drink – you can even toast marshmallows or grab a bratwurst.

Chatsworth House at Christmas. Credit: The Sheff
Chatsworth House at Christmas. Credit: The Sheff
The banquet at Chatsworth House. Credit: The Sheff
The banquet at Chatsworth House. Credit: The Sheff
Every corner is magical. Credit: The Sheff
Every corner is magical. Credit: The Sheff

This year, the Christmas event has been themed around an original new story written exclusively for Chatsworth House by former children’s laureate, Joseph Coelho OBE.

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Henry and the Lion’s Christmas Feast is inspired by the house itself and the life of Henry Cavendish, and follows young Henry and his accomplice, a little lion (inspired by the statues in the Sculpture Gallery).

You’ll spot the book’s illustrations in the scenery and decorations all around Chatsworth House, and see a banquet laid out in the Great Dining Room.

Other events this season will include pop-up theatres, and an illuminated light trail embracing its best-loved garden landmarks.

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Chatsworth House at Christmas. Credit: The Sheff
Chatsworth House at Christmas. Credit: The Sheff
Chatsworth House Christmas Markets. Credit: The Sheff
Chatsworth House Christmas Markets. Credit: The Sheff
Chatsworth House at Christmas. Credit: The Sheff
Chatsworth House at Christmas. Credit: The Sheff

Joseph Coelho, author of ‘Henry and the Lion’s Christmas Feast’ said: “It was such a wonderful challenge to be invited to write a new book that would inspire the Christmas decorations at Chatsworth this year.

“I was really captivated by the life of Henry Cavendish and his amazing scientific experiments, and I got great ideas from visiting the house and grounds, especially going through the Sculpture Gallery when I saw the two great lions. I thought how interesting it would be to put the Chatsworth lion and Henry Cavendish face to face and give them a little adventure together. 

“I hope that visitors come to Chatsworth and, seeing the decorations, are inspired by all the Christmassy mischief that Henry and the lion get up to and leave with that excited bubbly feeling you get when you know that Christmas is around the corner.”

If anything is going to get you in the festive spirit, it’s a wander around Chatsworth House.

Find out more and book your tickets HERE.

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Featured image: The Sheff

Travel & Tourism

BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.

The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.

The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.

With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.

On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.   

BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC

Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions. 

But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.

That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.   

Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.

“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.

Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC

“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”

Fancy it then?

Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.

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Stick your application form in here.

Featured Image – BBC

Travel & Tourism

Travel warning issued as Manchester prepares for big night of music and football

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Travel advice issued ahead of 'really busy' weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other. Credit: TfGM

Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year, as two huge music legends take to the stage and the football season draws to a close.

There’s no denying that Manchester‘s social calendar has been getting busier and the summer starts to arrive, and we all know we’ve got a huge weekend of festivals coming up to celebrate the late May bank holiday, but it actually seems like tonight (20 May) may be one of the busiest nights the city has seen all year so far.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging people to make the most of public transport and active travel options, as nearly 100,000 people are expected into the city for two huge concerts and a footballing finale tonight.

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen is set to play to a sold-out Co-op Live, pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her ‘Tension Tour’ to the AO Arena, and Manchester City play their final home game of the season at the Etihad Stadium with an 8pm kick-off.

Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year / Credit: TfGM

Not only is it a big deal that two of music‘s biggest names are performing in the city tonight, but over at the Etihad, it will also be legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s final home game for Manchester City.

At the Etihad Campus, it’s expected that there will be a crossover with City and Springsteen fans arriving at the same time for their respective events, and then with City planning a ‘lap of appreciation’ following the final whistle for De Bruyne’s departure, it’s thought that both the football and music fans could be leaving at a similar time too.

This is why a travel warning has been issued, and as always, it’s advised to ‘plan ahead’.

If possible, TfGM is recommending that it’s best to travel to and from your respective events outside peak times, as this is when the roads and tram network will be at their busiest, so instead, Springsteen fans may wish to take advantage of the 4:30pm early entry at Co-op Live.

Alternatively, there will also be express and shuttle bus services to and from Co-op Live and the Etihad Campus for both Springsteen and City fans, as well as trams – many with ‘double trams’ – operating every six-minutes from the city centre, and several ‘Park & Ride’ options for those wishing to drive.

Those who choose to travel by car, though, it should be noted that there will be a closure on Chapel Street heading towards Salford (westbound), between Blackfriars Road and New Bailey Street, and although a diversion is in place, you may want to plan an alternative route.

For Kylie fans, the AO Arena is served by multiple tram and train lines, and bus networks, all of which will be running throughout the day, as well as being just a 15-minute walk from the heart of Manchester too.

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TfGM says its control room will also be monitoring the transport network during the evening and responding to any incidents as they develop.

For more information and to plan your journey this evening, head to the Bee Network website here.

Featured Image – TfGM

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