picture of a family Meeting Father Christmas

Festive activities at the National Trust this Christmas

Get that festive feeling with the National Trust in and around Devon this Christmas

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/regionsouthwest/devon

Across Devon, 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 Father Christmas, open fires and mince pies. There’s lots on offer this season, from guided tours to candlelit stories and traditional decorations to Christmas craft workshops.

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:

Arlington Court

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum

I Am the Seed that Grew the Tree exhibition

Daily, 10am - 4pm.

Take a walk through the seasons with the I Am the Seed that Grew the Tree outdoor exhibition, with exquisite nature scenes and poems for every month of the year, there is an artistic treat around every corner.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

A Victorian family Christmas

Every Sat and Sun from 19 Nov to 18 Dec. 11am - 3.30pm

See the house decorated for Christmas in all its Victorian splendour, from the sumptuous dining room, the Ante Room & White Drawing room where the family have opened their presents, to the Staircase Hall with a 16ft real Christmas tree and decorated balustrades.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

After hours Christmas house tour

Fri 9 and Thu 15 Dec. 6 – 6.45pm, 6.45 – 7.30pm, 7.30 – 8.15pm

Experience the magic after hours at Arlington Court on this guided tour. See the house decorated for a Victorian Christmas evening. Warm up with a festive drink and snack on arrival before being escorted to the house for a 45 minute tour.

Price: £12 (normal admission prices apply). Booking essential.

Image of A family meeting Father Christmas in the Santas Grotto at Arlington Court and Carriage Museum Devon

Ghost stories in the Staircase Hall

Sat 3 and Sun 4 Dec, 7.30-9pm

Montague Rhodes James [1862 – 1936] wrote his ghost stories to perform to friends in the years leading up to WWI. Today they have lost nothing of their power to terrify and amuse. Join us in the Staircase Hall for two evenings of candlelit stories by Nunkie Theatre Company. Performing two of James’s very best, 'Casting the Runes' and 'Dead Man's Eyes' these thrilling one-man shows are sure to excite.

Price: £18 per person, Booking essential

Father Christmas at Arlington
Sat 17 and Sun 18 Dec. 12-3pm

Come and visit the festive grotto in the stables and meet our traditional green Father Christmas who is visiting Arlington Court for one weekend. All good children will receive a present.

Price: £6 per child. Booking essential.

Buckland Abbey

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

A magical woodland Christmas at Buckland

Sat 3 to Sat 31 Dec, 10am-4pm

This year the Great Barn at Buckland will once again be brought to life with a sea of Christmas trees. Take a walk through a magical woodland, experience the changing times of day and the sounds of the forest as you look for animals at every turn.

Price: Free (normal admission charges apply). Booking not required.

Christmas Cooking in the Tudor Kitchen

Sun 4, Sun 11 and Tues 20 Dec, 11am – 2pm

Experience the sights and smells of a working historical kitchen as you join the costumed volunteers, giving displays and talks about their historical Tudor bakes and makes. Take home recipe cards and try out the food for yourself at home.

Price: Free (normal admission charges apply). Booking not required.

Olde Father Christmas

Sat 17 and Sun 18 Dec. 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm and 3pm

Come and listen to festive stories told by Olde Father Christmas himself, before having a moment to ask him your Christmas wish.

Price: Please see website for prices. Booking essential

Castle Drogo

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

Christmas in the Castle

Fri, Sat & Sun 2 – 18 Dec & daily 19 – 23 Dec. 10.30am – 3.30pm

Join us this Christmas for music and magic. We'll be decorating the Castle ready for a Christmas eve party, just like the Drewe family in the 1920's. Throughout the Christmas period we will be inviting local musicians to play in the castle, come and join us for a carol or two. Basil Drewe was a keen magician, performing tricks for his family. Learn a magic trick and amaze your family just like Basil.

Price: Free (normal admission charges apply). Booking not required.

Coleton Fishacre

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

A Winter’s Tide

Weekends 4 Dec – 19 Dec, daily 27-31 Dec, and 7-8 Jan, 11am-3pm

Experience the wonder of a winter’s tide this Christmas at Coleton Fishacre. Inspired by the landscape and theatrical heritage of the family, the ground floor will be transformed with a festive twist that embraces the senses, dazzles and delights. Set sail with the indoor spotter trail and discover traditions from near and far.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Dunster Castle

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle-and-watermill

A Country Christmas

Sat and Sun 4 Dec – 18 Dec, daily 19 Dec – 2 Jan, 10am – 3pm

Experience a cosy castle, decorated for a family Christmas as the Luttrells enjoyed when they lived here. Take in the spectacularly decorated trees, natural garlands made from plants collected from the gardens, and spot our friendly knitted creatures hiding in the rooms.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). No booking required.

Child at Dunster Castle, Somerset ©National Trust Images, John Millar

Finch Foundry

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

St Clement’s Day

Sat 19 Nov, 10am - 4pm

Local blacksmiths will gather together at Finch Foundry to celebrate their patron saint, St Clement. Join us to appreciate this traditional craft in action as these skilled smiths compete and create.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Greenway

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Christmas with Miss Marple

Weekends 4 Dec – 19 Dec, daily 27-31 Dec, 11am-3pm

Celebrate a festive holiday with Miss Marple at Greenway. Inspired by Agatha Christie’s beloved sleuth, the house will be filled with traditional and handcrafted decorations. Step into Miss Marple’s slippers on the indoor mystery trail and get crafty in the House Kitchen with Christmas decorations. Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Event booking not required. If travelling by car, parking must be booked in advance.

Heddon Valley

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/heddon-valley

Family Christmas trail

Sat 17 Dec to Mon 2 Jan, 10.30am – 4pm

Heddon Valley, set on the West Exmoor coast, is the ideal place for a winter walk along the wooded valley down to Heddon’s Mouth Beach. This festive period, families can follow a Christmas trail with activities to do and things to spot along the way. Pick up your trail sheet from the National Trust Pantry and cosy down in our welcome hub afterwards with a hot chocolate and a sweet treat or two.

Price: £1 per trail (car parking charges apply for non-members). Booking not required.

Killerton

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Christmas at Killerton

Sat 26 Nov to Mon 2 Jan, 11am – 3pm

Enter the hallway of Killerton House and step back in time to embrace a traditional Christmas. The ground floor of the house will be decorated with festive Christmas trees and mantlepieces. Foliage and natural, handmade decorations will brighten each room and enlighten the senses. The traditional touch takes us back to years gone by when the house was a family home. Embrace the spirit of Christmas with a visit the chapel to see the decorated community Christmas trees.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Family Christmas trail

Sat 26 Nov to Mon 2 Jan, 11am – 3pm

Wrap up warm and cosy as we bring festive joy to our younger visitors with a Christmas play trail. There will be Christmas themed family games and lots of festive fun to be had around the garden and chapel grounds.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Knightshayes

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes

Christmas at Knightshayes
Sat 3 Dec to Mon 2 Jan, 11am – 3pm

Christmas is a magical time at Knightshayes. Soak in the festive atmosphere as you explore the formal garden and ground floor of the house which will be adorned with festive foliage. Sparkling Christmas trees will be surrounded by gifts, choir music will fill the Hall and fairy lights will twinkle from the garlands.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Father Christmas

Sat and Sun 3 - 18 Dec, daily 19 - 23 Dec, 11am – 3.30pm

Our traditional green suited Father Christmas will be telling stories and giving gifts. Attendees will be invited to try their hand at a festive craft activity prior to meeting Father Christmas.

Price: £10 per child (normal admission applies). Booking essential.

Saltram

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram

Saltram’s Christmastime Ball
Fri 25 Nov to Mon 2 Jan, 11am-5pm

Welcome, welcome one and all, we are delighted to invite you to Saltram’s Christmastime Ball.

The house will once again be adorned with extravagant decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, and beautiful baubles to create that magical Christmas experience that we know and love at Saltram. This year’s theme will showcase a magical, extravagant, and luxurious Georgian style Christmas ball within Saltram’s ornate eighteenth century show rooms, it is a most anticipated invitation.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking essential via website.