Across Wiltshire, National Trust places are full of warmth, magic and sparkle as the festive season approaches. Wrap up and embrace the chilly days with a family walk around a country estate, or get into the Christmas spirit with carols, open fires, and mince pies. There’s lots on offer this season, from craft workshops and family trails to winter lights and visits from Father Christmas.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this season, please check property website for opening days and times, especially over the Christmas period:
Avebury
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury
Christmas Market at Avebury
30 Nov and 1 Dec, 7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec. 10am-4pm
Continue your Christmas shopping and support local makers with a range of handmade goods on offer at the market. There will be different stallholders at each weekend of the market so plenty of opportunity to browse a wide variety of products including textiles, recycled wood, jewellery, and handmade dog treats.
Why not come back a couple of times to see the lovely crafts on offer? All set within the atmospheric seventeenth-century threshing barn, there will be carols and music each afternoon. Please note: due to the lack of mobile signal at Avebury, most stalls will be cash only.
Price: Free. Booking not necessary.
Storytime with St Nicholas
30 Nov and 1 Dec, 7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec, 21 and 22 Dec. Various times, see website.
Enter the festively decorated Dovecote to meet St. Nicholas, hear a special Christmas story, and receive a Christmas gift. Up to eight children at a time will be able to get cosy as they take part in a fun story time and receive a small gift. It’s also the perfect photo opportunity if you want to share the memory. Aimed at children ages 3-10.
Price: £8 per child, must be accompanied by an adult (free). Booking essential via website.
Wreath-making workshop
6 and 7 Dec. 10.30am – 2.30pm
Nothing says ‘Christmas is here’ like a handmade wreath on your front door. Join local florist Sue Scott at Avebury this year to make your very own wreath using natural foliage and decorations. A welcome drink, lunch, and entry to Avebury Manor Garden is included.
Price: £65. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via website.
Winter walk with an archaeologist
9 and 13 Dec. 10.30am – 12.30pm
Why not leave the crowds behind and join expert archaeologist, Dr Nick, for a winter ramble around the stone circles to learn all about the prehistory of the site and recent research into this enigmatic place? The walk will be followed by a warming drink and mince pies served in the barn, where you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and chat with Dr Nick Snashall.
Price: £15. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via website.
Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lacock
Christmas shopping in the Manger Barn
Thurs-Sun from 15 Nov to 8 Dec. 10.30am-4pm
Enjoy some festive retail therapy in a beautiful, historic setting. The High Street Shop is hosting a Christmas pop-up shop in the village’s Manger Barn. Not usually open to the public, this historic space will be the setting for a sparkling Christmas ship, where you’ll be able to buy quality, sustainable gifts and local artisanal crafts.
Price: Free. Booking not necessary.
Christmas at Lacock
Daily 23 Nov to 31 Dec (closed 25 and 26 Dec). 10am-4pm
At Lacock willow reindeers will be prancing around the garden. The Bakehouse will be ready for Christmas post with a letter writing station and north pole postbox, and you’ll find Christmas trees twinkling in every corner. The Cloister will be hosting a Community Christmas Tree festival with trees decorated by local groups using handmade and upcycled decorations.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Christmas Storytime with Mother Christmas
14 and 15 Dec, 21 and 22 Dec. Various times, see website
Meet Mother Christmas for Storytime in the Lacock festive grotto. A cosy, magical experience to delight young visitors and get everyone excited for Christmas. Get comfy, listen carefully and be ready for a Christmas story with one of the most important characters of the season. Storytime with Mother Christmas includes a gift and lasts approximately 25 minutes. Each child event ticket also includes entry to the abbey grounds, cloister and decorated Great Hall. Normal admission applies for non-member adults.
Price: £10 per child (normal admission applies for adults). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Christmas Storytime with Mother Christmas- relaxed session
20 Dec. Various times, see website
Meet Mother Christmas for Storytime in the Lacock festive grotto. This is a more relaxed session for those with additional sensory, educational, and emotional needs. There will be reduced numbers, no music, sensory toys, and a slower, more relaxed pace. There will be space to step away and return as needed. Storytime with Mother Christmas includes a gift and lasts approximately 25 minutes. Each child event ticket also includes entry to the abbey grounds, cloister and decorated Great Hall. Normal admission applies for non-member adults.
Price: £10 per child (normal admission applies for adults). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Toddler time with Mother Christmas
13, 19 and 20 Dec. 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am and 12noon.
All the festive charm of Lacock’s Christmas grotto, especially aimed at toddlers and pre-schoolers. Cosy up for a story read by Mother Christmas and receive a gift from Father Christmas’s present sack. Session lasts 25 minutes and includes a story, present and toys for quiet play.
Price: £10 per child (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Mompesson House
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/mompesson-house
A fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House
Fri-Tues from 22 Nov to 23 Dec. 11am-3.30pm
Fairytales meet a Victorian Christmas in this immersive storytelling experience, perfect for both the young and the young at heart. Discover the three bears’ Christmas feast, follow Hansel’s trail to the tea-room and listen to some fairy tales in the Library. Throughout Christmas we’ll have a free activity sheet to keep little minds occupied. On weekends we’ll have free storytelling sessions in the second-hand bookshop in the morning and afternoon. Get cosy with a blanket and hot drink or festive treat in the tea-room and pop in to the bookshop to find a quirky Christmas present.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary.
Stourhead
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead
Festive lino printing workshop
18 and 20 Nov. 10am-1pm
Come and get all festive creating your very own lino cut in this three-hour workshop with Gemma Lane from Green Fox workshops. Gemma will go through a step-by-step method, demonstrating each new process ensuring that you will have a beautiful Christmas card and some wrapping paper to wow Father Christmas with underneath the Christmas tree. All materials, along with tea and coffee, are provided.
Price: £50 per person. Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.
Christmas at Stourhead
29 Nov-1 Dec, 5-8 Dec, 11 Dec-1 Jan (closed 24 and 25 Dec). 4.30-10pm
The after-dark illuminated trail returns once again. Created by award-winning, internationally acclaimed light trail producers, Christmas at Stourhead has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. Discover a sea of light stretching out into the distance across the lake, huge feathers floating high into the night sky, sparkling tunnels of light and illuminations that fill the air with all the colours of the rainbow.
Price: From £15 per adult and from £10 per child. Booking essential via the website or call 01747 841152
Christmas house
Daily from 22 Nov – 23 Dec, 11am – 3pm
Feel the festive spirit come to life as you wander through the grand rooms of Stourhead house, decorated with twinkling lights, festive floral arrangements, and showstopping trees. Engage with the different themes in each room, inspired by the history, nature and beauty of Stourhead and its heritage.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Christmas wreath-making workshop
30 Nov, 1, 4 and 5 Dec. 10am-12noon
Get into the Christmas spirit with a wreath-making workshop at Stourhead. Learn wreath-making from a professional in this relaxing and creative workshop. Everything you need to create a beautiful wreath is provided for you. Mulled wine and festive treats will also be provided.
Price: £65 per person. Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.
Storytime with Father Christmas
30 Nov and 1 Dec, 7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec, 21-23 Dec. Various times, see website.
Join us for some festive magic at Stourhead. Create cosy Christmas crafts, gallop with hobby-reindeer and snuggle up for a festive story with Father Christmas in his magical grotto. The experience lasts 50 minutes and includes a photo opportunity with Father Christmas and a gift at the end. Aimed at children aged 3 to 12.
Price: £15 per child. Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.