Volunteers to cast a Grimm spell over Killerton

Volunteers at Killerton are well underway with making decorations for this years’ hotly anticipated theme ‘A Grimm Christmas’.

For the first time, the National Trust property will bring to life the classic fairy tales this winter, and as Christmas at Killerton has become so popular, booking timed tickets to the exhibition will be essential.

‘A Grimm Christmas’, based on The Grimm Brothers’ classic fairy-tales, will be Killerton’s fifth Christmas celebration. 

The volunteers work hard to make each year more extravagant than the last, and decorations are started as soon as the previous Christmas ends.

Christina, head of the Christmas volunteer team said: ‘”We’re a really ambitious team and each year our ideas get bigger and better.  There’s a huge amount of energy and dedication that goes into the event, which raises vital funds for the charity.  We each bring our own creative talents to the group and we constantly learn from one another. We’re even becoming lighting technicians!”

It all began in 2012, when a dedicated group of volunteers gathered in the study inside the house transform the house into ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. Back then, visitors were able to see the volunteers in action and preview their creations, but as the suspense for each year has grown so has the secrecy. The house closes for a fortnight on 30 October so that the volunteers can dress each room.

Jan, one of the Christmas volunteers said: ‘I run my own textile workshops and am self-employed, so I really value being part of a team here at Killerton. As part of this years’ transformation, I’ve been helping to make fairies, which take about five hours to complete as they’re really intricate. The team have even been on an elf making workshop!”

The magic will continue outside, with a Grimm-themed activity trail under twinkling lights. Visitors can get involved in a variety of Christmas workshops, meet Father Christmas, tuck into a Christmas lunch in the award-winning Killerton restaurant and buy gifts and produce from the flagship shop. Full details on events, opening times and timed tickets will be released on the Killerton website in autumn.