Christmas through the ages at Dyrham Park

Visitors can go on a festive journey back in time this Christmas at Dyrham Park with a focus on ‘Christmas Through the Ages.'

From Tudor customs to Victorian traditions to 1940s wartime celebrations right up to 1980s decadence, rooms in the house will take you on a festive audiovisual journey through time.

Objects, decorations and displays from six different eras will bring to life yuletide celebrations from bygone periods. Children can keep an eye out for little toy deer, dressed in handmade outfits of the era, hiding in each room.

A giant wreath in the garden will provide the perfect spot for a festive selfie alongside a Christmas tree decorated with golden pears and wreaths, handmade with greenery from across the 270-acre site. 

Image: Dyrham Park at Christmas, credit Steve Haywood

A family trail will run with wooden reindeer made from logs dotted around the site for little ones to track down through 270 acres of parkland. 

Local choirs will be singing in the village church of St Peter, which adjoins the National Trust site, each weekend from 23 November to 22 December at 1pm.

Wreath-making workshops are running in early December which are available to book through the website.

Refreshments will be available to buy from the 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 Christmas pudding scones, hot turkey, stuffing and gravy baps and mince pies.  

Image: Christmas at Dyrham Park, credit Steve Haywood

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.  

Visitor Operations and Experience Manager 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.’  

Image: Christmas at Dyrham Park, credit Steve Haywood

Dyrham Park’s Christmas will run from Thursday 21 November until Sunday 5 January. The trail is 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 11.30am with last entry at 3pm. The whole site is closed on 24 and 25 December.