Tickets are still available for this Saturday’s chance to step inside the grand house where Charles Dickens wrote several chapters of David Copperfield.
Winterbourne House, Bonchurch will be opening its doors on Saturday 6th December 2025 between 2pm to 6pm for a festive fundraising event.
Book your ticket via EventBrite
A festive event in a historic setting
The festive gathering offers visitors a chance to experience Winterbourne, a place with deep literary connections.
Visitors will receive a guided tour of rooms linked to Charles Dickens, including the space where he wrote five chapters of
The drawing room, where Dickens and his family once staged theatricals, will feature a Victorian-style Christmas tree. A choir from St Lawrence will perform there during the afternoon.
Performances and displays
The event will offer a very rare chance to see work by renowned puppeteer Marion Rodrigues, alongside artist Teresa Grimaldi.
Marion will display her wonderful collection of Dickens puppets, introduce the characters and perform an excerpt from A Christmas Carol.
Festive treats and gifts
A ‘curiosity shop’ will sell homemade treats suitable for gifting. Visitors will also find Palestinian products, including olive oil and dates, alongside Victorian-themed books and other seasonal items.
Guests will be welcomed with a festive treat and a traditional Christmas drink on arrival.
Raising funds for vital medical support
The event aims to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a charity providing essential healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.
A specially made short film will show the daily challenges MAP faces as it provides care to Palestinians. The film will add context to the charity’s long-standing medical mission.
MAP’s work covers a wide range of medical needs, from children’s cancer care and mental health services to support for people with disabilities.
The charity also provides women’s and children’s health programmes, emergency response, and complex hospital care including limb reconstruction and physiotherapy training.
No links to Hamas
The organisation has spent 40 years providing medical and humanitarian support to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon and has no links to Hamas.
Independent regulators, including the Charity Commission, closely oversee MAP’s operations and confirm that it acts as a legitimate and accountable UK charity.
Show your support
Organisers say the fundraiser offers an important opportunity to help sustain MAP’s humanitarian work, which continues before, during and after conflict.
Book your ticket via EventBrite
Due to restrictions in space and stairs, wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams cannot be accommodated indoors. There is no parking at Winterbourne. Parking is available on Shore Road at the Ventnor Town Council’s car park.
