Christmas at Cliveden

christmas trail cliveden

After such an uncertain time, what could be more reassuring than to make this year's winter and Christmas memories at Cliveden, an estate ripe for living out your family traditions, or for creating new ones.

Winter is a wonderful time of year to reconnect with family and friends on frosty walks in the great outdoors, and what better place to spend time making new memories or picking up where you left off by retracing old, familiar steps than the 400 acres of gardens, woodland and riverside at Cliveden?

Cliveden's Parterre on a winter's morning
Cliveden's Parterre on a winter's morning
Cliveden's Parterre on a winter's morning

There are plenty of warming, seasonal drinks and snacks to fuel your adventures too, so pick up your favourite treat and head out to enjoy the views across the Thames Valley through the frames of the bare trees.  Young explorers can let off steam in the Story Book Play Den, the Maze or in the Woodland Play trail any time, but this year's seasonal highlight is Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail.

 

Family winter trail - Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander trail

Percy the Park Keeper needs your help - he's really busy as there's a lot to get done in winter.  Step into his 'wellies' to lend him a hand as his helper for the day.  There's lots to do, and you'll have the help of Percy's animal friends who will accompany you around the Cliveden estate, noticing what's around in winter and looking after animals and habitats.  You'll have to follow clues and a note from Percy to find lost items and get the tasks done, but there will be plenty of fun along the way, with games to play and a prize to collect at the end and a chance to capture your experience of the day to keep as a memory.

The trail runs from 4 December to 23 December and costs £2 per child; normal admission to the estate applies.  Meet by the Info Centre to collect a trail map.

Percy the Park Keeper

Take part in Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail

We're inviting you to embark on Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail at Cliveden. Join in the fun with Percy and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand.

Children exploring in the park
Two children in a park
Children exploring in the park

If you've had a great time as a family on the Percy the Park Keeper trail, why not text CLIVEDEN to 70525 and donate £5 to help us maintain the property for future visitors and wildlife.

You will be charged £5 plus one standard rate message. The National Trust (Registered Charity 205846) will receive 100% of your donation. You must be aged 16 or over to send a text donation. Please make sure you have the bill payer's permission before donating. This SMS service is being provided for The National Trust by Fonix Mobile PLC, 23 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BQ. Full terms and conditions and our Privacy Policy can be found on our website www.nationaltrust.org.uk.​

Play at Cliveden

Play is a major theme for the National Trust this year.  Perhaps more than ever, play is something we all need to help us reconnect with each other and our playful side.  Read on to find out how you can play and have fun at Cliveden this winter.

  1. 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾ - Pick up a leaflet from the Information Centre and have fun completing the National Trust's 50 suggestions to get children close to nature. (See below for more information).
  2. Storybook Play Den is ideal for little ones to let off steam under your watchful eye. Please follow the How to Stay Safe and Play Safely sign by the entrance to the play area.  Please note it normally closes at 4pm.
  3. The Kiosk in the Walled Garden is open for you to grab a cuppa and a snack to fuel your adventures around the estate. 
  4. The Woodlands offer you and the children a chance to really stretch your legs. Within the acres of trees and winding paths, you'll find the Woodland Play Trail, where children aged six and above can challenge themselves by building, balancing and climbing.

Winter walking on the estate; an Astor family tradition

It was an Astor family tradition to walk the estate around Christmas time, and now you can make it part of your family tradition too. With 300 acres of natural woodlands to explore, there's lots to discover whilst enjoying some much needed fresh air. Stroll along the dog-friendly paths to take in the winter views of the Berkshire country side.

Families may want to head to the natural play trail where around every corner there’s a new challenge to test children’s exploring, balancing and den building skills. Make sure you find ‘Clive’s Den’, an oversized hide-out constructed by Cliveden’s rangers, complete with picnic tables.

Close up shot of walking boots

Walking  

Cliveden's wider estate offers extensive views across the Berkshire countryside and scenes of the river Thames below. We have downloadable walking trails for all abilities which take you around some of the top spots on the estate, from our formal gardens to the depths of the woodlands. Choose the one for you.

Pick out seasonal gifts in Cliveden's Shop

If wintry and festive cheer hasn't rubbed off on you yet, simply step inside Cliveden's shop and enter an emporium of Christmas delights. Pick up a bargain for yourself or a loved one- with everything from clothing and accessories, to homeware, books and delicious food and drink gifts, you're sure to find something for everyone on your list.