For many of us, Christmas is a magical time, a suspension of reality when we imagine the world as a shinier happier place where dreams come true. Last night a dream of mine was realised when I visited Rockingham Castle’s Victorian Christmas for a dreamy step back in time to a happy family Christmas Eve, in 1849.

Rockingham Castle sits on the border between Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, a strategic position recognised by William the Conqueror. He had a castle built there 950 years ago, and subsequent monarchs regularly used and improved the site. The castle remained a Royal possession for several hundred years, until Henry VIII leased it to Edward Watson in 1544, and it has remained with the direct family up to the present day. When I visited the ‘Victorian Christmas’ the current owners James and Elizabeth Sanders Watson were present and greatly enjoying the Christmas fantasy created in their family home.

After an essential warm mulled wine and mince pie to fortify us beforehand, we magically became ‘visitors of quality’, and the butler and governess agreed to show us around the decorated Castle whilst the Victorian Watson family were apparently otherwise engaged. We began with an invitation from the butler to tour his kingdom below stairs. We visited the servants dining hall where he ruled the roost, and then the wonderful kitchen, definitely ruled by Cook! Here we could see delicious looking goodies being prepared for the Christmas feasting, including sparkling sugar mice for the children. Butler Mr Davis maintained the fantasy of Christmas 1849 effortlessly, regaling us all with the latest exploits of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children. We learned about Prince Albert’s fascination with the Christmas tree, and then gasped at the stunningly decorated Great Hall, complete with a huge tree, table laid ready for a feast with gleaming silver and sparkling crystal reflecting the light from the roaring log fire.

As we travelled through the ancient castle, glimpsing into many beautiful rooms, our Butler filled us in with tales of the Watson family in Victorian times, and about their good friend Charles Dickens who was a regular visitor. We ended our tour in the Long Gallery. Here we saw the Victorian re-decoration scheme, complete with glamorous wallpaper, stunning Murano glass chandeliers and wall sconces, and the ‘latest’ portrait of the two sons of the Family. The tree was magnificent, and the embroidered stockings waiting by the mantelpiece to be filled by Father Christmas were charming. The illusion that we were visiting in 1849 was very well delivered right to the point we exited through the gift shop!

I do always love a good retail opportunity, and the gift shop didn’t disappoint at all. A few essential purchases later, I went outside into the courtyard to enjoy the christmas lights, feeling inspired to get a move on with my own Christmas decorations.

If you want to absorb some Christmas spirit and treat the family to a magical step back in time, Rockingham Castle’s ‘Victorian Christmas’ will get everyone in the mood, even the Grinchiest individual will be enchanted.

This very special experience is only on until Sunday 1st December so don’t miss the magic!

For more information call 01536 770240 or visit www.rockinghamcastle.com/Victorian-christmas-at-rockingham-castle/