Top twinkling Christmas days out with the National Trust in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire
Our gift to our wonderful visitors at this time of year is everything they want from Christmas in a magical day out. Our National Trust places in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire have the essence of Christmas all wrapped up in a beautiful package of gorgeously decorated houses studded with Christmas trees and twinkling with fairy lights. It’s the perfect backdrop to festive family memories.
Feast on festive cakes and bakes at the National Trust’s cafés and find original gifts for your Christmas shopping without the hassle of the high street. And don’t forget our second-hand bookshops. Why not recycle a pre-loved book as a Christmas gift?
Richard Grudzinski, Experiences Curator at the National Trust said: “The great thing about a National Trust Christmas is that everything you want in a Christmas is done for you, from trees, decorations, festive food and cosy spaces to reconnect with family and friends. Enjoy a taste of Christmas past with historic houses, dressed up with all the trimmings, at Hughenden, Waddesdon, Basildon Park and Greys Court. Or experience the wholesome joy of meeting friends and family for festivities in the outdoors at Stowe Gardens and Cliveden.”
Here’s a roundup of some of the National Trust’s best Christmas events near in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Hughenden
A Nordic Christmas
Monday 25 November – Friday 3 January
Immerse yourself in an enchanted Nordic-inspired Christmas at Hughenden, inspired by snowy landscapes and cosy interiors lit by candlelight and lanterns. Based around the stories from the Norse mythology book in Disraeli’s library, the manor is transformed with a series of enchanting and playful scenes. The manor will be glowing with warm light and atmospheric with the sights, sounds and scents of the natural world in wintertime. There’s also a family activity trail in the garden based on the Nordic fairytale, the Little Fir Tree, plus storytelling, crafting, choirs and festive food.
Waddesdon
Sleeping Beauty
15 November – 5 January
The theme for the decorations in the house this year is the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Prepare for intricate installations to gaze at in wonder. As dusk falls, the Manor’s façade illuminates with animated projections and the light trail in the garden glows with a canopy of orbs, twinkling starbursts and playful interactives. Decorated Christmas trees surround the charming wooden chalets of the Christmas Market which runs until 22 Dec and the Food Village which runs throughout.
Basildon Park
Christmas Lights, Camera, Action
16 November – 5 January
It’s Lights, Camera, Action at Basildon Park as the property plays tribute to classic Christmas films in celebration of its twenty years as a film location. There’ll be more trees, more garlands and more twinkling fairy lights, plus each decorated room will give a nod to a different Christmas movie. Look out for the video village for a chance to get involved.
Greys Court
Vintage Charm
23 November – 5 January
Well-known for its nostalgic, cosy Christmas, Greys Court is turning up the glamour this year. Experience the vintage charm of a 1930s Christmas, think cocktails, palms and peacock feathers in a family party to remember. Rest assured, Lady Brunner’s gingerbread will still be scenting the house with festive spices, thanks to our volunteer bakers. The garden will also get the glamour treatment with outsize baubles and twinkling lights.
Stowe Gardens
A Christmas Wish
30 November – 6 January
The giant twinkling Christmas tree in the New Inn courtyard is overseeing lots of comings at goings at Stowe’s Wish HQ this Christmas. See how wishes are sorted at Wish HQ Sorting Office then set off on a festive adventure around New Inn and the Gardens. There’s a wish walk, wish puzzles to solve, a ‘wish you were here’ selfie station and a ‘wish upon a star’ installation in the Temple of Venus.
Cliveden
23 November – 5 January
Experience the festive charm of Cliveden this Christmas with twinkling lights, decorated trees, and a delightful winter trail. Enjoy a cosy hot chocolate or mince pie at the Conservatory Café, and browse our winter range in the gift shop, along with seasonal finds in our second-hand bookshop.
Chastleton
A 1960s Christmas
27 November – 15 December (Wednesdays to Sundays 11am – 3pm, last entry 2.15pm)
Experience a 1960s Christmas in the style of Chastleton’s last owners, Barbara and Alan Clutton-Brock. The champagne’s on ice, the cocktails are ready and the dining table is laid out for Christmas dinner. Decorations are a cosy chaos of tinsel, paper chains, trees and piles of wrapped presents. Have a go at a classic board game and indulge in the nostalgia of vintage festive telly.
Claydon
Christmas tours
28/ 29/ 30 November 5/ 12/ 13/ 14 December
Claydon is opening for some extra special Christmas tours on selected dates in November and December. There’ll be two tours per day with a knowledgeable guide to escort you through grand rooms sumptuously decorated with trees and glowing with candlelight.
For more information see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire