This Christmas pick up a decoration handmade by our volunteer carpenters

If you visit Kingston Lacy in December you will no doubt notice the wooden reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh in the courtyard, but did you know that these annual Christmas visitors are handmade by the National Trust’s team of volunteer carpenters alongside over 600 wooden Christmas decorations?

As well as creating the reindeer for the grounds, the team of 10 strong carpenters have worked tirelessly since October to make 400 reindeer that will be in the shop at Kingston Lacy alongside 100 wooden Christmas trees, and 100 wooden snowmen each with scarfs knitted by other volunteers at the property.  They have been making reindeer for Kingston Lacy Christmases for the last 6 years, over 2400 in total.  The wood for each of these sustainably sourced from the Kingston Lacy estate by the rangers. 

Wooden reindeer handmade by the Kingston Lacy carpenters can be spotted pulling Santa's sleigh this December.
Wooden reindeer handmade by the Kingston Lacy carpenters can be spotted pulling Santa's sleigh this December.
Wooden reindeer handmade by the Kingston Lacy carpenters can be spotted pulling Santa's sleigh this December.
" We are very lucky to have access to well-equipped carpentry workshop at a farm on the Kingston Lacy estate.  All of us have come from very different career backgrounds and come and volunteer here because we love the work and the company. Christmas is a busy time for us and we welcome the rest in January but it’s always very rewarding to see visitors to the house and gardens enjoying the fruits of our labours."
- Dave Scattergood, volunteer carpenter

Visit throughout December to pick up your handmade Kingston Lacy decoration made from sustainably sourced timber.

Every time you make a purchase in our shop you help us to conserve special places like Kingston Lacy.