Historic country house to be transformed into Christmas wonderland over two weekends
One of the area’s historic country houses will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland when it opens to the public next month.
Harlaxton Manor, which was built in 1831, opens on the weekends of December 5 and 6 plus December 12 and 13 to offer visitors a rare opportunity to explore the Grade I listed manor, which is typically closed to the public.
Christmas will be in full swing throughout the house, with seasonal decorations, as well as the sounds of live singers and a classically trained pianist filling its historic rooms with spellbinding melodies.
Father Christmas will be making special appearances throughout the day, while younger visitors can write and post their own letters to the North Pole in a dedicated Christmas Workshop.
Visitors can also browse vintage Christmas gift stalls, enjoy festive food and drink, and discover the fascinating history of the manor with knowledgeable tour guides, exploring spectacular spaces including the Great Hall, Gold Room and 19th-century Conservatory.
Events manager, Bethan Watson, commented: “Harlaxton Manor is always an incredible and historic location, but Christmas really does bring an extra touch of magic that makes it utterly enchanting.
"With the manor specially decorated for the season and live music echoing through the house, it’s the most wonderful time of the year to experience Harlaxton Manor and truly get into the Christmas spirit.”
The manor has had a great many different uses over the years, from a trench warfare and artillery school and an esteemed stately home to a retreat for the Society of Jesus and the home of a pioneering businesswoman who saved the building from demolition.
Its current use is the British campus for the American University of Evansville, known as Harlaxton College.
Now closed to the public, except for specially selected open days throughout the year, the manor is also a sought-after wedding venue and conference hall for hire for corporate events, celebrations or filming for film and television.
The Christmas Open House will be open to visitors for mornings or afternoons, with morning viewings from 10am to 1.30pm and afternoon viewings from 1.30pm to 5pm (last entry at 4pm).
Tickets can be bought online at www.tickets.harlaxton.co.uk or on arrival, subject to availability.