There’s a feast for the senses at Dyrham Park this Christmas with a focus on the preparations of the 17th-century winter wedding of two former residents. William Blathwayt and Mary Wynter married at Dyrham on 23 December 1686 and visitors can immerse themselves in the planning for the big day this festive season.
The house is subtly decorated with dried flowers, ribbons, greenery and candles, and fine outfits that might have been worn by guests are on display. Seasonal singing and harpsichord music, both live and recorded, waft through the newly-restored Great Hall.
In the Great Kitchen copper pans are filled with a variety of Christmassy aromas that would have been popular in cooking in the later 1600s, conjuring up the chaos of preparing for a big feast. Visitors can lift the lids to discover the festive scents.
In contrast, the Greenhouse, filled with citrus trees, is decorated with delicate slices of lemon and orange bringing a refreshing change from the busy kitchen area.
A total of 14 wreaths, handmade with greenery from across the 270-acre site, are on display throughout Dyrham Park, with a giant one outside the house’s East Front, perfect for Christmas selfies.
Guests would have arrived in horse-drawn carriages, so there is hay laid in the stable and recordings of horse noises to evoke the sounds and smells of the past.
Children’s Trail
A children’s trail, along the theme of the giving of gifts, will run from Friday 16 December. Giant wooden presents will be dotted around the site for little ones to open and find facts about festive weddings and presents. The trail will finish at Old Lodge where a 10ft Christmas tree can be found with more giant boxed gifts beneath.
Children’s crafts will take place on weekends in the run up to Christmas as well as on Wednesday 21 December at Old Lodge. Wooden decorations can be made for hanging on Christmas trees, either at Dyrham or at home.
Poetry from the 17th century can also be explored through a trail of seasonal verse through the peaceful wooded terraces area.
Local choirs will be singing in the village church of St Peter, which adjoins the National Trust site, on selected weekend dates in December.
Refreshments are available to buy from the new café at Old Lodge and the tea-room. On busy days, a takeaway kiosk will also be open. The National Trust shop is well-stocked with cards, food and gift ideas away from the busy high streets.
Prior Park Landscape Gardens
Just down the road at Prior Park Landscape Garden in Bath, there are more Christmas adventures to be had with an advent trail around the garden with 24 special hidden doors to be opened The Palladian Bridge is decorated with garlands and wreaths and the Tea Shed is open on selected days for a warming hot chocolate or a festive mince pie.
Senior Visitor Experience Officer, Libby Woolfrey, said, “It’s a magical time to visit Dyrham Park and Prior Park with the parkland and garden full of winter beauty. Brace yourselves to be taken back to a very special multi-sensory 17th-century celebration of feasting, decoration and gift-giving at Dyrham. A lovely advent trail around Prior Park is a great chance to see the newly-restored garden with a festive focus to keep those little ones motivated and moving.”
Dyrham Park’s Christmas offer is running now until Monday 2 January. The children’s trail starts on Fri 16 December. The trails are free of charge. Normal admission charges apply with free entry for National Trust members.
Dyrham Park is open daily from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm. The house is open from 12pm with last entry at 3pm. The whole site is closed on December 24 and 25.
Prior Park is open at weekends only until December 24 and open daily from December 26 until January 2. Opening times are 10am to 4pm with last entry at 3pm. Closed on December 25.
More information can be found at nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park and nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park.