Horace Walpole’s Gothic villa, Strawberry Hill in Twickenham, is getting into the Christmas spirit with a host of festive activities

6 December
Christmas activities for adults at Strawberry Hill House kick off with a creative master class on how to make the perfect seasonal wreath for displaying on a front door and table centres. Florist Henck Roling will be sharing his knowledge and giving tips on how to make sure wreaths and table centres are extra special for the party season.

7 December
For those keen to create a special Christmas card for friends and family, a step-by-step workshop on lino printing will show participants how to make a personalised card. Printmaker Frances Kiernan will outline the first stages of lino printing to produce hand printed Christmas cards or an edition of prints to take home and frame.

Popular local Chamber Choir, Coro return to Strawberry Hill again for a concert on the evening of 7 December. The concert of Christmas music by the late Seventeenth Century composer Buxtehude, accompanied by Baroque instrumental group Follia, will feature traditional carols and audience participation will be encouraged.

11 December
For those interested in finding out more about the restoration of the stained glass in the Tribune, one of the historic rooms in Walpole’s house, make a note in the diary to join the lecture, Tribune: The Painted Glass in the evening of 11 December. Léonie Seliger, Director of the Canterbury Cathedral Studios, who are creating replica stained glass for Strawberry Hill, will give an enlightening talk on the intricacies of restoring the glass. After the lecture, there is an opportunity to enjoy a meal in the house’s café, the Cloister Coffee House.

13 December
Activities for children start with a workshop on Pop Up Christmas Cards. Children will be able to make cards for families and friends using paper cutting, collaging and colouring techniques.

An exciting theatre show, Ghost Stories for Christmas, takes place on the evening of 13 December in the Long Gallery. The show features new adaptations of classic spine-chilling ghost stories and is suitable for all over 11 years of age. There is also the option of enjoying a seasonal pre-show dinner in the Cloisters Coffee House.

14 December
Children can learn how to use traditional marbling techniques to design Christmas wrapping paper and tags in the Marbling Madness workshop.

For further information on the activities and workshops at Strawberry Hill visit strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/events or telephone 020 8744 1241.