One of the things I look forward to during December and the run up to the Christmas period, is a visit to Castle Howard to see the house decorated for Christmas. Following on from the success of last year’s Christmas story, this year it was Stephen Sondheim’s 1987 musical ‘Into the Woods’ that inspired Charlotte Lloyd Webber the artistic director as she transformed the house into a series of fairy tales with music and dramatic sound effects to match the theme.

It felt a little strange visiting Castle Howard today without the dogs, but at least we were able to have a pleasant relaxing walk around the house for a change. We arrived in good time for our 10.30am visit, managing a takeaway coffee from the courtyard café before the short walk to the house. I spotted at least five Peacocks amongst the trees on the left, busily grazing amongst the undergrowth.

After showing our tickets at the house entrance we headed up the Grand Staircase, its balustrades heavily decorated in silver twigs and frosty ferns. The Fairy Godmother was waiting for us at the top of the China Landing, standing adjacent to a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. From the landing it was just a short walk into Lady Georgina’s room, where Sleeping Beauty was asleep on the four-poster bed surrounded by several of the woodland animals. Next door in Lady G’s dressing room, Little Red Riding hood was getting ready to visit her grandmother with her red cloak laid out. Since our last visit a roll top bath has been installed in the room. Next door, the ‘Castle Howard Dressing Room’ has been transformed into an Alpine Forest, for Hansel and Gretel. Beautiful floral arrangements adorn the fire surround and snow-covered Christmas trees decorate the room.

On the China landing stands the evil Queen Grimhilde in front of a huge magic mirror, a good stopping point for a photograph. Leaving the evil queen to contemplate her future, we made our way along the ‘Antique Passage’ which had been adorned with small Christmas trees placed between the statues and cleverly lit with green atmospheric lighting. Rounding the corner we entered the Great Hall, adorned with a huge twenty-six-foot Christmas tree, heavily laden with gifts and decorations, but mainly the home of the wicked witch inside the gingerbread house. A nice roaring fire in the grate provided a warm cosy feeling in the huge great hall. Dramatic woodland sound effects created a sense of anticipation of Hansel & Gretel arriving.

After leaving the Great Hall we headed left and into the ‘New Library’, heavily adorned with decorated Christmas trees, another roaring fire provided the room with a warm and cosy Christmas feeling. We headed into the Garden Room with a giant Beanstalk reaching up into the roof, evidence that Jack had made his escape from the mighty giant. Walking through into the Cabinet Room is a huge antique dolls house and home to the three bears and Goldilocks.

The Music Room is one of my favourite rooms in the house and today was home to the elves busily making shoes for the guests of the Prince for his forthcoming Ball. Next door, the Crimson Dining Room is laid out for the Christmas feast with a Golden Goose as its centre piece, guests including Goldilocks, the Little Mermaid, and Snow White, each with their own dietary needs. The room is certainly sumptuously decorated, we spent several minutes looking at the table decorations and spotting the different foods. Reluctantly leaving the dining room we made our way next door to the Turquoise Drawing Room, a beautiful floral arrangement above and around the fireplace draws your attention but over on the left stands the Nutcrackers Sugar Plum Fairy, preparing herself for the Ball.

Passing through the Museum Room we reach the Long Gallery where the Fairy Godmother invited everybody to attend Prince Charming’s Ball. The room is partially dominated by the golden pumpkin coach and the beautiful lavish gowns worn by Lady Tremaine and her daughters Florinda and Lucinda. As we left the ball, we stopped for several minutes in the Octagon to watch and admire the lightshow projected on the ceiling.

After reluctantly leaving the Long Gallery, we made our way down the spiral stairs and popped into the Chapel for a few moments. I always enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the chapel and sat in one of the pews for a few moments to admire the nativity scene laid out in front of the altar.

 ‘Into the Woods – A Fairy-tale Christmas’ runs from the 12th November through to 2nd January 2023.