This year's Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace is back bigger and better than ever this year, with around 80 stall holders selling a fantastic variety of produce. 

Stalls include everything from handcrafted silver and gold jewellery, paintings and pet portraits, to fresh flowers and natural coconut bowls.

Handpicked British cheeses and locally sourced charcuterie are perfect for seasonal feasts and those with a sweet tooth will discover artisan cookies, Belgian chocolate brownies, ginger bread and traditional sweets.

Here are three short profiles which give an idea of the diversity on offer:

TuckersFX Candles, Jessica Walker

A sculptor who created a candle in the shape of a music icon's dog will be trading at this year's biggest ever Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace, which opens later this month.

A mutual friend of Stormzy, Britain's most successful hip hop artist, asked Jessica if she could produce a cast of his beloved pet Rottweiler for a birthday present.

Jessica, from High Wycombe, had begun creating the beautiful wax sculptures during lockdown, when her regular job as a creature creator on film and TV sets was put on pause.

“This will be the third Christmas I've been making bespoke candles. I started because I wanted something to keep me occupied during the pandemic. The moulds began as special gifts like the one I did for Stormzy and the business has continued to grow.”

Jessica hardly has time to draw breath now, with her day job at Pinewood Studios book-ended by her sculpting work. She has created new moulds for Christmas, such as an elegant, Victorian-style Gingerbread House, while other dog casts include a French Bulldog and a Golden Retriever.

Edgy Threads, Sarah Wilkinson

Sarah decided to pursue her passion since childhood for crochet when she began Edgy Threads in 2019. She used various videos, websites, books and magazines to make endless shawls and blankets.

She said: “My “eureka” moment came when I discovered I could crochet with a chunky recycled cord which she had previously used for macramé. I finally realised I'd found my niche, my new obsession and at last, my passion.”

Sarah's focus is on decorative and useful items - all her products are hand crocheted and most are created using 100 per cent recycled cotton T-shirt fabric, which has been braided into cords.

The Cocktail Society, Tom Bronock

Another business which emerged from the pandemic is Oxford-based The Cocktail Society, which won Best All-Round Subscription in BBC Good Food magazine.

A sister company to The Cocktail Service, which began in 2009, the society was formed 18 months ago, in response to the growing popularity of home drinking.

Co-founder Tom Bronock said: “The UK is a nation of cocktail lovers and having looked at trend forecasts, we set up a subscription for DIY cocktails, complete with how-to guides.

“British people like to try different things and we offer bar-quality cocktails, bottled by our experts in Oxford, either for people to enjoy themselves or as a great gift.”

Entry to the Christmas Market is free and access is also included as part of a ticket to The Snow Queen reimagining inside the palace and the beautiful illuminated trail in the gardens.

The Christmas Market is brought to you by leading events promoter RGL (a division of Sony Music), in partnership with Blenheim Palace and Living Crafts Events.

The Cocktail Society and TuckersFX Candles will be trading at Blenheim Palace's Christmas Market from the opening day on Friday, November 18, until Sunday, December 18. Edgy Threads will be at the palace for the first weekend only.

• For more information, prices, opening times and to book please visit: blenheimpalace.com/Christmas

For more information please contact: Matt Dixon | matt@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | Tel: 01637 808220

Notes to Editors 

Admission: Christmas Market open from 10.30am. Entry to Market free to all, but parking for Blenheim Palace must be booked in advance.

Christmas Package – The Snow Queen, Light Trail and Market

Combined tickets from: Adult £57, Concession: £55.50, Child (age 3-16) £36.50,
Family £166 (2 adults & 2 children).  Parking: £10.
Annual Pass Holders*: Adult £24, Child (age 3-16) £17,
Family £78 (2 adults & 2 children). *Price applies for entry into the Palace before 4pm
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under. 

Outdoor illuminated trail: Adult £25, Child (age 3-16) £18

The Snow Queen: Adult £32, Concession £30.50, Child (age 3-16) £18.50

Parking: £10. Parking charges apply after 10am.

For full pricing and ticket information visit blenheimpalace.com/christmas

Image Credits

Photos by Richard Haughton © Sony Music

About Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. This masterpiece of 18thcentury Baroque architecture boasts over 300 years of history and is a World Heritage Site, surrounded by more than 2000 acres of 'Capability Brown' landscaped Parkland and Formal Gardens.

Not only an iconic part of history, Blenheim Palace is a living and changing experience with a wealth of events, themed tours and exhibitions throughout the year.

blenheimpalace.com | FB @BlenheimPalace | Twitter @BlenheimPalace

About Sony Music

Sony Music has been delivering illuminated Christmas trails for over eight years. Each trail is carefully designed to showcase the natural and unique environment of the individual location. There are currently 22 trails across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia within the My Christmas Trails and Lightscape portfolios. 

The chosen partners for national and international heritage and prestigious venues include: Blenheim Palace; The National Trust; Forestry England; The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh; Botanic Gardens, Chicago, USA and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. 

mychristmastrails.co.uk | FB @mychristmastrails | Twitter @mychristmastrails 

About Living Crafts 

Living Crafts Events promote the best of handmade British arts and design and has been organising consumer shows across the South of England for nearly 50 years. Providing a shop window for hundreds of small businesses from across the UK.

Blenheimpalacechristmasmarket.co.uk | livingcrafts.co.uk 

About Culture Creative

Culture Creative is a creative project and production management company based in the North East of England. The Company works across a wide range of cultural fields including art, sport, heritage, tourism, festivals and events, developing projects from concept to delivery. Since 2013 Culture Creative has worked closely with Sony Music to create illuminated trails in various venues across the UK and overseas.

www.culturecreative.co.uk | FB @culturecreativeltd | Twitter @CCLCreative | Instagram @culturecreativeltd