Walking in a Winter Fairytale

Christmas is coming and, to get in the mood, I headed to Killerton House’s Christmas wonderland.

Picking the Christmas tree has been a tradition in my family since I can remember. Unlike the advent calendar (which is often started late), it is the definitive mark of our Christmas beginning.

So to roll this into a festive house, lit garden and carol singers was the perfect first note to start our Christmas.

Each year, the house is beautifully decorated to a theme. Last year, it was an enchanting Narnia and this year, it was Brother’s Grimm story. It was enchanting to walk through and brilliant to spot all of the lurking gingerbread men.

We entered the eccentric manor house to come into a warm lobby, glowing with the light of the Christmas tree. In the corner, rose the enchanted forest, filled with emerald green light. Two prancing silver deer leapt through the trees.

From there, we travelled into The Elves and The Shoe Maker. With an illustrated Puffin book, the fairytale has long been a favourite of mine and there were wave of nostalgia. The room was beautifully decorated with shoes (minus the cheesy smell) and sewing machines, all donated. In the corner, there was even a shoe tree, decorated with tens of shoes any of which Cinderella could have left behind her as she fled.

Then onto the cackling room, where Hansel and Grettel fought the witch. With an ominous cage, eery voice and table spread with bizarre books on cooking children, the room was cold and creepy.

Next we were met with an explosion of pink and travelled through the story of Sleeping Beauty, guarded by twelve good fairies from the witch and her poison, lurking in the corner by the spinning wheel.

Up the stairs and try to spot Rapunzel’s hair, falling from her prison on the next floor. Then through to Red Riding hood and the wolf lurking, ready, as she ventures into the woods, draped in a magnificent crimson cloak.

Back through the lit arches and to the enchanted forest once more.

It’s best to see the garden as it grows dark. The trees are lit, purple, green and white (and some even change colour). It’s amazing how the different lights cast across the bark smooth or deepen the natural grooves of the tree.

On the way through, you can try your hand at various medieval-themed games from quieotes thrown onto castle turrets to racing cannon balls down tracks. If you’re lucky, you may find carol singers in the quaint chapel, bringing the age-old carols to life once more.

To finish it off, there’s the little café, warm compared to the brisk winter night growing outside.

Normal entry fees apply for a National Trust property. Entry to the house is free, but requires booking a time slot to go round.