People are being invited to travel back in time to experience the magic of Christmas past at one the North East’s best-loved visitor attractions.

The festive season gets underway at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, near Chester-le-Street, on Saturday, November 26, and runs right through until Christmas Eve.

From the Georgian and Edwardian periods up to the 1940s and 1950s, visitors can discover Christmas through time, from delightful decorations and delicious festive food to traditional music, an exciting elf trail and seasonal crafts. 

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The Northern Echo: Staff are ready to welcome people for a traditional Christmas Staff are ready to welcome people for a traditional Christmas (Image: Contributor)

The Northern Echo: The decorations are all readyThe decorations are all ready (Image: Contributor)

The Northern Echo: How Christmas used to be How Christmas used to be (Image: Northern Echo)

Events manager Paul Foster said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to join in the Christmas celebrations at Beamish.

“As well as seeing their favourite parts of the museum beautifully decorated, visitors can taste traditional treats, take part in Christmas crafts, listen to merry music and do a spot of Edwardian shopping.

“Our magical Christmas Daytimes event is included in admission and is free to existing Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, so why not come along and make some magical memories with us this Christmas?”

Visitors can see traditional window displays in the 1900s Town, call into Ravensworth Terrace to see the houses set up for Christmas, tuck into tasty treats from Herron’s Bakery and pick up the perfect Beamish-inspired gift at the market stalls.

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Children can take part in festive crafts in the Masonic Hall each weekend. Redman Park will be filled with the sounds of the season with musical performances in the bandstand each weekend.

The Northern Echo: Don't forget your Christmas jumpers!Don't forget your Christmas jumpers! (Image: Contributor)

The Northern Echo: Living Christmas cards scene await visitors Living Christmas cards scene await visitors (Image: Contributor)

The Northern Echo: Christmas at Beamish starts this weekend Christmas at Beamish starts this weekend (Image: Contributor)

Visitors can take a walk through Elf Wood and spot the mischievous elves in their houses.

Some have escaped and are causing mayhem around the museum, so children as asked to see if they can find them all with the elf trail activity.

In the 1900s Pit Village, the miners’ wives have been busy preparing their cottages for Christmas, with the traditional decorations and festive displays.

Santa will be in his Grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard every day the museum is open and travelling around the museum on traditional transport each weekend.

Tickets must be booked online in advance (subject to availability) and will not be available to buy at the museum.

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