Osborne House on the Isle of Wight will offer a glimpse into the nineteenth century holiday season when it takes on a festive Victorian scene – complete with Christmas trees, Dickensian characters and traditional entertainments – during a Victorian Christmas weekend on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November.

Experience A Victorian Christmas Cracker At Osborne House.

From 10am to 4pm each day a cast of costumed characters from to Ebenezer Scrooge to Jack Black the Rat Catcher will entertain visitors with Victorian festivities played out around the grounds and lower floor of the house.

Clad in rags and with sooty faces, the Singing Chimney Sweeps (pictured) will push a handcart lit with period lanterns as they perform popular Victorian carols whilst Jack Black, Rat Catcher to Queen Victoria, will regale tales of how he rid her royal palaces and parks of rats and mice.

Festive family fun includes a travelling theatre show with magic, juggling and illusion, children can enjoy traditional Punch & Judy and there will be fast-paced, quick-change theatre performances of traditional Christmas stories to watch.   Adding to the atmosphere will be seasonal carols and song from the Garden Isle Ladies Barber Shop Choir.

Queen Victoria (pictured) puts in a guest appearance inside Osborne House, where she and her lady in waiting will give visitors a lesson in Victorian etiquette and hold audience as they recall life at Osborne House over 100 years ago.  Other costumed characters will be on hand to talk about life ‘below stairs’ in the Royal household at Christmas time.

Visitors can take a stroll through five sumptuous ground floor rooms which will be bedecked with festive decorations just as they would have been when Queen Victoria celebrated Christmas at Osborne.  The sights and scents of colourful trees decorated in the style favoured by Prince Albert, garlands of dried herbs, ferns and floral arrangements, sweet treats from the royal table and real gifts given to Queen Victoria by her family will add to the intimate festive atmosphere.

A 10% discount on themed gifts in the Osborne shop will be on offer to pick up some early – and unusual – Christmas shopping during the weekend. Admission to this wintry event, including entry to the ground floor of the house is: Adults £11.80, Concessions £10.10, Children £5.90, Family Ticket £29.20.  Reduced entry price for English Heritage members.  Tickets can be pre-booked by calling 0870 333 1181.

Victorian Christmas Tours

On Wednesdays-Sundays from 18th November to 3rd January 2010* Osborne House offers pre-booked guided tours which take in the five festively dressed ground floor rooms.  Knowledgeable guides retrace royal footsteps relating factual snippets and fascinating anecdotes as they take visitors back in time to bring the festive season at Osborne to life.  Normal admission prices apply for guided tours: Adult: £10.20; Concession: £8.70; Child: £5.10: Family ticket £25.50 – group discounts available). To book call: 01983 200022. *(house closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan).

For more information on English Heritage properties to visit in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire during the winter months visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 0870 333 1181.