Markshall Estate sees thousands attend Christmas weekend

Markshall Estate, near Coggeshall, hosted the event last weekend, which saw more than 3,500 visitors attend over the two days.

Pretty - Markshall lit up for Christmas (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Tiny - decorations from the event (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Trade - the Four Seasons Craft stall at the market (Image: Bryan Shaw)

There were crafts people, delicious food and a Christmas trail for people to explore and enjoy, with stalls ranging from with eco-friendly wax melts, handmade chocolate and goods made from wood from Markshall itself.

The team also welcomed plenty of unique and small businesses to the 18th Century Coach House, which was decorated for the occasion with wooden reindeer hidden in the gardens, foliage from the estate and a lantern-lit walk from the visitor centre to the popular wedding venue.

Scenic - guests head to the Christmas market (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Shopping - early visitors at the Coach House (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Business - a stall holder with his products made from wood from across the estate (Image: Bryan Shaw)

As well as the festive market, visitors were welcome to explore the grounds free of charge as well as taking part in the Christmas trail, with 20 Christmas symbols to find hidden across the 200-acre arboretum.

There was also a photo opportunity for a family Christmas photo with Deerdree, the Markshall deer.

Friends - Laura and Leo Eaves and Deerdree the Deer (Image: Bryan Shaw)

The fun continued with the Christmas tree light switch-on, where families of children attending St Peter’s Primary School gathered to join in the countdown.

All smiles - Coach House Coordinator Saffron Ralph as an elf for the weekend (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Let there be light - the turning on of the Christmas tree lights (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Many of the children decorated baubles which were hung from the tree.

General manager Dave Finkle was delighted with the weekend’s success.

He said: “It was fabulous to see so many visitors to the Markshall Christmas Market.

“As an independent charity it is so important for us to be supported by the local community and we’d like to thank them for coming out in their hundreds to do so.”

A Markshall spokesman added: “It’s with thanks to the amazing Markshall staff and volunteers that this event was a success, the arboretum team for car park marshalling, volunteer buggy drivers chauffeuring guests and to the events team for making sure everyone had an enjoyable visit.

“It was a fantastic weekend and the Markshall team look forward to welcoming more new visitors in 2023. “