Gawthorpe Hall

A Christmas walk with the Victorians at Gawthorpe Hall

- Walk devised by Stuart Holley and described by Bob Clare

Next week Saturday 29th November Gawthorpe Hall near Burnley will be staging a traditional Victorian Christmas.

(See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/liverpool-lancashire/ gawthorpe-hall/events for details) It will be a great chance to visit this impressive building, explore its grounds and if time permits go for a walk on the route described below.

The Victorians invented Christmas or at least the festival as we celebrate it today. Many elements of what is seen as a traditional Christmas took root during the reign of Queen Victoria - Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Christmas crackers and the Christmas turkey were all popularised in the 19th century.

Decorating an evergreen tree, usually a fir, was introduced from the Continent by German born Queen Charlotte wife of King George III in 1800. This royal endorsement was reinforced by Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert who were depicted with their growing family on the front cover of the Illustrated London News admiring a tall and highly decorated tree with baubles, trinkets and lit candles.