TAmong the most popular Royal Christmas appointments, the Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair opens its doors on Friday 18 November, for an event lasting just three days but which every year attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world to the Norfolk residence. And for this new post-Elizabeth edition, the organizers expect many more.
King Charles wanted to do things big
Years ago it was Carlo himself who suggested to his mother Elisabetta the idea of making the Christmas residence of Sandringham – inherited by the queen from her father George VI – a conspicuous source of income for the Royal Family, exploiting the agricultural and artisanal resources of the area. And in his first Christmas as king, he has already shown that he wants to exponentially increase the commercial efforts of the estate.
The hundred (and more) craftsmen of King Charles
We start this weekend with the traditional market, an event that gets bigger and bigger every year, full of original and unique handcrafted products, culinary experiences street food (with strictly regional and seasonal products, as Carlo wants), typically Christmas drinks and lots of music British. The ruler selected “his” craftsmen himself which will temporarily take possession of the new, picturesque Christmas Village.
King Charles’ Christmas Village
Each craftsman will be hosted in a log cabin, a traditional hut made with tree trunks and transformed into a luxury stall for the occasion. There will also be many demonstrations of ancient craft and artistic techniques. A group of chefs will demonstrate how to prepare English Christmas cakes, and musicians will perform Christmas carols, including a The Frozen Tribute, in homage to the famous film. And Santa Claus won’t be missing either.
King Charles at a Sandringham market in 2018 i(Getty Images)
How to book
There Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food and Gift Fair it will remain open from 18 to 20 November (hours: from 10 to 17). Ticket cost: £10 for adults (about 12 euros) and £4 for very young people between the ages of 5 and 15, with booking on the site livingheritagecountryshows.com. Upon entry to the estate on the days of the event, the cost will rise to £12 and £5 respectively.
The increasingly majestic Sandringham Illuminations
Not to be missed is also Luminate, the hugely popular Sandringham illuminations, much loved by little princes George, Charlotte and Louis which, in recent years, at the end of the mile-long route in the Royal Parkland surrounding the estate, they enjoyed eating the traditional ones Marshmallow around a campfire.
This year the initiative will close its doors on December 18 and allows access only by booking on the site https://luminate.live/sandringham-estate (ticket cost: £21 for adults; £15 for children).
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