Written by Carly Freestone | 5th November 2018
If you’re hoping to get Christmas wrapped and ready in record time this year, this blog is for you. From German-style Christmas markets to traditional festive fairs, many of the events below are raising money for causes close to our hearts here at Michael Graham. Here’s what’s happening near you:
Woburn Abbey and Gardens and the NSPCC are hosting a luxury gift fair in aid of Childline on Thursday 14 November 9am - 4pm. Fifty stallholders will be exhibiting in The Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey and with everything from luxurious cashmere to affordable stocking fillers on offer you’re guaranteed to find a gift for even the trickiest person on your list. Tickets are £8 and include Woburn tote bag and tickets must be bought in advance from woburnabbey.co.uk. The annual Bedford Red Cross Christmas Fair on 23 November takes place in the spectacular Great Hall at Bedford School and the small town of Woburn Sands have their Christmas Fayre on the high street on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 November. On 30 November the market town of Olney is holding a Love to Shop Luxury Shopping Event in the Olney Centre, complete with a pop up prosecco and gin bar.
Waddesdon Christmas Fair from November 16 - January 5 never disappoints. Set against the backdrop of the floodlit North Front of the Manor, giant Christmas trees surround 80 pretty wooden chalets and these stall holders all change on a weekly basis so plenty of incentive for a repeat visit. Akeley Wood School have their traditional German Christmas Market on Saturday 23 November with German food and refreshments, live music and activities for children. Spoiler alert: Santa will be in the building. National Trust property Stowe are again welcoming artisan sellers to their parlour rooms, and the Hearing Dogs Christmas Market in Saunderton are raising vital funds on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November. Support them if you can - tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and under 16s go free.
Knebworth House have a Christmas Fair 8-10 November which is a perfect excuse to visit this glorious stately home if you haven’t had the pleasure of doing so before. Harpenden’s Farmers Market on November 24 coincides with the town’s Christmas Carnival so stilt-walkers, live music, fairground rides and a Santa’s Grotto are set to add a definite festive vibe to the monthly farmers market. Tring's historic High Street will be transformed into a Christmas market on Friday 29 November for the biggest event in the town's calendar. Late night shopping and street stalls will offer gifts and serve food and cocktails throughout the evening.
The Beachborough Christmas Bazaar has a lovely festive feel and takes place in the manor house of this smart prep school in Westbury on Saturday 16 November. A Santa’s Grotto and craft activities will keep children happily occupied leaving parents free to make a serious dent in the Christmas shopping list. Close to Northampton town centre there’s a Winter Fair on Saturday 30 November in the beautiful setting of the Grade II listed Delapre Abbey - wrap up warm as stalls are inside and out. Lastly, the run up to Christmas is also the ideal time to visit The Heart of the Shires two miles north of Weedon. This retail village promises shopping without the stress, and at Christmas that’s a bold statement! Open seven days a week and set around a Victorian courtyard, there are shops galore as well as a tea room, beauty salon and hairdressers.
Precise event timings can be found online and we wish all organisers the very best of luck in their fund raising. Michael Graham are delighted to once again support primary schools across the region this festive season. Special mentions go to St Andrew’s C of E Primary School in Hitchin, Whitchurch Primary School, Castlethorpe First School and Hackleton Primary school.
If you have a favourite Christmas event you’d like to share please do get in touch. Send us a tweet or visit our Facebook page and for details of all Michael Graham homes for sale or rent, click the property search button now. There’s still time to find a new home by Christmas!