Wiltshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panto">PANTO</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9.jpg" alt="Sleeping Beauty" class="wp-image-35327" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Sleeping-Beauty-Pamela-Raith-9-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pamela Raith</figcaption></figure>



<p>Oh no he isn’t! Salisbury Playhouse’s production of Sleeping Beauty is a right sizzler. Expect dazzling dances, superb songs and seriously outlandish costumes. Oh, and a healthy dose of slapstick and smut. Sounds tip-top! Tickets from £17, book <a href="https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/dick-whittington#dates-and-times">here</a>.</p>



<p>It’s the ultimate panto glow up at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre, as Cinderella’s in town. &nbsp;Corrie’s Lisa George stars as Fairy Godmother, alongside David Ashley as Dame Molly Miggins. Tickets from £14.</p>



<p>A short (ish) hop over to Bristol takes you to the Hippodrome, where Brian Conley and Brenda Edwards are strutting their stuff in Goldilocks. This one’s a circus extravaganza, with stunts galore. Tickets from £13, book <a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/goldilocks-and-the-three-bears/bristol-hippodrome/">here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-shows">LIGHT SHOWS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Longleat-Festival-of-Light-2-2024.jpg" alt="Longleat Festival of Light" class="wp-image-34850" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Longleat-Festival-of-Light-2-2024.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Longleat-Festival-of-Light-2-2024-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Longleat-Festival-of-Light-2-2024-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With its giant glowing lanterns, Longleat’s <a href="https://www.longleat.co.uk/the-festival-of-light/discover-treasured-tales">Festival of Light</a> is pretty spesh. This year’s extravaganza runs until 5 Jan, and the theme is a journey through time. Walk through a great pyramid of Egypt, dodge a dinosaur’s roar, or marvel at the 10 metre high Roman Colosseum complete with chariots and gladiators. There’s also a festive train for little visitors. Tickets from £20.95, you can find out more <a href="https://www.longleat.co.uk/the-festival-of-light">here.</a></p>



<p>Stourhead’s stunning gardens look sensational right now, with thousands of lights and lasers popping about. You’ll find glittering tunnels, a sea of light stretching across the lake and rainbow illuminations. There’s lashings of hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows and mulled wine on sale too. <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead/christmas-lights-at-stourhead">Tickets</a> from £16, 0-2’s go free.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Blenheim-Palace.jpg" alt="Blenheim Palace" class="wp-image-34943" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Blenheim-Palace.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Blenheim-Palace-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/11/Blenheim-Palace-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Few do Christmas like Blenheim. You can expect over a million lights, lasers, and seasonal sounds this Christmas&nbsp;with tunnels of light through the trees and dancing reflections on the lakes. And on top of all this splendour, enjoy a bustling Christmas market with winter street food and festive goodies to snap up. You can also see the story of<em>&nbsp;Neverland</em>&nbsp;re-imagined with a modern twist within the Palace’s rooms if you go for the house and grounds ticket. Don’t miss the ice skating rink – new for this year. Ice ice baby.15 nov-1 Jan</p>



<p>This year, Westonbirt’s light extravaganza is brought to you by the peeps behind Christmas at Kew and Christmas at Blenheim. Sounds pretty fabulous to us. Expect sparkling lights, Christmassy soundscapes and impressive installations. Tickets cost from £15, and you can book your slot <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/enchanted-christmas">here</a>, it runs until 31 Dec.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festive-activities">FESTIVE ACTIVITIES </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/ballet-pixabay.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35222" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/ballet-pixabay.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/ballet-pixabay-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/ballet-pixabay-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Bit of a ballet buff? Head to The Parade in Marlborough on 30 December, when the Royal Ballet’s production brings a sprinkling of festive charm.</p>



<p>Salisbury Cathedral is pretty spesh at this time of year, and you’ll find a family Christmas trail running all through December. Can you follow the clues to tell the Story of the Nativity? When you’ve found all of them, kids can collect a sticker from the shop.</p>



<p>Right in the heart of the city, Bath on Ice combines a fab skating rink with an Aprés-style bar. Glide your way around the ice, then tuck into a mulled wine and churros. Kids will love the mammoth hot chocolates, topped with whippy cream. It’s open until 5<sup>th</sup> Jan, but we’d recommend booking your slot.</p>



<p>Lacock Abbey looks particularly insta-worthy right now. Until 31<sup>st</sup>, you’ll find The Great Hall decked out with all things festive, including a seriously impressive tree. Ideal for a festive selfie!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foodie-fun">FOODIE FUN </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Bowood-afternoon-tea.jpg" alt="Bowood Hotel" class="wp-image-35239" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Bowood-afternoon-tea.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Bowood-afternoon-tea-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/12/Bowood-afternoon-tea-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cakes, savouries and scones with lashings of clotted cream? Oh, go on then. It’s Betwixmas after all! <a href="https://bowood.org/event/festive-dining-afternoon-tea/">Bowood Hotel</a> is celebrating the season with a festive high tea – think seasonal sarnies, scones with mulled fruit jam and top notch pâtisserie. From £39pp. Top tip: Bag a seat in the Library, near the roaring fire.</p>



<p>Not planned your New Year’s Eve yet? Whatley Manor is pulling out all the stops. Think fizz and canapes in the drawing room, followed swiftly by a six-course menu from Ricki Weston. You’ll tuck into Sommelier-selected wines with each course, then dance your stocks (or stilettos) off to the resident DJ. At £365pp this isn’t cheap, but it promises to be a glam affair.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/05/Lucknam-Park-David-Christopher-Photography-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33376" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/05/Lucknam-Park-David-Christopher-Photography-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/05/Lucknam-Park-David-Christopher-Photography-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/05/Lucknam-Park-David-Christopher-Photography-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: David Christopher Photography</figcaption></figure>



<p>Dreading the thought of cooking on 1<sup>st</sup> Jan? Let Lucknam Park’s Walled Garden restaurant do the hard work (and washing up) instead. They’re throwing a lunchtime celebration, including live music and a two or three course menu, you decide. Check it out <a href="https://www.lucknampark.co.uk/offer/new-years-day-lunch/">here.</a></p>



<p>The clever peeps at Castle Combe’s The Manor know how to dial it up for the season. Stepping into the hotel is like venturing into a winter wonderland, and the afternoon tea is fabulous. Tiered cake stands, laden with treats? Tick. Roaring fires? Tick. These guys really know how to deck the halls and sprinkle every room with joy.&nbsp;£45pp.</p>


Twixmas treats! The best things to do between Christmas & New Year in Wilts

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