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Poltimore Christmas markets

Weekend festive markets with stalls selling local arts and crafts.

Leigh Curtis

Poltimore House and Grounds is hosting four weekend Christmas mini-markets in November and December with stalls selling arts and crafts from local makers and traders.

Refreshments will be provided by Branches Café and Martinsfield Farm Shop will offer locally-sourced produce.

Entry is free but attendees are invited to purchase a raffle ticket or make a donation to Poltimore House and Grounds.

Poltimore House 2023 Christmas market Poltimore House 2023 Christmas market. Photo: Poltimore House and Grounds.

The history of Poltimore House dates back to the 16th century. It was the seat of the Bampfylde family until 1920, when the estate was sold. The house and grounds were retained and leased to a school before being used as an NHS hospital until 1974.

The house suffered an arson attack in 1987, followed by a series of thefts and acts of vandalism, and lay empty until Poltimore House Trust, a charity established in 2000, began restoration.

In April this year, a further fire caused extensive damage but left the structure of the house intact.

Before this event the main hallway, library, surgery and other parts of the house had been brought back into use and had hosted performances, arts and craft fairs and previous festivals.

The main building was cordoned off and the trust held a successful crowdfunder to make the site safe and continue restoration work.

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The Poltimore House Christmas mini-markets take place from 10am-3.30pm on the following weekends:

  • Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 November
  • Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 November
  • Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 November
  • Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December

For more information visit the Poltimore House website. Pitches can be reserved via christmasfair@poltimore.org.

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