Visit Lancashire

Marchpane, sugar mice and mince pies

Christmas through the ages at Rufford Old Hall

As you sit down to tuck into a traditional turkey lunch on Christmas Day, have you ever thought how our ancestors marked the festive season? At Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk they’ve delved into the past to find out. 

Rufford is one of Lancashire’s finest Tudor buildings – it’s magnificent Great Hall the scene of many feasts and festivities. It also has a beautiful Victorian interior and it was when she was planning Rufford’s Christmas programme this year that Catherine Hazley, Rufford’s Visitor Services Officer decided to link these two historical periods with the theme of festive food through the ages.


Christmas with the Tudors

“Christmas was the greatest festival celebrated by the Tudors” says Catherine. Advent was a time of fasting with no meat, cheese, eggs or dairy products being eaten – although you could get around this by drinking milk made from almonds.

Light Up Lancaster, 7-8 November

Excitingly we are almost there!

Our teams of event organisers, performers, artists and stewards have gathered, ready to Light Up Lancaster. This year’s Light Up The Streets event promises a unique and amazing experience, with light and art installations, interactive projections and activities, dance and music pieces and lots more on the Friday evening.

Saturday’s event, Light Up The Skies, promises a host of family friendly activities during the daytime culminating in a spectacular fireworks display from the top of Lancaster Castle at night.