HUNDREDS of visitors headed to Padiham this weekend to discover a real Victorian Christmas.

Credited as the era that revolutionised the religious holiday, Gawthorpe Hall gave guests a real festive treat and glimpse of what life would have been like in Victorian England.

Staff trimmed the hall with holly and ivy, and made a huge Christmas tree, which became the latest Victorian fashion after being introduced to England in 1841 by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, the centrepiece of the room.

The dining room was also set for a grand Christmas dinner and in the Victorian kitchen visitors met the housekeeper and learned the secrets of the traditional plum pudding and how to use a quill pen.

Father Christmas also made a guest appearance to tell the children what sorts of presents they would have good in the Victorian era, and there were festive craft activities.

Rachel Pollitt, Gawthorpe Hall manager, said: “It has been an absolutely great weekend with hundreds of visitors coming.

“It is really nice to see local people supporting the hall at this time of year.”