Prepare for Christmas at Blenheim Palace
(01/08/2008)

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Living Crafts for Christmas which runs from Friday 21st through to Sunday 23rd November 2008 is proof positive that Christmas shopping can not only be fun, it can be a wonderful and memorable experience.

Two vast and ornate chandelier-lit pavilions, carpeted and heated throughout, provide a fitting setting for this sumptuous event which will welcome around ten thousand visitors to what has become the highlight of the winter opening season of the Palace.

Flanking the impressive Great Court, the pavilions house almost a hundred of the country’s most talented British craftsmen and women, ensuring a splendid array of new and exciting gifts for all the family and prices to suit all budgets. What’s more, many of our exhibitors will personalise your gift and accept commissions, ensuring that a present can be truly individual.

The experience begins with welcoming hot drinks available on arrival and a huge covered seated area – this also provides an excellent meeting point at the end of the day. Visitors can then take their time and fully enjoy everything on offer in the first pavilion which completely encompasses the East Courtyard, before exiting into the Great Court itself where the colonnades are adorned with glistening Christmas trees and twinkling lights.

For many this is the perfect opportunity to visit Blenheim Palace which will be decked out in all its Christmas glory following the festive theme; The Spirit of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

The second pavilion housed on the Stables Courtyard holds an equally impressive, yet very different selection of handcrafted treasures. This leads to one of the most popular areas for sampling - the festive food and drink quarter.

Here visitors can purchase delicious homemade Christmas Puddings which are certain to impress on Christmas Day. There are traditionally hand-rolled pies and pastries with fruit and savoury fillings, sausage rolls, flavoured cheddars and homemade honey.

A selection of mature fruitcakes soaked in spirits, iced and hand-decorated are also very tempting with mini versions available for special gifts. There are fabulous luxurious handmade chocolates, truffles, fudges and Turkish Delight and a wide range of beverages including meads, spiced ales, fruit cordials and traditional country wines and liqueurs.

Trying to find the perfect gift for one person is usually a pleasure but with a list spanning two and more families, it can become quite an ordeal – particularly if you want your gift to stand out from the many mass-produced goods that flood our high street stores and supermarkets.

At Living Crafts for Christmas the choice is enormous, ranging from unusual stocking fillers to works of art and everything in between. There are stunning gem-encrusted rings and necklaces, beautiful lacy scarves, shawls and stoles, glorious hats and handbags, gloves and fine clothing on offer. Fabulous leather goods encompass key fobs, wallets and handbags, to fitted clothing and a huge selection of coats and jackets. There are textiles, ceramics, puzzles and toys and even designer clothes for men, women and children; costume jewellery and even tiaras for that little bit of Christmas magic.

There is so much to see and do that this is one Christmas date not to be missed. Tickets for Living Crafts include entrance to the magnificent parkland and gardens of Blenheim Palace. Prices on the day will cost: Adults £7.50, Seniors £5.30, Child age 5-16 £2.65, Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £18.00. For a combined ticket to visit both Living Crafts for Christmas and Blenheim Palace prices will be: Adults £13.90, Seniors £11.30, Child £7.70, Family ticket £37.00.