Christmas through the ages at Dyrham Park

From Tudor traditions right up until wartime celebrations in the 1940s, five rooms in the house cover five different eras using sights, sounds and smells to bring to life yuletide celebrations from bygone periods. As well as objects, decorations and displays, festive writings by the likes of Samuel Pepys, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens are brought to life.

Christmas trees decorated with golden pears are filling the National Trust site with festive magic alongside wreaths, handmade with greenery from across the 270-acre site. A giant wreath in the garden provides the perfect spot for a Christmas selfie.

A family trail is running with large wooden presents dotted around the site for little ones to open and find facts and questions about Christmases past.

Festive poetry from the past can also be explored through a trail of seasonal verse through the peaceful wooded terraces area.  

Seasonal crafts and traditional games are running in the house’s basement, bringing to life the magic of the popular festive poem ‘The Night before Christmas’. A little mouse named Wynter will guide children on their wintry ways.

Local choirs will be singing outside and 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 in the parkland as well as the main tea-room. On busy days, a takeaway kiosk will also be open. There will be seasonal twists to the menu including a sprout, bacon and chestnut scone and mince pie brownies.

The National Trust shop is well-stocked with cards, food and gift ideas away from the busy high streets. Festive tastings are planned on selected dates as well.

Senior Visitor Experience Officer Elizabeth Marshall said: ‘It’s a magical time to visit Dyrham Park with the parkland and garden full of winter beauty and this year we’re doing Christmas on a much bigger scale than ever before. Brace yourselves to for a journey back in time to a very special celebration of Christmases past in the house. The children’s trail will keep the whole family guessing, the wreaths and Christmas trees provide some amazing photo opportunities, and the tea-room and shop are ideal for a chance to refuel and stock up.’

Dyrham Park’s Christmas offer is running now until Sunday 7 January. 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 11am with last entry at 3pm. The whole site is closed on December 24 and 25.