Wightwick Manor is a property maintained by the National Trust in West Midlands. This was my first ever visit to Wightwick Manor, and I got to see the house and grounds decorated for a traditional Christmas. Despite the appearance of a Tudor-framed medieval home, this house actually dates to the late 1800s. The house is influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, William Morris. The influence of the design in the house is medieval with the rooms appearing to be medieval instead of built at the end of the 1800s.
I had a wander around the grounds to see the front of the house, and it is a nice-looking house. The hedges were designed to look like Christmas puddings, a traditional English dessert made of dried fruit drenched in alcohol.
The gardens had some decorated trees and hedges and a herd of reindeer that appeared to be ready to help Santa.
Inside the house, the influence of medieval rooms is apparant, but there's also the pattern and decoration made popular by the Arts and Crafts Movement on the walls and tapestries.
The Christmas decorations are inspired by traditional Victorian Christmases. In addition, we were told that one of the volunteers had experience making dresses, so there are four dresses located around the house to see. The first one was in the main room.
The fireplace in this room looks amazing, and I enjoyed the flower arrangements.
A couple of the rooms could be peeked into but not entered, so I had a look at them. A fireplace in the study shows some vintage toy animals, stockings, and garlands of greenery.
The other side of this room was the library.
The little nook inside the door contains a large fireplace and impressive stained glass and garlands.
The breakfast room was decorated with table settings set.
The hallway was also decorated with greenery, red berries, and candles.
The upstairs of the manor was closed, but the second dress was located on the top of the staircase, decorated inspired by the peacock.
The hall is probably the most lavish room with high ceilings and decorated beautifully for Christmas.
The third dress was in this room.
Off of this dining hall was the games room, and it was also decorated.
That room led into a smaller dining area with the fourth and final dress.
This room then leads to the servant quarters, and the kitchen off the side of this room was decorated with festive turkey and Christmas dinner.
Along the hallway were additional decorations and luggage, including sporting items that would be enjoyed on days away.
The kitchens were laid out with the festive meal in progress. It was the warmest room in the house, complete with roasting chestnuts and mince pies.
The servant's room also had its own decorations and Christmas tree.
Their kitchen was also in preparation for Christmas day, and on the way out was a walk through the laundry room and the game room with hanging pheasants.
Wightwick Manor looks like a lovely property, and I hope to visit it again soon and once the upstairs is opened. I enjoyed visiting the house to see the traditional Christmas decorations and the beautiful dresses.
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