Local Christmas Cheer!

Local peeps or for those visiting over Christmas I have put together a guide for some of the best festive treats in our area.

We have it all covered, from crafting yourself a silver necklace for a sparkling gift with Fiona Ingram, design and create a personalised card at Messums Wiltshire, wonder over to Old Wardour Castle for the Christmas Wreath making workshop, Hauser and Wirth in Bruton have the whole family covered with their Festive Day.

Don’t forget to catch Father Christmas at either the beautiful Stourhead Gardens or at Longleat via a train ride through the park along with the Festival of Lights.

We also boast some of the most beautiful Christmas markets set in exquisite locations, to start us off is Compton Marbling Christmas Fair, who won’t disappoint with their beautiful courtyard and barns bursting with Christmas stalls hidden in the Wiltshire countryside.

17th/18th and 24/25th November

Compton Marbling Christmas Fairs

Runs from 10am - 5pm both days.

Get all your Christmas shopping done in one fail swoop at Clementine’s Shop and the Compton Marbling Fairs, a lovely start to this festive season.

This year it has the addition of the Café, to help keep your energy up for all that shopping!

Look at which stall holders are attending which days by clicking here.

17th- 26 November

Christmas Makers Market at Messums in Tisbury

Handpicked and unique pieces from the best of British makers and designers brought together for one week only, including Emsie Sharp glassware and cushions by Anthropologie designer Tracey Boyd exclusively for Messums Wiltshire.

Enjoy festive shopping with a warm glass of mulled wine and a mince pie followed by a visit to the barn where Judy Pfaff’s 140ft installation ‘Roots Up’ is on show.

http://messumswiltshire.com/christmas-makers-market/

18th/19th November

Christmas Card Printmaking with the help of Messums in house artist Finn Bush

10:00am – 4:00pm

Learn about four of the most popular print methods, Wood cut, engraving, dry point and monotype. Then choose one and create your own Christmas design. Print for your own enjoyment and use, or if you feel like it join the makers market and offer your works for sale. You never know as well as being great fun it could be the start of a new industry!

Lunch is included.

http://messumswiltshire.com/workshop-christmas-card-printmaking-finn-bush/

19 November

Pre-Christmas – Cobbles Market Shaftesbury

09:30 AM - 03:30 PM

This is the last Cobbles Market of the year and traders are already getting in the festive spirit – There might even be some Mulled Wine about!

A great mix of Artisan, Crafts, Food, Rural & Produce Stalls as well as start-up and “Suitcase” traders set up in Shaftesbury High Street

23 November – 22 December

Salisbury Christmas Market

With its German Market-style chalets Salisbury market square transforms for the festive season.

This year the market opens in style with entertainment starting at 5pm

Full line up can be found on their website below

http://salisburychristmasmarket.co.uk/what-s-on/entertainment

29 November or 16 December

Fiona Ingram Jewellery - Jewellery Making Class - A Very Silvery Christmas

£50

Fiona is an Art Clay Diploma certified metal clay instructor with over 20 years teaching experience and a passion for making jewellery!

A wonderful opportunity to make unique Christmas presents from silver clay, or buy a future class as a gift.

This course will include an opportunity to add a bit of sparkle to your designs with stone setting.

All materials provided, including 7g of silver clay.

All courses are taught in her Shaftesbury home studio or at Fisherton Mill Gallery in Salisbury.

Morning courses will run from 10am until 12.30.

Afternoon courses will run from 2pm until 4.30.

Evening courses (29th Nov) run from 6pm until 8.30.

http://www.fionaingramjewellery.co.uk/

30 November

Salisbury Arts Centre Lantern Parade

6:15pm in the cathedral close ends at 7 in market square

The annual lantern parade and light procession is a beautiful show of creativity and doesn’t disappoint. No lantern? Not to worry, you can still go and enjoy watching the city light up.

There is still one Free Lantern Making Session being held on 18th Nov, although spaces are limited. To find out Call 01722 343020

2-3, 9-10 and 16-17 December

Father Christmas comes to Stourhead

Father Christmas is bringing some festive cheer to Stourhead this year. You’ll find him in his beautifully decorated grotto in the house, with presents and stories for all, don't miss out.

£8 per child, plus normal admission

To book call 01747 841152.

2 December

Hauser & Wirth in Bruton - Festive Food Fair & Family Saturday

11:00 am – 4:00pm

A fun-filled family day offering festive goodies and treats from local suppliers and carols by the local choir.

From 11 am until 1 pm Hauser & Wirth Somerset will be running free activities for parents and children in a special Family Saturday.

These include making Christmas decorations inspired by the current exhibitions ‘Josephsohn / Märkli. A Conjunction’ and ‘Rita Ackermann. Turning Air Blue’. There will also be face-painting and a specially designed activity sheet for families who wish to explore the exhibitions further.

Roth Bar & Grill will be serving winter warming soup and stew with crusty bread and roasted chestnuts. Local suppliers will be selling a variety of Christmas products including cheese, wine, cakes, chocolate, mistletoe, wreaths and much more.