See how Christmas used to be celebrated.

Residents at Blists Hill Victorian Town, one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire, will be busy preparing for Christmas over the two weekends of 7th– 8th and 14th-15th December with a wealth of traditional celebrations and entertainment.

Go along and meet Father Christmas and his reindeer, listen to a brass band and carol singers, watch a cookery demonstration and see a mini-pantomime and Punch and Judy Show. Then talk to the costumed townsfolk in their shops, cottages and places of work, which will be decorated for the festive season, and discover how Christmas was celebrated in Victorian times.

A magical visit to see Father Christmas in his grotto is a must for younger visitors; there is a small additional charge of £3.50 per child, which includes a traditional gift.  Afterwards see his reindeer before they start their mammoth journey around the world on Christmas Eve.

The Town will be festooned with traditional Christmas decorations as the townsfolk prepare for the festive season. The Victorian shops are an ideal location to find unusual Christmas gifts for every member of the family, such as traditionally made cast-iron paperweights and doorstops, perfumed soaps, sweet treats and plaster decorations, many of which are hand made in the Gorge. A large variety of different items can also be found in the museum gift shop.

Blists Hill will be open from 10am until 4pm during these special Christmas weekends. Entry is £15.95 adults, £12.50  60 plus, £10.50 children 5 – 18 years in full time education and under 5s free;  a family ticket (two adults and two children) at £46.50 is available for the festive weekends only. Annual Passport Tickets are not valid for these weekends.

or further information, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.  The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).