A magical Narnia Christmas wonderland has opened in Yorkshire, inviting guests to 'step through the wardrobe' this season and experience a taste of C. S. Lewis's iconic tale right here in God's own country.
Hosted at Castle Howard in north Yorkshire, just under an hour's drive from Leeds, the impressive building has been transformed into a spell-binding Christmas wonderland with icy twinkling lights and sparkling trees.
The Castle has been transformed into Narnia with the help of lavish decorations, 'dramatic installations, lighting and soundscapes' that help bring the famous story of Narnia to life.
Image: Castle Howard
Promising a full day of entertainment, there's much to see here - from a 25-foot high Christmas tree adorned with over 3,000 baubles in the Great Hall, to an array of indulgent winter treats on offer inside the cafe.
Guests are invited to 'warm yourself by roaring log fires', find a special present in the gift shop or garden centre, and explore the adjoining farm shop for locally-sourced ingredients to enjoy over the Christmas period.
And last but definitely not least, you'll also be able to visit Father Christmas himself - with the Castle assuring visitors that the big man himself will be 'making some very special visits to Castle Howard this year.'
Image: Castle Howard
A listing on the Castle's website reads:
"Step through the wardrobe into an enchanting adventure this festive season. An icy spell has been cast on this mystical land where it is always winter, but will Christmas spirits be restored and will warmth and joy return?
"Whilst Castle Howard is open from 10am daily, Twilight is one of the most magical times to visit. Icy twinkling lights at dusk, sparkling trees against the dark sky, and an indulgent winter warmer in our cafes, all make your Christmas visit that bit more special.
Image: Castle Howard
"See the lavishly decorated interiors of Castle Howard transformed. Enjoy breath-taking dramatic installations, lighting and soundscapes evoking everything we love about this special time of year. Marvel at the 25-foot Christmas tree adorned with over 3000 baubles providing a magnificent highlight in the Great Hall.
"The magical winter world of ‘Christmas in Narnia’ is waiting for you."
Tickets for the Narnia Christmas wonderland at Castle Howards on sale now, available to book via the stately home's website. Prices vary depending on whether you choose to book on a peak or off-peak date.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has confirmed it'll be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK - but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues 'for all their hard work' throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That's not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a 'special' 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it's important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to 'ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day'
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year's Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: "Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
"Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
"We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them."
Georgina Pellant -
22nd December 2021 
