Bamburgh Castle to shine in Christmas special on Channel 4

Bamburgh Castle will be showcased in a brand-new Channel 4 festive documentary series, A Very British Christmas.

The three-episode series follows designers Adrian Lillie and Charlotte Lloyd- Webber of Charlotte Lloyd-Webber Event Design as they create extraordinary Christmas installations for some of the nation’s most remarkable historic properties.

The series includes a full episode showcasing Treasured Tales, Bamburgh Castle’s 2025 festive experience which is currently delighting visitors at the Castle and is on display there until Sunday January 4.

Bamburgh Castle’s episode is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on Tuesday, December 16 at 8pm.

Charlotte Lloyd-Webber and Adrian Lillie with Bamburgh Castle owners, Claire and Francis Watson-Armstrong. Picture: Sanne Gault / Channel 4placeholder image
Charlotte Lloyd-Webber and Adrian Lillie with Bamburgh Castle owners, Claire and Francis Watson-Armstrong. Picture: Sanne Gault / Channel 4

Filming captures the months-long process of developing Christmas at Bamburgh Castle, which opened its doors to visitors in November.

The programme, produced by production company Factual Fiction, follows the CLW Event Design team and Bamburgh Castle owners, the Armstrong family and Castle staff as they plan, build and install Christmas at the Castle.

Treasured Tales is inspired by beloved childhood classics and fairytales, and sees the Castle’s staterooms transformed into a series of theatrical sets with standout moments including a dazzling recreation of Captain Hook’s The Jolly Roger in the King’s Hall.

The installation includes thousands of decorations, almost two kilometres of fairy lights and bespoke structures unique to Bamburgh. These are built off-site over several months before being transported to the Castle, with the final installation taking place over an intensive five-day period.

Adrian Lillie transforms Bamburgh Castle’s King’s Hall into the deck of the Jolly Roger. Picture: Sanne Gault / Channel 4placeholder image
Adrian Lillie transforms Bamburgh Castle’s King’s Hall into the deck of the Jolly Roger. Picture: Sanne Gault / Channel 4

Francis Watson-Armstrong, owner of Bamburgh Castle, said: “If you’ve ever tried decorating your living room for Christmas, imagine doing it with trees the size of a small lighthouse and 40-foot high ceilings. That’s Christmas at Bamburgh Castle and Channel 4 has captured every bit of the festive madness and the magic that makes it so special.

“Owning a castle at Christmas means living with the fear that someone will ask how many baubles we actually have — and now Channel 4 has the evidence. It’s a joy to see Charlotte’s team’s creativity celebrated, and I hope viewers enjoy discovering just how much magic (and caffeine) goes into making Bamburgh sparkle.”

CLW Event Design Director Adrian Lillie said: “We’ve gone bigger than ever at Bamburgh on lavish set pieces. My team used their full creative talents to pull off something truly magical which I know is delighting visitors.”

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