For an unforgettable festive day out the whole family will enjoy look no further than Pendennis Castle’s Nadelik weekend from December 5-6.

Escape the hustle and bustle of a modern Christmas, and step back to an age of traditional entertainments as the season of goodwill is celebrated in Cornish style.

‘Nadelik’ was celebrated throughout Cornwall when Christmas festivities had fallen out of favour across much of Britain in the late 18th and early 19th century. Pendennis Castle’s weekend of yuletide revelries will showcase some of the traditions which helped keep this festive spirit alive.

There will be carol singing, dancing and folk tales to enjoy; and the ancient custom of ‘chalking the block’ to try your hand at - a tradition to draw a chalk man on the Christmas or yule log to symbolise the death of the old year and the start of the new. There will also be the chance for some Christmas crafting when you make your own cards (complete with Cornish good wishes), have a go at making your own traditional pomander, and discover how to make the perfect ‘Christmas Bunch’ with decoration demonstrations.

Just some of the traditional Cornish merriments to enjoy include:

• Traditional Carols – Cornwall’s own Mabe Ladies Choir will be singing up a storm with traditional carols throughout both days. Established in 1931, the choir have been a part of the Cornish Music scene for decades, and will be bringing their joyful performances to the Castle Keep. Whilst carols fell out of favour across much of England they thrived in Cornwall, and songs by Cornish composers such as Thomas Merritt are still enjoyed today. Grab a song sheet and join in the celebration as the choir sing all the festive favourites.

• Dancing - Put on your dancing shoes and join specialists in early Cornish music Pyba as they bring to life the Christmas dances of King Henry VIII. Dressed in Tudor garb Pyba will lead castle visitors in the traditional dances which would have accompanied medieval Cornish carols. The word ‘carol’ derives from ‘corole’ – literally meaning circular dance – and traditional songs such as ‘Dancing Day’ and ‘Sans Day Carol’ were originally dance tunes.

• Storytelling – International Storyteller and author Clive Pig entertains young and old beside the fire with a fine selection of Cornish Tales. Stories such as The Giants of St Michael’s Mount, The Pixy’s Potion, Morwenna the Merrymaid and many other Cornish chestnuts will keep the winter chill at bay.

The castle keep will be decorated for the season and the tea room will be serving up warming mulled wine and mince pies alongside some authentically Cornish Christmas treats.

The gift shop at Pendennis is also the perfect place for a distinctly more relaxed Christmas shopping experience – where you can enjoy tastings of English Heritage’s award-winning meads, wines and chutneys, pick up gifts to delight history-hunters young and old, and put together your own mouth-watering hamper of award-winning treats and tipples. Over the Nadelik weekend there will be an extra treat in the shape of a 10% discount when you spend £20 – just the thing to check a few more gifts off your list.

A very happy Christmas indeed, or as the Cornish would say – Nadelik Lowen!

Event Details

What: Nadelik – a Cornish Christmas

When: Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 December, 11am-4pm

Tickets: Standard admission charges apply – Adults: £7.50, Child: £4.50, Family: £19.50

Timetable for activities in the Castle Keep

11:00am Cornish Storytelling and Tales

11:30am Cornish Dance with Pyba

12:30pm Christmas Songs and Carols with Mabe Ladies Choir

1:00pm Cornish Dance with Pyba

2:00pm Cornish Storytelling and Tales

3:00pm Christmas Songs and Carols with Mabe Ladies Choir

…alongside a feast of crafts and activities throughout both days!