Winter at Wimpole

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Christmas is nearly here, and oof is it cold outside. I woke up last Saturday and there was a blanket of frost everywhere, but beautiful clear skies – that kind of crisp morning which is in equal part freezing yet irresistible. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to go exploring, and decided to head down the road to Wimpole Hall. I last visited in Spring, but seeing it in Winter was just magical.

A mix of frost and sunshine

As I walked down the entrance path, carols drifted softly in the air. That lovely warm feeling of Christmas swept over me and I headed straight to the shop for a warm mulled wine (a bit indulgent before lunch, but hey it’s Christmas) while watching the carolers.

Feeling suitably festive, I headed in to the gardens to enjoy the crisp winter air on a walk around the grounds. The air was so cold that it made my eyes water and my nose turn red, but it didn’t matter because everything looked just so pretty. My first stop was the formal gardens with some absolutely beautiful views of the house, although my fingers nearly froze off taking photos!

Frosty Wimpole

Each Christmas, Wimpole holds a light trail in the evenings. I was visiting in the day so the lights weren’t on, but I walked around it anyway, enjoying the decorations. I particularly loved the big fat robin. The views out over the fields in the stunning winter light were also special, and I paused for a while just to enjoy them. I’ve got much better in the last 12-24 months of appreciating ‘the moment’ and feeling peaceful in myself so I just said a little thank you – for being healthy, happy, and privileged enough to have places like this on my doorstep.

Some of the decorations

After losing all feeling in my toes, fingers and face it was time to head inside and warm up. The house was decorated beautifully for Christmas with multiple trees and things to do. Christmas here must have been such an event and I could imagine it being full of families enjoying themselves.

A very Victorian Christmas

I reflected on Christmas – I love this time of year, it’s been my favourite since I was little. I love the cosy time, snuggling down inside while it’s cold outside and enjoying some quality time with family. I do feel like Christmas today is so commercialised though, with a view of how it ‘should’ look in the media perpetuated by stereotypes. At this time of year I always think of those who aren’t able to spend it how they would want – those who’ve lost people, who are on their own, whose family have moved away, or whatever the circumstance may be. Christmas may just be one day, but I’m sure it’s a very complicated and emotional day for many.

So really to me, the most important thing is to make it a time where I give love -to be kind, to be grateful, to appreciate people.


So thank you everyone for your continued readership, this is my 3rd Christmas running Saasdia Travel Gid and it’s a joy to share my adventures with you. I am grateful for your support, friendship and shared stories. I hope wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you have a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone

38 responses to “Winter at Wimpole”

  1. Thank you for sharing your lovely photographs of your adventures at “Winter at Wimpole”, Hannah 🙂 It does look cold, but very beautiful, too. Wonderful landscapes, but I also bet you were happy to get indoors within the stunning (and warmer!) interior spaces. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, my friend! 🎄

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    1. Thank you so much, it was a really lovely winter trip. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too Phil 🙂

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      1. TY Hannah 🙏🙂

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  2. What a wonderful place! If I lived close to an amazing place such as Wimpole Hall, I would make a tradition of visiting many times during the Christmas holidays. Not sure I would love freezing to death while walking the grounds though. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  3. I love this post!! I hope you have a happy Christmas and that 2023 is an incredible year filled with lots of love, good food, and great travels!

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    1. Aw thank you 🙂 Lots of adventures incoming, and I can’t wait to follow along with yours too. Happy Christmas Lyssy and Jon xxx

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  4. NattyTravels

    Such a lovely and delightful post, Hannah. I felt the atmosphere in the pictures and your words. Have a wonderful Christmas!

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    1. Aw thank you so much – it was a beautiful trip to get in the festive spirit. I hope you have a lovely and peaceful Christmas too 🙂

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  5. Winter in Wimpole looks the perfect prelude to Christmas Hannah. Surprisingly we seemed to miss out on the early snowfalls but it has been exceedingly chilly up north.

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    1. That’s so rare that we southerners get snow and the north doesn’t – it was sooo cold last week. Have a wonderful Christmas Marion 🙂

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  6. It is beautiful. With this frost it gives a magical atmosphere.

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    1. Aw thank you Melodie – I hope you have a wonderful Christmas

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  7. The gardens looked beautiful. Merry Christmas Hannah!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too – have a wonderful and restful break 🙂

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  8. A visit to Wimpole Hall sounds like a great way to get into the festive Christmas spirit. I love how there was even a blanket of frost on the ground to help set the mood. The rooms look very nicely decorated. Happy holidays to you as well!

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    1. It really was beautiful and so festive with the frost. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas 🙂

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  9. Beautiful setting, and I agree that Christmas at Wimpole must have been very special. Thank you for sacrificing your fingers and toes in order to get some great photos for us to enjoy. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

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    1. Hehe thank you so much for your kind words. Have a wonderful Christmas – look forward to lots more adventures from both sides of the channel next year 🙂

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  10. What a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit! Merry Christmas 🙂 Maggie

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    1. It was a beautiful trip. Thanks Maggie and have a great Christmas 🙂

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  11. I love winter walks with the cold air both freezing and invigorating. What a beautiful place to enjoy the Christmas season! This time of year it is easy to get distracted with all the busy craziness that is going on, but at the same time it is a very tender time for many reasons like you said. I have loved following along with you to all the places you’ve shared and I can’t wait to see where the next year takes you. Merry Christmas! 🙂

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    1. Aw me too Meg, it was just beautiful. I’ve loved following along with your adventures too and look forward to many more years of them 🙂 Happy Christmas – have a brilliant break x

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      1. Happy Christmas to you and your family ! 🙂

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      2. Thanks so much Meg – and yours too 🙂

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  12. A country estate all decked out for Christmas with lovely little details abound. Love the robin shot, Merry Christmas Hannah!

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    1. Aw thanks Leighton – and Merry Christmas to you and Sladja too 🙂

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  13. A great way to spend the holidays back in a favorite place of yours! Wimpole looks absolutely magical, with the outside being a winter wonderland and indoors being merry and cozy. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following and reading your posts for the last couple of years. Can’t wait to see where you go next!

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    1. It really is such a beautiful place to get festive so very lucky to have it close by. And ditto Rebecca – I love following along on your adventures 🙂 Here’s to many more years of them!

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  14. That’s a very special place to enjoy the holidays. Best wishes to you and family. Merry Christmas!🎄

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too John 🙂

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  15. […] Matlock with my parents for a weekend of walking, and finished off the year with a festive visit to Wimpole. I’m truly honoured to be able to showcase England on this blog and have loved sharing more of […]

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  16. As pretty as it is, the snow is turning my toes cold, lol. Beautiful blog.

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  17. Wow, so many beautiful pictures … but oh, it looks bitterly cold! But I suppose, this is the perfect winter (Christmas) landscape that you could have hoped for. For us, Christmas is family time and to appreciate what we have. It seems you also have a wonderful “feel” for Christmas. And though Christmas was celebrated a month ago, it’s still great to read your story about this special time of year.

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    1. It was sooo cold, my fingers nearly froze off. I hope you and Berto managed a break over Christmas and were at least able to relax a little 🙂

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      1. Thanks, we did. We flew back to our home town and done what we liked most, namely to camp next to the ocean!

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  18. […] and spend the afternoon exploring an incredible stately home at Wimpole Hall (post HERE and HERE), before returning to the city centre for dinner and a good night’s […]

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  19. […] and spend the afternoon exploring an incredible stately home at Wimpole Hall (post HERE and HERE), before returning to the city centre for dinner and a good night’s […]

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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