Next week, Shakespeare’s Birthplace is welcoming visitors to experience the traditions of a Tudor and Jacobean-inspired Christmas with a series of after-hours candlelit tours. Visitors are encouraged not to miss out as this is the last chance for individuals and families to secure their tickets for the highly anticipated candlelit tours.
This festive season, visitors can step back in time with an intimate and extended tour of William Shakespeare’s childhood home, decked out as it would have been in the late Tudor period.
‘’Following the success of the previous year, we are excited to be welcoming visitors back for the special after-hours candlelit tours.
‘’Christmas during Shakespeare’s lifetime was remarkably different from today’s celebrations. Our candlelit tours are a chance for visitors to discover what has changed and what has stayed with us, including traditional games, warming scents, and the symbolic meanings behind many of the decorations, such as mistletoe that might have adorned homes.’’
Commented Rachael North, Director of Museum and Public Programmes, at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT).
For four weeks, Shakespeare’s Birthplace will be transformed with winter greenery and garlands of ivy and holly to give visitors a glimpse into how Christmas was celebrated in the late 16th century. The historic house will be decorated to celebrate a Tudor-Christmas glory until Twelfth Night, the traditional end of Yuletide.
Step Back in Time with an Intimate Tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Visitors to Shakespeare’s Birthplace have a unique chance to enjoy special guided tours of the timber-framed building after dark, lit only by LED candlelight, as it would have been during Shakespeare’s lifetime.
Building upon the success of last year's event, this year's Christmas candlelit tours are set to be bigger and better than before. During the extended and updated tour experience, visitors will start their journey back in time with a warming drink of mulled wine and a mince piece as they enjoy the sounds of live, traditional Tudor music in the Famous Beyond Words exhibition space.
Throughout the tour of the Birthplace, visitors will carry no-heat digital candles as they are guided through Shakespeare’s childhood home. With the extended tour experience, visitors will have more time to learn about the festive traditions of the Tudor period, known as Christmastide and find out how remarkably different they are from how we celebrate it today.
Visitors can round off their evening with exclusive festive-inspired retail therapy, where they can indulge in tasters of the SBT’s exquisite, locally produced gifts including its new signature edition Shakespeare Gin, wines, chutneys and much more.
‘Through our specially extended and enhanced after-hours tours, our visitors get more chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world. They can delve into age-old festive traditions with our costume guides and explore the history of the house that influenced the development of Shakespeare, one of the world's greatest writers.’’
‘’Our tours are truly set to be an immersive and memorable experience that are not to be missed this festive season!’’
Continued Rachael North.
Candlelit Christmas at Shakespeare’s Birthplace is taking place across three weekends on 30 November – 2 December, 7 – 9 December and 14 – 16 December, with timeslots available between 5pm and 7pm. Tickets start from £9.75 for children, £12 for concession and £15 for adults, with tickets expecting to sell out, pre-booking is advised.
For more information on Christmas at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and to book please visit https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/whats-on/christmas-at-shakespeares-birthplace/.