Salisbury Cathedral to screen entire series of BBC festive classic ‘The Box of Delights’ in one special evening

Thursday, 6 November 2025 16:13

In one unique evening, audiences will have the rare opportunity to enjoy the classic BBC television series The Box of Delights on the big screen in Salisbury Cathedral on Friday, 5th December.

The Box of Delights was first screened on BBC1 on Sunday evenings in the lead up to Christmas in 1984, with the final episode airing on Christmas Eve. Since then, it has built up a cult following of fans, with its own fan website and Facebook group.

It is based on John Masefield’s 1935 children’s novel. The story is a fantasy adventure about a schoolboy, Kay Harker, who is entrusted with a magical box which allows him to time travel, embarking on a thrilling journey to protect the box from an evil magician. The television series was hailed as groundbreaking because of its mix of live action and animation and was the most expensive children’s series the BBC had made up to that point. The series went on to win several BAFTA and RTS awards.

Salisbury Cathedral has been given special permission to screen the series as part of its programme of Advent and Christmas events. It will be shown on Friday, 5th December at 7:15 pm, with festive drinks available to purchase throughout the evening.

It is hoped that the screening will attract those who remember the original series on television, offering a welcome dose of nostalgia at this time of year, while also introducing the festive classic to a whole new generation of children.

Tickets for The Box of Delights: Festive Screening can be purchased from the Salisbury Cathedral website www.salisburycathedral.org.uk.