Buon natale!

Visitors to Tatton Park mansion will be greeted with ‘Buon natale!’ this Christmas, as Venice inspires our seasonal theme.

The stunning staterooms of the mansion at Tatton Park in rural Cheshire East will be spectacularly dressed to reflect the extravagance and sophistication of Venice.

Venetian splendour will be brought to the English country home with striking displays inspired by the drama of ‘carnevale.’ Trees dressed with peacock feathers and decorative birds in gilded cages are just some of the spectacular delights of the Christmas decorations (though we won’t give anything else away!).

These dramatic new displays will enhance our usual traditional Christmas decorations. This Christmas, as in previous years, the floristry team will also be undertaking the enormous task of crafting, by hand, the miles of festive garlands and wreathes used to dress the Mansion’s grand staterooms.

Preparing the Christmas Mansion decorations in the cellars

      © Eleanor Gorsuch

The natural foliage for the decorations is taken largely from the parkland and gardens. Throughout November and December the rangers and gardeners work tirelessly to source the very best greenery from specially selected plantations. Western red cedar, variegated holly, ivy, laurel, pine cones and yew are cut, transported in trailers and delivered directly to the cellar doors where the Mansion team work their magic.

This year, however, the focus is very much on the spectacle of Venice.

The Egerton family, the owners of Tatton for 360 years, were keen collectors, bringing many fine treasures from their travels to furnish their Cheshire and London homes. In 1884, Lady Mary Egerton wrote to her daughter Gertrude from Venice: “We are enjoying this delightful place as much as we always do, and finding all sorts of Treasures…The weather here is delicious – fresh and hot: our old gondolier MOMOLO has been engaged till today.”

Amongst the finest paintings in Tatton’s collection are two views of Venice, by the Venetian master, Giovanni Antonio Canale, more commonly known as Canaletto. The pair came into the Tatton collection in the late eighteenth century during the ownership of Samuel Egerton (1711-1780). These stunning paintings, which hang in the Drawing Room at Tatton, inspired this year’s Christmas theme.

In addition to the decorations and displays, visitors will be entertained with a changing live music programme including a harpist, flautist, string quartet, harpsichord, and in addition, musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music. The musical programme is different every day.

Christmas is not only evident in the grand staterooms; the humble servants’ quarters will also be getting into the festive spirit. In the scullery our costumed still room and kitchen maids will be cooking Christmas delicacies. Count on some lively ‘Downton’ style banter with the below-stairs staff.

Visitors can learn how to create beautiful decorations for their own home during free demonstrations in the servants’ quarters. Children will also be able to take part in free Venetian mask-making workshops at the weekends.

The Christmas mansion is open from Wednesday, December 7 to Friday, December 23 from noon to 4pm (last entry 3pm), closed Mondays and Tuesdays between these dates. Find out more and the event and times and prices here.
Eleanor Gorsuch, Marketing