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THE ENGLISH HOME 25Jolly Days OutAFTERNOON TEA At Christmas, afternoon teacan be especially lovely if accompanied by afestive tune being tinkled on the ivories.The Goring Hotel currently holds the topaccolade for afternoon tea destination in thecapital by the Tea Guild; visit afternoontea.co.uk to discover more recommendations.THEATRE Most theatre schedules aredominated by pantomime duringDecember. These shows are full of comedycaper for young minds, and often someamusing innuendo for older ones.BALLET For a more refined experience,a performance of a traditional ballet ismagical, and none more so than TheNutcracker, which The Royal Ballet will beperforming at the Royal Opera House,8 December – 14 January, and the NationalBallet will be performing at the Coliseum,16 December – 10 January. Othercompanies include the Birmingham RoyalBallet, and the Northern Ballet, which willbe on tour from November to January.sKATING Most towns and cities now havetemporary rinks installed for the festiveseason. London is lucky to have several inbeautiful locations, including the NaturalHistory Museum and Skate at SomersetHouse with Fortnum & Mason (pictured).MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS The National Trusthas a number of locations, from castles tohistoric manor houses, complete withopportunities to meet Father Christmas,receive a gift and enjoy some traditionalyuletide activities. Visit nationaltrust.org.ukin December for more details.SEE THE LIGHTS Illuminations grace towncentres from November, but there are manyother opportunities for beautiful lightshows. Westonbirt Arboretum’s EnchantedForest is a popular mile-long illuminatedtree trail, whilst towns such as Brightonhold lantern parades – Burning the Clocks,21 December – which are always a delight.Characterful Cards1 Angel concertina, £4.50, Berry Red2 Penguin and chick in cracker hats, £3.50,birdsinhats at Etsy 3 Christmas pud, £2.45,Crumble Cottage 4 12 Days of Christmas,pack of 12 (one of each design for each ofthe 12 days), £20, Cutture 5 Christmascup, £2.26, Poppy Treffry 6 Catchingsnowflakes, £2.50, Belle & Boo 7 SkatingMouse card, £5, Fortnum & Mason 8 TheAdoration of the Kings (Foppa), triple set,box of 32 cards £12.50, National GalleryCompany 9 Personalised cottage door,£3.95, Honey Tree Publishing at Not onthe High Street### 3### 1 2 4 5 6 7 9### 8TEH UK DEC15 Notebook.indd 25 20/10/2015 17:19