Christmas at Bristol's National Trust properties

About

For Christmas 2023 the magnificent houses and peaceful gardens around Bath and Bristol will be transformed. Find out about the festive day outs and things to see and do with all the family.

A day out with the National Trust near Bristol could transport you back in time to meet a Victorian family or to see what it would’ve been like preparing for Christmas in the 17th-century. There’s also decorations and Christmas trees galore, lots of opportunities to meet Father Christmas, plus winter walks and warming refreshments.    

Tyntesfield 
Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in nature with our very Victorian Christmas. Follow the family reindeer trail, try your hand at craft workshops, experience a festive horse and carriage ride and soak in the Christmas spirit with festive decorations across Tyntesfield Estate.

Christmas events and activities

Christmas lino printing on Christmas cards
2 December, 5 December, 7 December, 13 December and 16 December 2023
10.30am to 1.15pm / 2pm to 4.45pm

Fancy something festive and crafty? Lino printing your Christmas cards is the perfect activity to get you feeling Christmassy. Come and enjoy the grounds of Tyntesfield and take inspiration from the festivities at this time of year. These workshops will demonstrate each step and at the end of the day you'll have some beautiful handmade cards to wow Father Christmas with under the tree.

Book a ticket to one of the lino printing workshops here

Tyntesfield reindeer trail
16 December to 1 January
Available daily between 10:30am and 4:00pm

The reindeer have escaped from Tyntesfield stables and are running riot across the estate! Father Christmas needs your help to track down them down so he can round them up to pull his sleigh. Using a map of the locations they were last seen, explore the Tyntesfield estate and see if you can find all 9 reindeer.

Further information on the Tyntesfield reindeer trail

Dyrham Park 

For Christmas 2023 we invite you on special journey through time as we explore Christmas through the ages. The house will be dressed with festive decorations from five different eras.

Festive fun
The house will be dressed in the style of five different eras, with festive writings by the likes of Samuel Pepys, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens brought to life.
There will be pear-themed decorations with Christmas trees and wreaths dotted around the site, with the chance to take a festive selfie next to a giant wreath.

Children's trail
Families can get active and let the excitement build while tracking down giant wooden presents in a discovery trail around the 270 acre site. Indoor crafts and games are planned in the house's basement bringing to life the magic of the popular festive poem 'The Night before Christmas'.

Poetry trail
A trail through the peaceful wooded terraces area will include seasonal winter poems on chalkboards dating from the 17th century.

Christmas choirs
Local choirs will be singing carols on selected weekends in the village church of St Peter which is next to the estate.

Christmas food and shopping
The tea-room is open each day serving mince pies, snacks, cakes and hot and cold drinks, and the takeaway kiosk will open on busier days. You can also warm up with a hot drink from the new café in the parkland at Old Lodge.

The National Trust shop is well stocked with cards, presents, hampers, food and drink and plenty of gift ideas in a lovely stress-free setting away from the busy high street.

On Saturdays running up to Christmas food and drink tastings are planned to sample some festive products available in the shop.

Wreath making workshops
4 December and 6 December
Make a wreath in the stables at Dyrham Park to take home. Using greenery from across the 270-acre site. Tickets include hot drinks, mince pies and all materials. Suitable for beginners, no experience required. £48 per person and booking is required through the website.

The Christmas offer runs from Fri 1 Dec to Sun 7 Jan. The whole site will be closed on Sun 24 and Mon 25 Dec. No pre-booking is required.

Prior Park 

The Christmas themed advent trail is once again returning to the garden for 2023, along with bigger and better Christmas decorations. It's a perfect place for a peaceful escape away from the city crowds.

Family Christmas trail
Follow the advent trail hidden in 24 logs around the garden. The calendar doors open to reveal seasonal images and clues to unlock a festive message. The trail will be running throughout weekends in December and during the two-week school holiday (closed 24 and 25 December).

Christmas decorations
In 2023 the decorations will be even bigger and better with the Palladian Bridge dressed in a festive garland - perfect for a winter picture, and you'll find wreaths at the Tea Shed and visitor reception.

Christmas food and drink
You’ll be able to grab a festive snack and seasonal beverages from the Tea Shed in the Cabinet, which will be open on selected days during the winter months.

Lacock 

The Christmas lights will shine bright again at Lacock for 2023, with Christmas trees twinkling in every corner, reindeer games and a festive Storytime with extra special Christmas guests. We may be biased, but we think a visit to Lacock is just the thing to get you in the festive spirit. The Abbey grounds, courtyard, cloister and Great Hall will be in a seasonal mood every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day), with our Christmas trail running from 25 November and until the end of the school holidays.

Storytime with Mother Christmas
The Servant's Hall will be transformed into a cosy Christmas grotto for 2023. Mother Christmas will be taking a break from her busy schedule (she works very hard behind the scenes you know!) to share a story, song and gifts from Father Christmas' present sack. Tickets wlll go on sale in the autumn, so check back here for updates.

Christmas in the courtyard
Father Christmas will be parking his sleigh in the Courtyard (perhaps he's partial to a cream tea from the Courtyard Tearoom?) so you can take a festive snap with the willow reindeer.

The Tudor Bakehouse will be transformed into a pop-up mail room ready to deliver your Christmas post to the North Pole. Do you have a message for Father Christmas this year?

The Great Hall at Christmas
25th November - 24th December

Whilst the rest of the house is closed for the annual deep clean, the Great Hall is re-opened for the Christmas period, with traditional decorations and an impressive tree which makes a great backdrop for a festive selfie.
Community Christmas Tree Festival

One of Lacock's best-loved traditions returns in 2023 with a display of Christmas trees decorated by local community groups, charities and schools, all displayed in the Cloister.

This year's theme is 'Light Struck' inspired by the current exhibition in the Fox Talbot Museum by artist and photographer, Ellen Carey. Each community group will be tasked with incorporating as much light, colour and creativity into their decorations as possible. Visitors will be able to scan a QR code or complete a voting slip to vote for their favourite.

Children's Reindeer Trail
From November 25 pop into Visitor Reception to collect a reindeer trail (£2) and follow the reindeers around the village and abbey grounds. Did you meet all the reindeers and play their games last year? Come back in 2023 for another chance to pick up a festive prize!

Seasonal food and drink
During a day of sight seeing and gift shopping in the village, the Stables Café will have seasonal specials for all the family . The Courtyard Cafe by the abbey will be open weekends and during the school holidays, with craft packs available with purchases for anyone wanting to add their own decoration to a Lacock tree.

Christmas shopping
Lacock’s pop-up Christmas shop will return to the Manger Barn for 2023 as the perfect place to pick up a stocking filler or festive treat. Dates to be confirmed so check back here in the autumn.

There are some charming independent shops in the village, including a National Trust Gift shop, so a day at Lacock provides a perfect opportunity to tick gifts off your list every year.

The second-hand bookshop in the Courtyard is also always a good shout for the bookworms in your life, open every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) with all kinds of books on offer, from biography to cookery, fiction to sport.

Avebury 

Visiting Avebury Manor at Christmas has become a traditional event for some families. Each year the manor is decorated with beautiful and skilfully produced hand-crafted ornaments made by volunteers. This year as you explore the manor rooms you'll be transported to different aspects of the traditional Christmas carol - The Twelve Days of Christmas. You'll see two turtle doves hanging from the chandelier in the dining room , seven swans a-swimming up the staircase, and nine ladies dancing through the Queen Anne bedroom. Why not make this your Christmas tradition? With a Christmas market, wreath-making workshops and a winter walk around the Avebury stone circles with an expert archaeologist, there's something for all the family.

Christmas at Avebury Manor: The Twelve Days of Christmas
18 November - 1 January, 11am - 4pm (last entry 3pm)

Once again the manor is decorated with delicate hand-crafted ornaments skillfully made by our dedicated volunteer team. This year we tell the story of The Twelve Days of Christmas and each room will be dressed to reflect a different part of the carol

Beginning in the Tudor Parlour, visitors will spy a handsome partridge nestled into the tree, two turtle doves will fly from the chandelier in the Dining Room and on entering the Billiard room, three fat hens will greet you.

Wandering upstairs in this historic manor, a real showpiece of the Christmas decorations will be the Queen Anne Bedroom. Here, nine dancing ladies, each one a handmade four-foot doll complete with individual satin and silk dresses, will dance round a Christmas tree.

Christmas at Avebury is especially unique as most of the decorations are handcrafted by a team of volunteers. This team work tirelessly throughout the year to make stunning pieces, using primarily recycled materials. From embroidered letters on a tree to beaded swans swimming along the front landing, there’s something to admire at every turn.

Beyond the manor, the whole site will be festively decorated. Why not pop into the Circles Restaurant to warm up with a mince pie and hot drink, or finish your Christmas shopping in style at the National Trust shop?

Christmas Events at Avebury

Christmas wreath-making workshops
Nothing says 'Christmas is here' like a handmade wreath on your front door. Join us at Avebury this year to make your very own wreath using natural foliage and Christmas decorations.

Winter walk with an archaeologist
Why not leave the crowds behind and join expert archaeologist, Dr Nick Snashall, for a winter ramble around the stone circles to learn all about the prehistory of the site and recent research into this enigmatic place?

Christmas story-time in the Dovecote
This year, families can meet Lady True Love, the recipient of the Twelve Days of Christmas gifts, in the beautifully decorated dovecote. Join her for an interactive storytime finishing with a Christmas gift.

Christmas Market at Avebury
Why not indulge in a spot of 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.

Newark Park 

Enjoy a traditional Christmas at Newark Park, with festive decorations adorning the house, wintry walks in the garden, and a visit from Father Christmas himself.

‘12 Days of Christmas’ winter trail
Weekends,  10am – 4pm November – December 2023
Discover the ’12 Days of Christmas’ as you wander through the garden. While our willow deer have done a grand job, they need your help to properly bring the story to life. Can you dance, hula hoop, and drum your way through the festive season? Trail included in the admission price.

Meet Father Christmas
Pre-booking is essential
Father Christmas is stopping at Newark Park before he heads off for his busiest night of the year. For those that have been nice, there will be a little gift and a chat with the man himself in his cosy grotto in the Drawing Room on the ground floor of Newark house.

Tickets cost £6 per child.

Christmas Wreath making 

Join the festive workshop, suitable for all abilities, where you’ll create a beautiful wreath to showcase this Christmas. £50 per adult including hot drinks and festive nibbles. Spaces are limited so please book well in advance. All materials are included.

Festive trail
Have fun exploring the garden and taking part in our festive trail. Available from 11 November 2023 - please check back here closer to Christmas for more details.

Winter walks
Take in the wintry landscape on one of the estate walks through Newark Park.

Suitable walking shoes or boots are essential for our longer walks. Please talk to the friendly visitor reception team for advice on routes and path surfaces.

For opening times, prices and details of how to book please visit the National Trust website here.