The Norman Castle was decorated traditionally throughout with Christmas greenery - as it would have been throughout the centuries.
The Great Hall was home to a huge Christmas Tree brought in from the Estate.
Who decorated the Castle and created the Grotto? We had a special staff day, when many of our guides volunteered to decorate the public rooms, while the Nativity scene in the Kings Gallery, with shepherds visiting the infant Jesus, reminded us of the real meaning of Christmas.
The Dining Room recreated a Victorian Christmas, with a Christmas Tree on the dais and the table laid for a candle-lit dinner, while the Long Drawing Room showed Tea Time on Boxing Day. Mr Berkeley's hunting boots and traditional buff-coloured coat were cast aside on a chair (with a HUGE teapot, hand-painted with a scene showing the Berkeley Hunt - but did you also notice the empty hip flask?), a decorated tree, with presents waiting for 'Thank You' letters to be written, and tea and crumpets set out by the roaring fire.
The magical grotto, consistently described as "the best one I've seen" took longer to create, with its greenery, lights, animals, snowmen and rustling leaves on the floor. Father Christmas must enjoy it there, because he returns year after year.
|
|
