The Christmas countdown is officially on, and National Trust Cymru are sharing a host of events, activities and days out across Wales for your calendars.
Whether you’re looking for medieval castles bursting with decorations, places for your little elves to meet Father Christmas, pick up some gifts in a Christmas market or enjoy a crisp winter walk, there’s plenty of places in Wales to make festive memories.
SOUTH WALES
Dyffryn Gardens, near Cardiff
Do you have what it takes to be a Dyffryn elf? This year join us in helping get Dyffryn ready for Christmas. Start your visit by adding to our ribbon walk, then hop into Father Christmas’ sleigh for a festive picture.
In the Cloisters and Log Stack play area you’ll find interactive Christmas scenes and games for all the family. Decorate the snowmen and add bows to the presents, play our popular nutcracker hoopla and race to see who will be able to throw the most presents into Father Christmas’ sack.
After completing your Dyffryn elf duties and playing the Christmas games, head to the second-hand bookshop in the Gallery to design and make your own felt wreaths and perhaps find some literary stocking fillers.
Open daily from 1 to 31 December. Closed 25 and 26 December; HERE
Tredegar House, Newport
Unwrap 500 years of Christmas at Tredegar House, with twinkling lights, magical atmosphere and discover the varied history of the House as a home. Explore how toys, feasting and travel were experienced throughout the House’s history from the Morgan family of the Tudor period, right through to the school girls who attended St Joseph’s school when it was based in the House in the 1950s. Look for festive lights throughout the gardens and beautiful decorations in the mansion house from 1 December and embark on a cheery discovery of the Tredegar House Christmas scene.
There will be family festive weekends on 9, 10, 16 and 17 December where the ever-popular grumpy old Scrooge will make his return to cast his disapproving eye on the Christmas festivities, but there will be plenty of choir singing and singalongs to keep the festive spirit alive and a roaming Father Christmas spreading joy to all. To make sure everyone has a chance to visit and enjoy the magical Christmas at Tredegar House there’s late-night opening on 8, 15, 18, 19 and 20 December until 8pm.
House and Garden open Friday to Monday from 1 to 22 December. Parkland and tea-room open daily. Closed 24, 25 and 26 December; HERE
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
Dinefwr kicks off the Christmas period with their annual Christmas Fair on the 24, 25 and 26 November where the frontage of Newton House will host festive stalls, selling a range of beautiful wares from handmade jewellery to tasty preserves. A highlight not to be missed.
There’s a warm festive welcome in Newton House, with the spectacular tree in the Outer Hall, the staircase and fireplaces will be adorned, and the twinkling lights will make you feel right at home. The theme this year is ‘Woodland Banquet’, with an eccentric nature themed table, gorgeous stockings and lots of treats for the senses throughout the house. Father Christmas will also be in his magical grotto every weekend up to 17 December (booking essential).
Get into the festive spirit with an evening of community carols on 15 December or revel in the Welsh wassailing folk tradition of Mari Lwyd on 22 and 29 December. There are ample walks to be enjoyed on the estate too, the walk up to the castle is not to be missed, and a traipse along the North Drive to the Cattle Shed where the White Park Cattle will be settled for the winter.
Newton House and café open on weekends from 25 November to 31 December, as well as weekdays from 26 to 29 December. Parkland open daily (Deer Park closed); HERE
Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby
Discover how the Tudors have influenced our Christmas celebrations today at the Tudor Merchant’s House, a small historic house nestled in the streets of Tenby. Step back in time and explore the house and its traditions, admire the Tudor wall hangings from a bygone era as the delicate scent of oranges and cloves fills the air. Little ones can meet the Lord of Misrule traditionally in charge of the Feast of Fools the celebration originally held at this time of year in Tudor times and receive a free Tudor toy to take home while stocks last.
Open on 1, 2, 8 and 9 December. Full details – HERE
MID WALES
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
For a truly magical Christmas experience, it doesn’t get much better than a visit to a 13th century medieval castle. This Christmas, each State Room will take inspiration from the treasures that lie within. Visitors will be transported to different parts of the world as they explore beautifully decorated spaces, over-the-top Christmas trees, and festive fireplaces. Enjoy an Italian Christmas experience with a Venetian twist in the Dining Room, an Elizabethan theme in the Long Gallery and glistening Chinese decorations in the Blue Drawing Room.
Seeing the castle lit up after dusk is truly magical. As you step into the courtyard, enjoy a lighting display which illuminates the grand walls of the 13th century castle from 14 to 23 December.
Throughout December, look out for ‘gardeners notes’ which will be dotted around the garden to discover top tips for gardening at this time of year. Finish your day off with a festive meal in the tea-room and some last-minute Christmas shopping.
Open daily from 2 to 31 December. From 14 to 23 December, the Castle, Tea-Room and Shop will also be open late until 7pm. Closed 25 and 26 December; HERE
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
The Christmas Fair at Llanerchaeron is back on 1, 2 and 3 December. Enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine as you explore the grounds of the estate, filled with stalls showcasing local produce, food and music. The Georgian villa will open its doors for three days and be decorated with sustainable Christmas decorations across the ground floor. Families will have the chance to meet Father Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 December, and receive a gift.
Get wreathmaking with Gardener Meg on 8, 9 and 10 December and create a gorgeous wreath from natural materials found throughout Llanerchaeron’s estate (booking essential). On weekends during the festive season, wrap up warm and explore the woodland trail which will guide you through the parkland to spot the tiny painted doors in the woodland.
Gardens, farmyard and lakeside walk open every weekend; HERE
NORTH WALES
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Fire young imaginations as this medieval fortress is filled with enchanting decorations and ornate Christmas trees that are hung with unique adornments. This year’s enchanted castle theme is inspired by a fantastical painting in the collection; ‘Orpheus Charming The Animals’, dating to the early 1600s. Look out for a range of animals including birds in flight and monkeys causing havoc as you wander through the castle. Finish your visit with an immersive experience in the East Wing, which will be especially open for the holiday season.
Outside, wrap up warm, grab a festive hot drink or treat from our tearoom and enjoy a wintery walk through the 480-acre parkland – it’s spectacular with a fine dusting of winter frost. Enjoy the gift of giving by donating to the Oswestry and Borders foodbanks this Christmas. Chirk Castle will be taking food donations daily throughout December, but Father Christmas will be there to thank you at weekends between 2 –17 December.
You can also enjoy supper with Santa on 15 December for an additional charge. Listen as he reads a story and enjoy a festive feast with all the trimmings. Children will receive a small gift (booking is essential).
Open daily from 2 December to 7 January. Property closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January; HERE
Erddig, Wrexham
Erddig are pulling out all the stops this Christmas to celebrate 50 years since the property was acquired by National Trust Cymru. Much of the house will be dressed for the occasion with some of the silver in the collection on display in the dining room and a staggering 2,268 wrapped presents in the Tribes Room. Staff and volunteers have been busy wrapping up the presents, with each one representing 10 items in the collection.
On selected days there will be marshmallow toasting, craft activities including making a tree decoration, storytelling, live music from a string trio band and Breakfast (or supper) with Santa will also be returning (additional charges apply). Don’t forget to leave a donation for the Wrexham foodbank at the Reverse Grotto where Father Christmas will be present on weekends to help say thank you.
Open daily from 2 December to 7 January. Property closed 24 and 25 December; HERE
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
Celebrate all the traditions that bring us together over the festive period as you explore this dramatic castle bursting with ornate decorations. The ground-floor will be dressed with glistening Christmas trees including a giant tree on the Grand Staircase, perfect to get your festive family photo. In the Library you can sit back and relax with a book, re-visit some favourite board games in the Games Room or head to the Victorian Kitchens to share your Christmas recipes as the smell of festive treats fills the air.
Grab a hot chocolate from the tea-room and enjoy a winter walk around the garden and grounds and take a selfie under the giant wreath.
Open every weekend from 25 November to 17 December, on weekdays from 18 December to 22 December, and from 27 to 31 December. Closed 23, 24, 25 and 26 December; HERE
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
Put on your dancing shoes as Plas Newydd invites you to a silent disco this Christmas. The Music Room will be decorated to create a party atmosphere, complete with disco lights and party games following in the footsteps of past residents where many parties were held (booking essential).
After an afternoon of dancing, wrap up warm and explore the beautiful grounds with breath-taking views of the Menai Strait. Enjoy a winter walk through the garden before warming up with a festive treat in the café who are cooking up a feast with a set three course meal with the option of adding a fun spritzy drink to celebrate the season in style (booking essential).
Open every weekend from 2 to 31 December, Garden, Shop and Café will also be open on weekdays from 20 to 29 December. Closed 25 and 26 December; HERE
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
With intimate corners, sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland, there are many gardens in one at Bodnant. Blow away the winter cobwebs with a festive stroll through the accessible winter garden with its sensational display of foliage, flower, and scent or follow the longer route around Furnace Hill. Both will leave you hungry for some delicious festive treats from the tea-rooms.
If you fancy a break from the cooking in the run up to the big day why not treat yourself to a two course Christmas lunch in the Pavilion tea-room? From Thursday to Sunday, 7 to 23 December between 12pm and 2.30pm (booking in advance essential – gluten free and vegan option available).
Open daily. Closed 24, 25 and 26 December; HERE
To find a National Trust Cymru festive day out near you, go HERE
