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Traditional Christmas

Set in rural Dorset Helena Barrowcliff's 1892 manor house is full of life over Christmas.

Set in rural Dorset Helena Barrowcliff's 1892 manor house is full of life over Christmas. She and her husband have 4 children, 2 dogs, 2 budgies and a flock of sheep. They are joined by other family every year - the house is decorated in traditional Christmas style spiced up with Chinese lanterns and things collected on travels. After church in the morning there is smoked salmon and champagne, everyone listens to the Queen's speech and lunch is served at about 4pm. Family games are played until everyone is worn out. Helena runs her own business designing and making lamps and shades. She was trained at Central St Martins and spent her early career designing knitwear with over 200 knitters creating fashion items. A spell at Laura Ashley was followed by working in Hong Kong. The house is full of interesting pictures, many inherited from Helena's father who was a picture dealer. A great deal of work was undertaken to modernise the house and to create a garden.