Chatsworth Christmas 2024 unveils 'magical' toy theatre and epic light trail
A house filled with festive fragrances, where baked gingerbread and hot chocolate linger in the air sounds divine!
One of the highlights on the festive calendar is the big unveiling of Chatsworth’s Christmas theme.
This year’s exciting inspiration comes from an award-winning literary source.
Joseph Coelho OBE has written an original new festive story, featuring an inquisitive little lion and his master.
‘Henry and the Lion’s Christmas Feast’ is an enchanting story inspired by Chatsworth and the life and work of Henry Cavendish, the eighteenth-century scientist and grandson of the second Duke of Devonshire.
The book tells the tale of young Henry and his accomplice, a little lion, inspired by the giant stone statues in the Sculpture Gallery at Chatsworth, as they go on a quest to find a festive feast and the adventures they encounter along the way.
The house and garden will be transformed into a magical adventure where visitors can follow in the footsteps of the story’s characters, with scenery and decorations incorporating the book’s illustrations, created by award-winning illustrator Vivien Mildenberger.
Visitors of all ages will be able to spot the characters as they journey through the house, with a menace of mischievous mice hiding along the route, carrying food to the feast.
Guests are also invited to hunt for the little lion himself as they make their own way to the banquet, laid out in the Great Dining Room.
By drawing on the life and scientific experiments of Henry, the story aims to inspire visitors to question their surroundings and see things from a new perspective. Instruments from Henry’s famous experiments, which form part of the Devonshire Collections, will also be on display.
Pop-up theatres, which have been crafted in partnership with London’s oldest toymakers, Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop, will also bring the story’s illustrations to life, with a special example in the Great Chamber allowing visitors to step inside the story and see things from the lion’s point of view.
The experience is set to be a feast for the senses, as Chatsworth’s collaboration with fragrance experts will mean visitors are met by their favourite festive scents along the way, from chocolate and gingerbread to the smells of a Christmas kitchen.
The celebration continues in the garden, where an illuminated light trail will embrace some of Chatsworth’s best-loved garden landmarks.
Following the popularity of last year’s giant animated projection on the house, Derbyshire-based digital artists Illuminos have again been commissioned to create a brand new projection for 2024, which will bring the characters from the book to life.
Susie Stokoe, head of textiles at Chatsworth, said: “We’re thrilled to have worked with Joseph Coelho for this year’s Christmas experience, creating a magical new festive story that celebrates Chatsworth’s history and collection.
“2024 is a year of celebrating childhood at Chatsworth and we’ve been encouraging visitors to look at things from different perspectives.
“Our Christmas experience this year continues that theme, from taking on the view of the brave little lion, to the visionary thinking of Henry Cavendish.
“We can’t wait for our visitors to immerse themselves in this exciting story of friendship, discovery and feasting, and see Chatsworth in a new festive light!”
Joseph Coelho, author of ‘Henry and the Lion’s Christmas Feast’ said: “It was such a wonderful challenge to be invited to write a new book that would inspire the Christmas decorations at Chatsworth this year.
“I was really captivated by the life of Henry Cavendish and his amazing scientific experiments, and I got great ideas from visiting the house and grounds, especially going through the Sculpture Gallery when I saw the two great lions. I thought how interesting it would be to put the Chatsworth lion and Henry Cavendish face to face and give them a little adventure together.
“I hope that visitors come to Chatsworth and, seeing the decorations, are inspired by all the Christmassy mischief that Henry and the lion get up to and leave with that excited bubbly feeling you get when you know that Christmas is around the corner.”
When is Christmas at Chatsworth 2024?
Christmas at Chatsworth takes place from Saturday, November 9, 2024 to Sunday, 5 January 2025.
Tickets, which must be booked in advance, will provide admission to the house, garden, farmyard and playground, as well as parking.
A programme of festive events is taking place throughout the season, including Storytime with Father Christmas at the Farmyard, and Chatsworth’s annual Christmas market with more than 100 exhibitors offering festive-themed gifts, food and drink.
Chatsworth’s Orangery and Stables shops will be open all season, with Christmas gifts, homewares and clothing made by some of the region’s finest sustainable producers, designers and craftspeople.
Every penny generated by ticket sales and membership goes directly to the Chatsworth House Trust charity, which is dedicated to looking after the house, collections, garden, and parkland, for everyone.
For more information about the Christmas experience, other festive events and ticket details click here.