Don’t miss out on the fun at Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum this December

Don’t miss out on Judge Santa, festive film nights and more at Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum this December.

With just over three weeks until Christmas there are lots of events to keep the whole family entertained. Judge Santa will be holding court in the Judge’s seat in the courtroom every weekend until Christmas, deciding if Dorset’s youngsters are on the naughty or nice list. Costing £4, each child who visits will receive a special Christmas gift.

There will be a festive film night every Wednesday in December until the 19^th at 4pm, showing popular classics including Arthur Christmas and the Polar Express. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be provided so film fans just need to bring their onesies, blankets and pillows to get comfy. Parents get to go free and it’s just £4 per child.

Or if Christmas wouldn’t be complete without carols and traditional music, there will be performances in the courtroom, with cellist Sally Flann and violinist Russell Dawson performing a lunchtime concert of well-known Christmas favourites on December 8^th at 1pm. The Crossways Handbell Ringers will be performing in the café on December 15^th at 3pm and the Purbeck Village Quire will be performing in the acoustics of the Georgian courtroom at 1pm on December 16^th.

Why not give your loved ones some hand-made jewellery this year? Caroline Parrott will be hosting a workshop on December 8^th from 10am to 4pm, where participants will be able to make and take home, around five different pieces of jewellery including earrings, bangles and pendants.

Finally, the New Hardy Players will be hosting a special fundraiser ‘Christmas in the Courtroom’, for Dorset Mind in west Dorset on Thursday, December 13^th. This will include a selection of Christmas carols, midwinter poetry from Thomas Hardy and a Christmas Mummers play. Tickets are £15.

If you’re stuck for presents, the museum’s gift shop is full of quirky and original presents for even the most difficult ‘hard-to-buy-for’. Throughout December, the café will be serving a Christmas Afternoon Tea, with finger sandwiches, cakes and trifle for £12.50 a person.

The team will then be having a Christmas break and Shire Hall will be closed from December 24^thand will re-open on January 2^nd.  For afternoon tea bookings and any more information visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849.