Castle Howard – All dressed up for Christmas.

A major highlight for many of our guests staying with us here at Flamborough Rigg cottage B & B during December last year was a visit to Castle Howard. It looks as if they will be once again creating a magical Christmas setting at Castle Howard this year.


From 27 November – 19 December 2010 the beautiful 18th-century interiors of Castle Howard are to be transformed with giant Christmas trees, traditional decorations and eye-catching displays chosen by the Howard family. There will be a daily programme of free live music to add to the atmosphere.

For younger visitors they will be offering a festive quiz, a Christmas Express between the house and lakeside adventure playground and the highlight, a fireside meeting with Father Christmas (pre booking is vital).

The gift shop and Stable Yard shops will be the ideal place to find unusual gifts and to buy tasty Christmas treats. At the Plant Centre on sale will be estate-grown Christmas tree or handmade wreath for those wishing to recreate a touch of Castle Howard in their own home.

Enjoy Christmas Carols at Rievaulx Abbey.

On 13 December 2009 get into the festive spirit as the Bilsdale Silver Band serenade you with festive music and carols at Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire.
There is also an opportunity to purchase one or two unique festive gifts from the exclusive English Heritage range in the information centre shop.

The event is aimed at all the family and starts at 13.30 on Sunday 13 December.

For further details click here.

A Christmas Themed Star Watching Evening in Dalby Forest.

Join Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society for a tour of the night sky, clouds permitting and discover the many and varied constellations with a Christmas theme! ACCESS FOR ALL - This is a wheelchair friendly event.

How to get there: Star Watching & Stars with Santa starts at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre in Dalby Forest. Thornton-le-Dale is the nearest town or village.

On Friday 4 December 2009 from 20.00 – 22.00.

Wrap up warm. Bring a torch along. All ages welcome. Event cost is £4 per person.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Santa Specials.

From Saturday 5 December 2009 NYMR start their Santa Specials. The service will run from Pickering and from Grosmont.

The special service will run on the following dates in December 2009:
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th; Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th and from Saturday 19th to Tuesday 22nd 2009.

Pickering departures: 0945 1130 1345 1530
Grosmont departures: 0940 1115 1320 1450

Tickets are £12.50 per person and this includes travel, plus a visit to see Santa in his Grotto and a present for the children, and refreshments and a mince pie for adults.

Pre-booking is vital.

For further details click here.

All is shining brightly here at Flamborough Rigg Cottage B&B ready for Christmas.

Hello, Katie here. We were very excited yesterday to welcome guests back to our extra shiny B&B at Flamborough Rigg Cottage in Stape, North Yorkshire

When Caroline and Phil said a few weeks ago that they were closing the B&B until December Lily, Meg, Payne and I were immediately at the door all togged up with leads, buckets, spades and frisbees thinking we were off on our holidays but sadly they had other ideas. What they had in mind was sand paper, varnish, paint, polish and steam cleaning. To be fair buckets were involved but only with mops in them!

All the hard work can’t be missed as everywhere is looking extra gorgeous ready for the busy Christmas and New Year season. The tree is on order, the wreaths are about to be hung on doors and they are about to start dressing the house………….we are getting very excited.

Oh, and don’t worry about us girls. We didn’t miss out too much as between all the hard word Phil and Caroline found time to take us on trips to Sandsend beach and long moor and forest walks.

We all look forward to seeing you at Flamborough Rigg Cottage B&B and the Hayloft in the coming weeks. Phil has even created a special seasonal welcome cocktail.

I wonder if we can dress Lily up as a white reindeer!

Learn to make Christmas Wreaths.

Join the experts at the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre near Thornton-le-Dale to learn how to make an individual wreath using natural woodland materials.

The event takes place on 3 December 2009 from 13.00 – 15.00.
All ages are welcome but children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Go dressed in casual clothing as the process may involve getting a little messy.

For further details about the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre click here.

Christmas Arrives at Castle Howard.

From Saturday 28th November – Sunday 20th December the magnificent 18th-century Castle Howard, near York, will be lit by roaring fires and candlelight. Giant Christmas trees will dominate the Great Hall and Long Gallery, each decorated with over 1,000 baubles, as well as the display of traditional Christmas 'twigs' - all decorated by the Hon. Simon Howard and Mrs Howard. Beautiful decorations, seasonal displays and garlands will all add to the magic.
Included in your admission; additional fee for Father Christmas
Musical performances will take place daily and families can enjoy discovering the House and decorations with our children's Christmas Trail, as they hunt for 'Figgy Pudding' and friends!

Visit Father Christmas at his Lakeside Grotto
Take the Christmas Express to visit Father Christmas at his Lakeside Grotto, every weekend during the Christmas opening, where every child will receive a gift appropriate to their age.
Visit Father Christmas on the following days: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December and Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2009.
Tickets to visit Father Christmas cost £5.00 per child, whatever their age (including Annual Pass children) - which includes a gift and access to the Lakeside Cafe, and Adventure Playground. Adults accompanying children are free of charge. If you wish to visit the House additional tickets are required.

Stable Courtyard Christmas Markets
In the Stable Courtyard browse two delightful festive markets - Christmas Art Market on Sunday 29 November and a Christmas Local Produce & Craft Market on Tuesday 8 December Wednesday 9 December and Tuesday 15 December - open from 10am with free admission.

For further details about Castle Howard click here.

Visit the popular St Nicholas Fayre in York.

Between 26-29 November York's biggest and most popular Christmas market, St Nicholas Fayre, hosts traders from across the region and the rest of Britain to offer fresh and unique gifts as well as the very best of Yorkshire produce.

Open air markets stretch across the city centre's main squares and into the historic halls in the city, with the Made In Yorkshire craft market within the Guild Hall, a further craft market at St William's College and an unusual medieval market within the rooms of Barley Hall.Parliament Street stalls will offer handmade gifts by craftspeople and artists from across the UK, with breaks in the stalls for warming punch, hot chocolate and chestnut sellers.

Free entry Thursday 26th 9.00-20.00 Friday 27th/Saturday 28th 9.00-17.00Sunday 29th 10.00-16.00

For further information click here.