It's never too early to start planning Christmas, and this year at Ickworth, we started in January. On the back of the success of our Georgian ‘Staged Splendour’ theme last December, which saw over 20,000 visitors coming to see us, we were full of ideas to make it bigger and better in 2024.
And whilst last year it was all about the glitz and glamour of the Georgian theatre and time spent at home, this year we are going continental. This is the opportunity for adventure, travel and getting away for Christmas, whilst making heartwarming memories.
This year’s theme, ‘Christmas on the Continent’, will be an awe-inspiring experience for the whole family that will see Ickworth transformed into wintry scenes from across the continent. There will be colour, music and bold set dressings as you discover some of the history and stories that made Ickworth what it is today.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Frederick, the ‘Earl-Bishop’ was one of the most extraordinary characters of the 18th century. An Earl, a Bishop in Ireland, a benefactor of the arts, an amateur vulcanologist, he spent years travelling the continent mingling with some of the most influential and famous characters of the time.
More importantly, he was collecting and commissioning vast numbers of works of art, his vision to create a gallery at Ickworth as a place of inspiration and learning for young aspiring artists. Ickworth would be a spectacle of museum, art gallery and country home combined. A monument to the Earl-Bishop’s passion for classical Italy.
Behind the scenes, preparations for Christmas are fully underway. Along with the Earl’s letters, we’ve taken inspiration from the majestic artworks of landscape artist Louis Francois Cassas, commissioned by English grand tourists to capture the scenes of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ickworth is also a treasure trove of objects collected from across the world, so this is a great chance to showcase them further.
Working with a team of theatre, sound and lighting consultants, as well as illustrators, we are beginning to turn our designs into reality. This December, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the charismatic Earl-Bishop, joining him and his family on their adventures around Europe, from the snowy expedition across the Swiss Alps to the bustling markets of the Venetian Carnival. In the transformed Rotunda, visit the ruins of Rome or a cosy Bavarian cabin; collect a memento of your expedition in an artist style studio and wrap up warm in a range of different costumes.
Christmas on the Continent is running from Saturday November 30 to Sunday January 5. There are magical Santa shows taking place for children during this period and outdoor trails for families to explore the estate further on their own journey of discovery.
Find out more at nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth
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