6 hours Ago
If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual to do this Christmas with friends or family, The Great Christmas Feast at The Lost Estate has returned for another year. Taking place at The Lost Estate, just a two-minute walk from West Kensington station, this experience transports you from modern day London into the home of Charles Dickens himself, for the first reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’. This experience transports you from modern day London into the home of Charles Dickens himself.
(Image: Emily Davison) The experience, which lasts around 2 and a half hours, is a fusion of immersive theatre, live music and a Victorian-inspired Christmas feast – the works. We first began by walking through a recreation of a Victorian market street with lanterns and old carts, before arriving at the residence of Mr Dickens himself, which is set out as a huge dining space completely decorated for Christmas with trees, lanterns and garlands. The residence of Mr Dickens himself is set out as a huge dining space completely decorated for Christmas.
(Image: Emily Davison) The Lost Estate always have a really immersive set featuring so much attention to detail, with plenty of places to get photos, and if you fancy donning a top hat or long dress you wouldn’t be out of place. Equally, if you just fancy wearing your favourite dress or something comfy you can, there are no rules here, just whatever you feel comfortable wearing. The music is delivered by a group of three musicians who mainly play on fiddle, cello and the violin, along with drums and the occasional gong for dramatic impact.
The story is told by single actor Alex Phelps, who delivers a stellar performance as all the different characters, although some audience members may be called to help act a few lines from time to time. His performance was lively, entertaining and funny as he darted around the room, acting as the old miser Scrooge one moment, and then the jovial and rambunctious Mr Dickens the next. The script can be a bit bold at times, with the odd innuendo and swear word, which certainly had the whole room in hysterics – especially after the first drink .
The story is told by single actor Alex Phelps, who delivers a stellar performance as all the different characters. (Image: Emily Davison) For drinks, the menu offers a range of options from wines, spirits and beers to a selection of themed cocktails , which we of course had to try. We first began by trying the ‘Smoking Bishop’, which was a take on a classic mulled wine with Pinot Noir, port, cherry liquor and cherrywood smoke, whilst I tried the ‘Pear Tree Cup’ with Pear Liqueur, French Vermouth, baking spices and ale, and it was delicious.
For drinks, the menu offers a range of options from wines, spirits and beers to a selection of themed cocktails. (Image: Emily Davison) The feast is served in stages throughout the evening to mark the visit of each Christmas Ghost, and the meal has dishes themed around a Christmas Victorian menu, using traditional Victorian recipes found from archives and brought to life by chef Ashley Clarke. We first began with the ‘Ham Hock Terrine’ served with pickled beets, samphire and chutneys, along with a selection of malted and white sourdough breads and truffle butter.
We first began with the ‘Ham Hock Terrine’ served with pickled beets, samphire and chutneys. (Image: Emily Davison) This was followed by the ‘Confit Gressingham Duck Leg’ served with crispy thyme and garlic potatoes, artichoke puree and mulled cabbage. This was my favourite out of all the dishes, I loved the sweetness of the duck combined with the crunch of the cabbage, and honestly I can see why duck was such a popular dish to eat in Victorian times.
The ‘Confit Gressingham Duck Leg’ was m y favourite out of all the dishes. (Image: Emily Davison) Finally, the meal finished off with a full redemption arc served with a sweet ‘Twelfth Night Cake’, which consisted of a plum pudding with ice cream and cream, and it was really delicious and was served with a glass of Port. The sweet ‘Twelfth Night Cake’ was really delicious and was served with a glass of Port.
(Image: Emily Davison) If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with friends or family for a special occasion, or just want to get into the spirit of Christmas, this is a really fun thing to do in London. The performance was spectacular and it felt just like I was watching a West End production. The performance was spectacular and it felt just like I was watching a West End production.
(Image: Emily Davison) The night ended up having everyone on their feet dancing to a jig whilst the musicians played, and it was such a feel good evening that is sure to make you feel Christmassy. The Great Christmas Feast is running from November 1 until Janary 12, with tickets starting from £135 a person..
