This December, The Story of Emily near St Ive, Liskeard, will transform into a Victorian winter’s dream. The Rectory will be elegantly dressed in traditional paper chains, seasoned garlands, and ribboned boughs, taking you back in time to a Victorian Christmas.
Throughout December, visitors can enjoy exquisite Victorian parlour crafts and a Piskie Trail through lantern-lit gardens and whimsical woodland dens, and bauble-making workshops for all ages, making a festive visit the perfect time to explore The Story of Emily alongside the impressive, state-of-the-art War Rooms experience and heritage South African restaurant.
The gift shop will also be brimming with thoughtful gifts to complete your Christmas shopping, including curated hampers, Cornish folklore books, illustrated cards and gift vouchers.
The Story of Emily’s Head Chef, Karen, has revived a rare Cornish tradition — the half-and-half pasty — reimagined with a South African twist. One side is filled with rich venison, while the other is sweetly spiced with mincemeat and apple. Each one is expertly crimped by Rose from the Restaurant team, using her family’s authentic Cornish technique passed down through generations. It’s a true meeting of Cornwall and South Africa in one perfectly crimped pasty — and you won’t find it anywhere else.
Then, on the 6th–7th December, The Story of Emily will host a weekend of festive highlights.
