We are still in the midst of wedding season, but here at Shottle Hall Christmas is already in the air!
Yes, as summer becomes a distant memory and mince pies start appearing in the shops we are already talking turkey, deciding on this year’s decorations and taking bookings for our amazing traditional Christmas parties.
This year we are staging three party nights – on December 6th, 14th and 20th – and I can honestly say there is no better place to celebrate the festive season than here at Shottle Hall. The house has seen more than 170 Christmases and it really lends itself to celebrations – after all, it was designed to be full of people enjoying themselves.
Every year the house is swathed in festive decorations and a 20ft Christmas tree lights up our elegant lounge. In the dark months of winter, what could be lovelier than arriving to a blaze of light and the glow of old-fashioned log fires crackling in the grates?
We have a delicious menu with lots of winter warming options to choose from, followed by dancing under our starlight ceiling – the perfect way to celebrate with family and friends.
But if that sounds too energetic, we’re also offering a Festive Sunday Lunch on December 15th - with starter choices including parsnip soup or calamari, mains of turkey with all the trimmings, pork loin or Christmas cod and puddings including panna cotta, chocolate brownie and of course, Christmas pudding.
The festivities really get underway with our Christmas Market on November 24th. Handmade chocolates, real ale, jewellery and candles are just some of the locally-made gifts on offer when we transform into a winter wonderland for the day.
The Christmas Market features more than 30 stalls manned by businesses from across the county, and with Christmas carols, warm mince pies and mulled wine on offer you can’t fail to get in to the festive spirit.
Although we do still have plenty of weddings between now and Christmas, we are beginning to organise lots of other events at this time of year, which demonstrate exactly how versatile the Hall and the Coach House marquee really are.
In just the next few weeks we have birthday parties for a five-year-old, a 21 and 30-year-old, a 70-year-old and – a milestone definitely worth celebrating – a 90-year-old!
We have a very special Christening party taking place soon for a couple who were married here. They also had a christening party for their first child too - it’s so lovely when we see our couples returning, we really feel that they have become part of the Shottle Hall family.
As well as the parties and celebrations we also have several corporate events to arrange, including a meeting for the Trustees of Chatsworth House.
One event which promises to set just the right tone is an anniversary dinner for the Cromford-based barbershop choir DaleDivas – the winners of the 2010 national talent show Don’t Stop Believing.
The 40-strong outfit have been incredibly busy following their TV triumph, which was screened on Channel Five, with performances all around the country.
I’m certain that if this bunch of revellers decide to have a sing-song around our baby grand piano it will certainly hit a high note!
* The Christmas Party night costs just £34.95 per person. To book a place call 01773 550577 or e-mail info@shottlehall.co.uk for a menu and booking form. The Festive Sunday Lunch costs £25.95 per person.
