Around Bath and Bristol, 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:
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.
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.
Christmas at Dyrham Park
Daily, 21 Nov to 5 Jan (closed 24 and 25 Dec). 10am – 4pm
Step back in time this season at Dyrham Park as we take you on a journey to Christmas through the ages. The house will be dressed in the style of different eras, from Tudor times right up until the 20th century. Outside, there will be a Christmas trees decorated with golden pears, echoing the pear theme running across the site to tie in with the orchards. We'll also have a giant wreath, perfect for Christmas selfies. Families can follow a reindeer discovery trail dotted around the 270-acre site.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Christmas choirs at Dyrham Park
Every Sat and Sun 23 Nov to 22 Dec. 1-2pm
Let the music of Christmas help you get into the festive spirit in the run up to Christmas. Local choirs will be performing on weekends in the run up to Christmas in the village church of St Peter which adjoins the estate. The church is a 15-20 minute walk from the car park.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Christmas wreath-making workshop at Dyrham Park
2 Dec, 10.30am-1pm and 1.30-4pm. 4 Dec, 10.30am-1pm
Get crafty this Christmas in a wreath-making workshop, where you'll learn how to turn natural materials into festive foliage. Make your own Christmas willow wreath to take home using fabulous foliage gathered from the across the 270-acre site. The sessions, held in the historic stables, will be led by gardener and wreath workshop expert Merryn. Tickets include a hot drink, mince pie, and all materials. Suitable for beginners, no experience required.
Price: £55. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.
Wassail celebration at Dyrham
4 Jan, 12noon-2.30pm
Join us for a wassailing event where visitors can walk round in a procession with music and celebration to bless the pear trees for a good harvest in 2025. From 12noon, visitors can make wassail sticks in the Stables. At 1pm there will be traditional music in the courtyard leading up to the great wassail procession which will start around 1.30pm. Due to finish around 2.30pm.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village
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.
Experience 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.
Meet Father Christmas at Newark Park
30 Nov and 1 Dec, 7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec. Various times – please check website
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. Your family will get a short private session with Father Christmas. Your visit will be within the 30-minute time slot you book, so you may have a short wait when you arrive.
Price: £8 per child (normal admission also applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Christmas wreath making workshop at Newark Park
5 and 6 Dec, 10am-12noon and 1-3pm. 12 Dec, 10am-12noon
Join our festive workshop, suitable for all abilities, where you’ll create a beautiful wreath to showcase this Christmas. All materials and hot drinks and festive nibbles are included.
Price: £50. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
12 Days of Christmas trail
Weekends from 30 Nov to 15 Dec. Daily 21 Dec-5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). 10am-3pm
Get into nature this Christmas as the Prior Park advent trail returns. Follow the trail around the garden and discover the 12 days of Christmas. Bring the family for a stroll, see the Christmas decorations and the Palladian Bridge dressed with festive foliage. Why not reward everyone with a hot chocolate from the Tea Shed at the end?
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not needed.
Festive lino printing workshop
18 and 20 Nov. 10am-1pm
Come and get all festive creating your very own lino cut in this 3-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 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. 
Tyntesfield
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/tyntesfield
Christmas card lino printing
2 and 4 Dec. 10.30am-1.15pm and 2-4.45pm
Fancy something festive and crafty? Lino printing your Christmas cards is the perfect activity to get you feeling Christmassy. These workshops, by local artist Gemma Lane, will demonstrate each step, and at the end of the day you'll have some beautiful handmade cards to take away with you. This session is suitable for beginners, no previous experience required, and all materials provided. Hot drinks and mince pie included.
Price: £50 per person. Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.
Wreath-making workshop
6-10 Dec, 10.30am-1pm and 2.15-4.45pm
Make your own stunning Christmas wreath using fabulous foliage gathered from the Tyntesfield estate. With oodles of festive cheer and guidance from an expert florist, Tyntesfield's own decorating angels from local florists Barley and Mabel will also be on hand. Tickets include hot drinks, mince pies, and all materials. Suitable for beginners, no experience required.
Price: £55 per person. Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.
Chapel concerts
7 Dec, 14 Dec and 21 Dec. 2.30-3.30pm
Join us in Tyntesfield’s Chapel for a special series of matinee chapel concerts, in partnership with St. George’s Bristol’s Festival of Voice. On 7 Dec, the Renewal Choir will be performing, a Bristol-based community of passionate gospel music enthusiasts who form one of the finest gospel choirs in the South West. On 14 Dec it is the turn of Fitzhardinge Consort who will be making their debut recital for Tyntesfield, performing seasonal music from across the ages. On 21 Dec, Bristol Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing a mixture of Christmas and pop songs. They believe in promoting diversity, equality, and social inclusion through their music, events, and activities. Plus, they love to have a good time while doing it.
Price: £10pp (under 5’s go free). Booking essential via the website or call 0344 249 1895.
Family reindeer making workshop
15, 21 and 22 Dec. 10.30am-12.30pm, 12.30-2.30pm, 2-4pm
During this family event an adult and child work together to construct a festive reindeer from parts provided by the Somerset Bodgers. You will be assisted by one of our experienced tutors in a small group. These workshops are very popular so book soon to avoid disappointment.
Price: £35. Booking essential via somersetbodgers@icloud.com
Tyntesfield reindeer trail
17-31 Dec (closed 24 and 25 Dec). 10.30am-3pm
The reindeer have escaped from Tyntesfield stables and are running riot across the estate. Father Christmas needs your help to track 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. Our reindeer have been lovingly made by our resident green woodworkers, the Somerset Bodgers, a group of skilled craftspeople who offer courses and workshops in this historic craft.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not needed.
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