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 Christmas markets to festive family trails and wreath making workshops to storytime with 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 at Avebury; The Twelve Days of Christmas

Daily from Sat 18 Nov (closed 24 – 26 Dec). 11am – 4pm, last entry 3pm

Avebury Manor is decorated to take you into the Twelve Days of Christmas. From a plump partridge surrounded by luxurious pears, and two romantic turtle doves, to eight maids milking in a traditional countryside scene, and nine ladies dancing in stunning hand-sewn gowns, each element of the song will be turned into a Christmas spectacle for all to enjoy.

There will also be family rooms dedicated to children's crafts and Christmas stories as well as Christmas activities across the site.

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary. 

 

Christmas Market at Avebury

Sat 2 & Sun 3 Dec. 10am – 4pm

Continue your Christmas shopping and support local makers with a range of handmade goods on offer at the market, including textiles, recycled wood, jewellery, and handmade dog treats. 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. 

 

Christmas wreath making workshop

Sat 2, Sun 3 & Mon 4 Dec. 10.30am – 2.30pm

During these workshops, local florist Sue Scott will guide you through making your very own wreath. Using freshly cut foliage and Christmas decorations, you'll be able to create something unique to you. The finished wreath will last for up to six weeks and will be a beautiful centrepiece for your Christmas and winter decorations. Tea, coffee and mince pies will welcome you on arrival to the workshop. Please bring your own pack lunch.

Price: £55. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.

 

Winter walk with an archaeologist

Fri 8 and Thu 14 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.

 

Christmas Storytime at Avebury

Weekends between Sat 2 - Sat 23 Dec. Various times – please check website

As part of this special event, families can meet Lady True Love under the twinkling lights of the historic dovecote. Up to eight children at a time will be able to cosy up as they take part in a fun interactive retelling of the Twelve Days of Christmas and receive a small gift. It's also the perfect photo opportunity if you want to share the memory.

Price: £8 per child, one adult goes free. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.

 

 

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lacock

 

Light Struck by Ellen Carey  

Daily. 11am – 4pm  

Well known for her work with Polaroid and the 20 x 24 studio in New York, Carey's work explores colour and light through camera-less techniques. ‘Light-Struck’ brings Carey's photograms and giant Polaroid prints to the Fox Talbot Museum, including a piece “Crush & Pull with Hands, Penlights & Spruce Needles” created especially for Lacock. This piece is directly inspired by Talbot’s own ’A Cascade of Spruce Needles’ photogram. 

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary. 

 

Christmas at Lacock

Daily to 7 Jan (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 10am – 4pm

From willow reindeers to a Christmas craft with a cuppa, Christmas begins on the 25 November and runs until the first week of January at Lacock.

Follow the reindeers on a trail around the village and the abbey grounds (£2 for a map, includes a prize), send that important letter to the North Pole in the mailroom and pose for a Christmas selfie amidst the traditionally decorated Great Hall,

The Community Christmas Tree Festival in the Cloister runs from the 24 November and is themed around the bold and bright Light Struck exhibition in the Fox Talbot Museum. Vote for your favourite!

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not necessary. 

 

Christmas Storytime in the Grotto with Mother Christmas

Weekends in Dec from Sat 2 - Sun 17. Various times throughout the day, please check the website
Mother Christmas will be popping in to the Lacock Christmas grotto for some festive storytime sessions. Get comfy, listen carefully and be ready for a Christmas story with one of the most important characters of the season. It's a busy time of year for Christmas VIPs, can you hear the sleigh bells ringing? Every weekend find her in the Servant’s Hall for a Christmas treat to delight the children, with special Toddler Time sessions aimed at under 5s on Friday 8 and 15 December. Storytime with Mother Christmas includes a gift.

Price: £10 per child (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.

 

Toddler time with Mother Christmas

Fri 8 and Fri 15 Dec. 10.15-10.45am, 11-11.30am and 11.45am – 12.15pm

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 30 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

 

Wreath-making workshop and private Christmas tour

Mon 4 Dec. 10am – 12.30pm and 2 – 4.30pm

Mompesson House is hosting florist Kate Chadsey, who will take you through a wreath-making tutorial. Wreath making is open to small groups to ensure you get plenty of one-on-one time with Kate. Tickets include free access to the property, which will be closed to visitors. You will receive a private group tour of the house and gardens decorated for Christmas with plenty of time for photographs. Tea, coffee and mince pies will be provided.

Price: £75. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.

 

 

Stourhead

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead

 

Christmas wreath workshop

Sat 25, Sun 26 Nov & Tue 5 Dec. 10am – 12pm & 2 – 4pm.

Learn wreath-making from a professional in this relaxing and creative workshop. Everything you need to create a beautiful wreath is provided for you, including materials from Stourhead. Your ticket includes all materials, hot drinks and festive snacks, and entrance to Stourhead House and garden.

Price: £65. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website..

 

Storytime with Father Christmas

Weekends in Dec, daily from 18 – 22 Dec. Various times – please check website

Join us at Stourhead for some festive magic. Begin in the Stableyard and get creative with our jolly helpers. Then jingle your way up the drive on one of our hobby reindeer. Before snuggling down for a cosy Christmas story with Father Christmas himself.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and preferably no more than one adult per child as the grotto is quite snug.

Price: Child £15 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.

 

The Christmas House

Daily 24 Nov – 23 Dec. 11am – 3pm

Set inside the Palladian house and feel the festivities this Christmas as the historic house is decorated with decorations that have been lovingly hand-crafted by the team of talented volunteers, and all displays are linked to different aspects of the Stourhead story, it’s people

Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.

 

Christmas at Stourhead

Daily from Fri 1 – Sun 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day). 4.30 – 7.45pm

Over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds fill the air with festive fun at Stourhead.

Look forward to some time together with friends and family as you discover sparkling tunnels of light and dancing lakeside reflections, then walk under giant baubles and beneath glistening trees drenched in jewel-like colour.

For a moment of reflection pause at mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, gaze at the larger-than-life illuminations and, to make a moment to remember, don’t forget to glimpse Father Christmas along the way.

Our crew of independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tempting treats on offer.

Price: £15. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.