Preparations are gathering pace for the opening of Bamburgh Castle’s magical Christmas Kingdom quicker than Rudolph’s hooves!
And just like Father Christmas’ North Pole workshop, the finishing touches are going around the clock as the coastal Castle prepares to welcome visitors into a fantastical festive world – The Christmas Kingdom – which opens on Saturday November 11.
Created by award-winning theatrical designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber and her events team, the theme for this year’s Christmas’ experience is The Enchanted Myths and Legends of Northumbria.
Visitors to the Castle will enter a whimsical world inspired by Northumbrian mythology and folklore, where faeries flit and banquet in wintery forests and mermaids and selkies dive through shimmering silver pools. Castle characters – true and legendary – will be reimagined in rich festive finery, along with spectacular surprises, which, the Castle says, will delight all ages.
Charlotte Lloyd Webber said: “It’s all hands on the Christmas decs at the moment! While it is incredibly busy, it’s my favourite time when you see everything come together and the magic of Christmas happens before your very eyes.
“Bamburgh Castle oozes with mesmerising stories. These, along with the Kingdom of Northumbria’s tales of rich folklore, mythology and legends has given us a treasure chest of material to conjure into an experience to enthral and delight visitors of all ages.”
Bamburgh Castle will be temporarily closed to the public from Monday November 6 while Charlotte and her team move in to dress the staterooms with displays and props that have been months in the making.
Berwick-upon-Tweed based sculptor and prop maker Mandy Bryson is working round the clock putting the finishing touches to some of the extraordinary pieces destined for Bamburgh’s Christmas Kingdom, including a selkie – a mythological creature that can shapeshift between seal and human form by shedding its seal skin and a Fairy Queen.
As well as the Christmas Myths and Legends installation you can book now for Christmas Wreath Making workshops to make and adorn your very own festive Wreath in the glorious setting of Bamburgh Castle.
Other festive events include carol singing, festive treats and mulled wine in the castle’s Clock Tower Café and enjoy a spot of shopping in the Castle’s pop-up Christmas shop.