Bournville is great all-year round but at Christmas it comes into its own. Here are five reasons Bournville is the place to be at Christmas.
1. Bournville’s famous ‘Carols on the Green’ Christmas Eve service
Bournville is well known for it’s annual Christmas eve carol singing. The carol singing takes place on Bounrville Green every year on 24th December from 6pm, a service organised by the Village Council.
Bournville residents regularly bring with them a lantern or torch to give the heart-warming community event a real festive, authentic atmosphere.
Following that, on Friday 8th December in St Francis of Assisi Church at 6:30pm will be a Christmas concert in aid of the Organ Appeal. There will also be the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols this year on Sunday 17th December at 6:30pm. This service hosts traditional readings, choral music and carols.
2. Fun Christmas activities at Cadbury World
Pic: Kyle Taylor, Flickr
Bournville is known by many for being the home of George Cadbury, and indeed, Cadbury World. So of course taking a trip down to this family leisure factory and getting to know more about the history of Bournville’s successful chocolate making is another reason why Bourville is great at Christmas.
This year Cadbury World is putting on a family fun live pantomime show of Aladdin. The 25 minute performance will be shown throughout December at various different times of the day.
Father Christmas will also perform in his very own stage show, lasting fifteen minutes. The show is fun for the whole family, where small gifts will be handed out to children. While the Cadbury Café will be providing families with a traditional Christmas dinner.
3. Bournville’s annual Christmas tree lights switch on
Every year, Bournville celebrates the beginning of the festive season with the turning on of the village’s Christmas tree lights at Bounrville Green.
This yearly event provides the local community with a festive evening of carol singing by Bourville’s Carillon, hot drinks, refreshments and charitable collections.
This year the event will be part of a wider Christmas festival taking place throughout the day, featuring food and live music on the 2nd December around Bournville Village Green.
4. Seasonal community celebrations
Pic: Pete Ashton via Flickr
Bournville doesn’t take celebrating Christmas lightly, various festive community events take place every December of each year, and this year isn’t an exception.
Just some seasonal celebrations include: a Christmas Market and Fair at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, St Francis’ Church Christmas Market, Christmas Fayre at Bournville Junior School.
The Selly Manor Museum, is also getting the community into the Christmas spirit this year by holding a Christmas craft fair and Santa’s grotto, on November 25th between 11am-4pm.
5. Taking a walk around Bournville’s historical landscapes
The Rest House
What better way to get into the festive atmosphere than by walking around Bournville’s historical landscapes and parkland, and getting to know the village’s history a little better.
One great way to do this is by having a look around Selly Manor and Cottage Gardens, a historical building made up of strong oak beams that dates back to the 1300’s.
Another great historical building is the Bournville Rest House, located in the centre of Bournville Village Green, it is now home to the carillon shop and visitor centre. In this central landscape you can relax in its peaceful park surroundings and gather information about the carillon.
Or why not have a walk around the Rowheath lake on a cold wintery morning or evening, with the Rowheath Pavilion only minutes away to enjoy a hot cup of tea after in its community café.