THE final preparations are being made at at Haden Hill House Museum and Old Hall for a series of events in the run up to Christmas.

The halls at the Cradley Heath museum are decked with traditional decorations, real greenery and the finishing touches are made to Santa’s fairytale grotto.

Museum services manager Jane Hanney said: "We’ve got lots of winter wonder and festive fun over the coming weeks at the house and park for all ages to enjoy.

"We hope that our visitors will feel that a trip to the museum will have made their Christmas a little bit more magical."

The festive season starts on Sunday, November 29 when young visitors will be able to enjoy festive quizzes and trails, join in a festive sing-a-long and play instruments, write, decorate and post their letter to Santa,

On Thursday, December 3 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm Candlelit Christmas, when visitors can enjoy both beautiful houses, dressed for the festive season and bathed in candlelight.

There will also be costumed characters a festive sing-along and a chance to help the servants make paper chains. Admission to both houses is £3 with concessions at £2.

And the next three Sundays between 11am-3pm visitors can visit Haden Old Hall and see it decorated for Christmas in a Tudor style with real greenery and pomanders.

Miss Hanney said: "Santa will be in his grotto and if you want to see the man in red then visit on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday December 6 between11am-3pm as he will be in his fairytale grotto.

"There will also be selection of craft and art stalls in the Oak room."

She added: "Finally we’ve saved the best until last with our magical Christmas family fun day on Sunday, December 13 between 11am and 3pm, join us for some festive family fun for everyone at our Jack and The Beanstalk themed Christmas event, music; children’s entertainment, kid’s crafts, face painting, costumed character, live Christmas nativity animals and more, snow out in the park and more.

"It is going to be a magical Christmas with all this great festive fun on your doorstep and most of the events have free entry, both the houses look beautiful decorated for Christmas and it’s a real antidote to all the hectic rushing around shopping and cooking."

For more information call 01384 569 444 or visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/museumevents.