12 days of National Trust Christmas
The best historic houses to visit in the festive season
Oh, I love this time of year in the UK. As the weather turns crisper and the run-up to Christmas begins, my favourite days out involve visiting a National Trust house all trussed up in its Christmas finery, with huge trees in its grand hall and a carousel and food stalls outside. There’s nothing lovelier. Last year, we had a wonderful day seeing the sumptuous decorations, fun Christmas trail and vintage carousel at Polesden Lacey in Surrey, which really goes for it during the festive season. Here’s where is on my wish-list this year:
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Nov 30 – Jan 5
This lavish family home, in the style of a Venetian palace, turns itself into a house full of Christmas Wishes in December, including a trail, vintage carousel and fabulously-decorated interiors.
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Nov 30 – Dec 31
For something a little different, how about Viking Yule: Christmas at Buckland Abbey, including Odin and the Northern Lights. The Abbey is decorated with medieval winter traditions and there’s a winter solstice celebration on Dec 21.
Saltram, Devon
Nov 22 – Jan 1
Another house which goes all-out at Christmas, is 18th-century Saltram, with its festive trails, grand interiors, and a captivating portrayal of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, plus visit Father Christmas in his grotto.
Cotehele, Cornwall
Nov 23 – Jan 5
Christmas at Cotehele involves its 60-ft long Christmas garland, decorated with thousands of dried flowers grown on the estate. The garland is hung in the Great Hall, the kitchen dressed for a Tudor feast, and the library transformed into a magical Christmas scene. Outside, you can take a festive trail.
Belton Estate, Lincolnshire
Nov 23 – Jan 5
Pretty Belton House, in its estate and deer park, is home to Christmas in the Mansion: The Enchanted Parkland. Walk through a sugar-plum fairy-inspired land with delicate wildlife origami and discover Santa’s sleigh and reindeer outside.
Hardwick, Derbyshire
Nov 17 – Jan 5
Enjoy an Elizabethan Christmas with Hardwick Wintertide, including shadow puppet shows, handmade paper villages and wishing ribbons, following the mischievous Lord of Misrule around the mansion by lantern-light.
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Nov 23 – Jan 5
Special mention to one of my favourite houses, Polesden Lacey, with its Christmas Masquerade. See the 20ft Christmas tree in the Grand Hall and enjoy scenes through the house. Outside, ride on a vintage carousel and take the festive trail.
Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
Nov 30 – January 5
Another spectacular 17th-century house in the south of England, becomes a festive wonderland, with A Christmas Spectacular at Petworth House, filled with show-stopping trees and twinkling lights, garlands and lanterns.
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Nov 22 – Jan 1
Wimpole Hall has an after-dark Illuminations trail in the estate and Christmas in the house, with 10ft trees and the return of the ‘Lightfall’ in the well of the Grand Staircase.
Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham
Nov 30 – Jan 5
Christmas at Chirk Castle, is decorated in collaboration with Manchester-based artist Lazerian (Liam Hopkins). A dragon, joined by new companions, protects the castle’s treasures. Explore the State Rooms, follow the trail and dine with Santa.
Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Nov 30 – Jan 5
Anne Boleyn’s birthplace twinkles at Christmas with Journey Through the Stars at Blickling. Inspired by the conservation of a Star Atlas by Andreas Cellarius from the library, there are light installations, games and a chance to help decorate the hall.
Cragside, Northumberland
Nov 30 – Jan 5
Spirits of the Forest: Cragside House, is doing Christmas on a grand scale, with the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, a 42-metre Redwood decorated with 2,000 lights. Inside, Cragside’s Spirits of the Forest cause mischief and rooms are bursting with trees, woodland animals and foliage growing down the furniture. How good does that sound!