Christmas at Dyrham Park

This year we invite you on special journey through time as we explore Christmas through the ages.

Travel through time in the house

The house will be dressed with festive decorations from five different eras. Visitors can work out which room matches which period, helped by decorations, yuletide customs and objects. Festive writings by the likes of Samuel Pepys, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens will be brought to life.

Visitors enjoying a traditional Christmas trail at Dyrham Park | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Trees, wreaths and festive pears

There will be pear-themed decorations with Christmas trees and wreaths dotted around the site, with the chance to take a festive selfie next to a giant wreath.

Children's trail

Families can get active and let the excitement build while tracking down giant wooden presents in a discovery trail around the 270 acre site. Inside each one is a Christmas through the ages quiz question to keep the whole family on their toes.

Indoor crafts

Seasonal crafts and traditional games are planned in the house's basement bringing to life the magic of the popular festive poem 'The Night before Christmas'. A little mouse named 'Wynter' will guide you on your wintry way.

Visitors on a winter trail through the parkland at Dyrham Park | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Poetry trail

A trail through the peaceful wooded terraces area will include seasonal winter poems on chalkboards dating from Christmases past.

Christmas choirs

Local choirs will be singing carols and festive tunes on selected weekends in the run up to Christmas, some outside by the garden or inside the village church of St Peter which is next to the estate. Times and dates can be found here.

Make a wreath

Wreath-making workshops being held in early December are now sold out.

Christmas food and shopping

The tea-room is open each day serving mince pies, snacks, cakes and hot and cold drinks, and the takeaway kiosk will open on busier days. You can also warm up with a hot drink from the new café in the parkland at Old Lodge.

The National Trust shop is well stocked with cards, presents, hampers, food and drink and plenty of gift ideas in a lovely stress-free setting away from the busy high street.

On selected dates running up to Christmas, food and drink tastings are planned to sample some festive products available in the shop. These are planned for Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 8 and Dec 16.

Dates and details

The Christmas offer runs from Fri 1 Dec to Sun 7 Jan. The whole site will be closed on Sun 24 and Mon 25 Dec. No pre-booking is required.

Visitors exploring the Christmas decorations inside the house at Killerton, Devon

Get into the festive spirit

From wreath-making workshops and carol concerts to winter illuminations, find Christmas days out near you.

Plan your Christmas visit

Italianate double staircase on the west front at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire

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Things to see and do in the house at Dyrham Park

The main phases of conservation and decorative work in the house at Dyrham Park are now complete and you can explore beautifully presented rooms, delve into the house's history and discover what it was like to live in the 17th century.

A visitor in the cafe at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire

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Visitors walking in the parkland in summer at Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire

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Historic houses decked out for Christmas

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