East Riddlesden Hall visitor experience manager, Carla Weatherall, reveals the historic building’s latest news and events

EAST Riddlesden Hall’s house and gardens have now closed for winter repairs and a thorough cleaning, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t got a packed schedule ahead for the festive season.

The National Trust shop and tea-room will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 4pm, until December 21. It’s free to visit the shop and tea-room.

The grounds are open daily too, so why not finish a weekend stroll off with a warming mug of hot chocolate and a slice of delicious cake?

The shop has a great selection of seasonal products in stock to help put a bit of sparkle into your Yuletide. When you shop with us you'll also be helping us care for the property too, as the money you spend with us all goes towards the upkeep of this special place.

The Walking for Health group will continue throughout the season every Tuesday at 2pm up until December 23. The free low-impact walk around our local area is suitable for all abilities.

Our walk leaders will make your walk safe and enjoyable, and the estimated finishing time of 3.30pm will depend on the abilities of the group.

Do you need to get some last minute stocking fillers or are you in need some ideas to help you get started on your Christmas shopping? This year’s Christmas Fair will be held in the Airedale Barn for two days on December 6 and 7 from 11am to 4pm.

The Grade II listed barn will provide a cosy atmosphere for the Christmas Fair with huge wooden beams, underfloor heating and swags of fairy lights. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

All stall holders are local, independent traders selling good quality items such as cards, jewellery and scented gifts to help get you into the festive spirit.

Making a visit to Father Christmas adds that extra bit of magic to the festive season for little ones (and the young at heart). So it’s good news that the man himself will be making a special stop off here this year.

Father Christmas will be setting up his grotto in the beautifully decorated kitchen and will be waiting with a present for each boy and girl.

This year, families are invited to take a walk through the house after visiting Santa to discover some of the conservation work that we do during the winter months. There’ll also be a garden trail included in the price too.

The grotto is always very popular so we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment. Please call 01535 607075 to book. The cost is £6 per child (payable at booking), and the grotto is open on December 13, 14, 20 and 21, between 11am and 3pm.

The house and gardens are now closed for the winter and will re-open next February, but the grounds will remain open to walkers daily between 9am and 5pm. The tea-room and shop will be open weekends until December 21 between 11am 4pm, with no charge to visit.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/riddlesdenhall or call 01535 607075 during office hours for more details.