Christmas in “Narnia”

Russet leaves for a russet lady!

Russet leaves for a russet lady!

My first surprise of the day.  Lisa swept towards me- “Mum, I’m here!”  The flowing locks were a dazzling tangerine orange.  “It was just time for a change. I was tired of the red!”  And it suited her.  She looked radiant and happy- a look I love to see.

The venue?  Chatsworth House in the beautiful Peak District.  Every year this glorious home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is themed for Christmas. This year it’s “Narnia”and totally irresistible.  My daughter has been a lifelong fan of the book by C.S. Lewis and the numerous films, so I planned a Christmas treat, for both of us. It’s quite a distance from home and I’ve never been inside the house before.  For Lisa it was about an hour’s drive from Nottingham.  Me- I hopped on the coach!  After the hugs and kisses it was off to see the spectacular grounds.

There are more statues than you can shake a stick at!
And pieces of modern art too.
Bit big for my garden, Mum? But I love it!
A hot house exotic?

Sumptuous afternoon tea next, then the best bit!  Come with me to “Narnia”.

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There were dressing-up clothes for children in some areas, and of course, Lisa couldn’t resist!  A Christmas Trail, finding cuddly Aslans and clues along the way, was also meant to keep the children happy.  Guess who else enjoyed it?

This cape’s nearly big enough, Mum!
Sherry for you, “dear”?
She looks so like my Mum here!

Are you ready to be scared yet?  It’s time for the witch!

I was joking- she's much too pretty to be scarey!

I was joking- she’s much too pretty to be scarey!

Note the small Aslan, keeping her company.  Another clue for the Christmas Trail.  But now for the really sad part!

He's still breathing! It's going to be ok.

He’s still breathing!  It’s going to be ok.

Time for a feast!

Time for a celebratory feast!

All's well that ends well!

All’s well that ends well!

I hope you enjoyed my little trip to Narnia.  It was the best Christmas present I could ever have asked for.  And now, I really must get on with my Christmas preparations.  I haven’t even bought the tree yet!  But I’ve made a list.

Chatsworth House is the most delightful setting and I will be posting more about the house and gardens.  If you are anywhere in the vicinity, “Narnia” will be available till 23rd December.  The link will give you directions.  I can absolutely recommend it.

97 comments

  3. What an amazing exhibition! Loved the pics, and Cathy is quite right when she says that Lisa fits right in there. I would love to cuddle up to Aslan. He’s wonderful. 🙂 Pretty or not, I still find that witch very scary. 😯

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  4. assolutamente stupefatta, piacevolmente, naturalmente! complimenti per la bella figlia che ti ha fatto da modella in questa gita quantomeno stravagante!
    e vai a comprare l’albero, he? io ne ho già addobbati due, uno nel salone e uno in giardino e poi tutte le lucette in giro…che sfacchinata, ha ha

    absolutely amazed and pleasantly, of course! congratulations for the beautiful daughter who brought you by shaping in this trip at least extravagant!
    and go buy the tree, he? I’ve already decorated two, one in the lounge and one in the garden and then all the glitters around … that drudgery, ha ha

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      1. Doing my best and feeling a tremendous amount of pressure from everywhere. I work 12 hours a day and have more things to do after my work…..

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    1. It’s a really lovely place, Dallas, and the staff were all so welcoming. Next year it’s a Pride and Prejudice theme, which will be totally appropriate. 🙂 How’s Dad?

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  12. What a great experience, Jo! I love doing special activities over Christmas time as well. How nice you got to share the activity with your daughter. The Narnia decorations look fantastic! Looking forward to reading more about the house and property!

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    1. Last year I did “ice sculptures” in York, and a very special church in Whitby. One of my best memories was a Dickensian Festival in Grassington. There are so many Christmas things going on, and they don’t all have to cost money. This one was definitely special though. 🙂

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  13. Lovely Christmas present! Chatsworth and Narnia and a wonderful mother/daughter day 🙂 Also love the hair, but I bet it’s high maintenance! Unless she is naturally ginger 😀
    Jude xx

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    1. She’s brunette-ish, Jude, but has been red for so many years it’s hard to remember. In her early twenties she was a strawberry blonde. The “curly-wurlyness” of it is more of a challenge than the colour. 🙂

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  18. Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this Christmas present with ME, Jo! I love it! I really wish I could just “hop on the coach” and visit this place, but your pictures and story are almost as nice as being there. Lisa fits right in at Chatsworth House, with her daring hair and black dress. I love that top picture of her with the hedges, as well as many more, especially “the hot house exotic” and “all’s well that ends well.” Where are you?? 🙂

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