Have a Merry 1950s Christmas at Ormesby Hall

Family looking at a large decorated Christmas tree — Start a new festive tradition at Ormesby Hall this Christmas

Make magical memories this Christmas and revisit the 1950s at Ormesby Hall. From Sunday 25 November to Monday 17 December you can see the house decorated to reflect the Christmas traditions from the 1950s, so come inside and discover Christmas in this historic house in Middlesbrough.

A NEW welcome this Christmas

Experience a new way to enter the house this winter, as you are welcomed into the courtyard through the old Jacobean entrance before venturing through the servants corridor, which has never been open to visitors before.

Within the courtyard you will be drawn to the warmth from the fire pit where you can treat yourself to some Chrstmas fayre from our new tea-room outdoor kiosk.

The Victorian Kitchen also offers a new experience with the newly repaired stove being lit to warm up the room and there will be salt dough making for children on Sundays (11am - 3pm) and on Mondays we shall be baking on the stove and visitors can taste the fresh scones or bread.

Christmas highlights

The journey from the servant’s wing into the mansion will be the route the servant’s once took to the Dining Room, offering a new area to see, which includes the servant’s bell board. Following the wreaths to find your way, the Dining Room will be dressed for Christmas with the wintery scent of the large decorated Christmas tree and the table set for the Christmas meal.

Throughout the house there are traditional 1950s decorations, including paper chains and greenery used from our very own garden, as the Pennyman's once did, and there is the chance to view Ruth and Jim Pennyman's colourful Christmas decorations they used to decorate their tree years ago.

Upstairs is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the ante room, which has been decorated with glass baubles on loan from National Trust Mottisfont and Mrs Pennyman has her 1950s party dress laid out ready on her bed.

Christmas food and beverages

Warm up with a visit to the cosy servant's hall tea-room for some warm soup, glass of mulled wine and mince pie. Or warm up with a hot chocolate full of marshmallows, pot of tea or latte and piece of cake. If you want a more wintry setting then sit in the courtyard beside the warm fire and grab some Christmas fayre from the new outdoor tea-room kiosk.

Mince pies — First mince pie of the season

Christmas shopping

Discover a new shopping experience at the hall this Christmas with our new shop, open for the first Christmas ever. You’ll find a range of homeware, scarves, throws, garden items and children’s toys and more in the new shop. Don’t miss the Christmas products with decorations, Christmas food and gift ideas for loved ones.

Unsure what to buy someone this Christmas then how about a gift that lasts all year round and gives them free entry to over 500 special places. Whether they love exploring historic houses and castles, cycling through the countryside or walking along the coast, National Trust membership is a gift to be enjoyed all year round.

Make the most of your visit this winter

Wrap up warm and go for a stroll through the gardens to see the bare trees in their winter glory and make a Christmas creation in the mud pie kitchen. The parkland is the perfect setting for a winter walk to stretch your legs further or for a family bike ride through the wintry woods.