A view of Waddesdon Manor illuminated as part of a Christmas lights event, with three lit-up Christmas trees in front of the manor and a large tree hung with bauble lights to the left — Christmas lights | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

Christmas around Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

This article was about Christmas 2024 - we'll be updating for 2025 nearer the time. Our gift to our wonderful visitors at this time of year is everything you want from Christmas in a magical day out. Our National Trust places in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire have the essence of Christmas all wrapped up in a beautiful package of gorgeously decorated houses studded with Christmas trees and twinkling with fairy lights. It’s the perfect backdrop to festive family memories.

Paper snowflakes falling from the ceiling and large Christmas tree covered in cool white lights

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A Nordic Christmas at Hughenden

25 Nov - 3 Jan. Immerse yourself in an enchanted Nordic-inspired Christmas at Hughenden, inspired by snowy landscapes and cosy interiors lit by candlelight and lanterns. Based around the stories from the Norse mythology book in Disraeli’s library, the manor is transformed with a series of enchanting and playful scenes. The manor will be glowing with warm light and atmospheric with the sights, sounds and scents of the natural world in wintertime. There’s also a family activity trail in the garden based on the Nordic fairytale, the Little Fir Tree, plus storytelling, crafting, choirs and festive food.

A decorated Christmas tree at Chastleon House, West Oxfordshire

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A 1960s Christmas at Chastleton

27 Nov - 15 Dec. Experience a 1960s Christmas in the style of Chastleton’s last owners, Barbara and Alan Clutton-Brock. The champagne’s on ice, the cocktails are ready and the dining table is laid out for Christmas dinner. Decorations are a cosy chaos of tinsel, paper chains, trees and piles of wrapped presents. Have a go at a classic board game and indulge in the nostalgia of vintage festive telly.

View towards the Gothic Temple and Palladian Bridge with snow on the ground in December at Stowe, Buckinghamshire

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Christmas at Stowe Gardens

30 Nov - 5 Jan. The giant twinkling Christmas tree in the New Inn courtyard is overseeing lots of comings at goings at Stowe’s Wish HQ this Christmas. See how wishes are sorted at Wish HQ Sorting Office then set off on a festive adventure around New Inn and the Gardens. There’s a wish walk, wish puzzles to solve, a ‘wish you were here’ selfie station and a ‘wish upon a star’ installation in the Temple of Venus.

Lifesize models of a lion and a unicorn stand among glittering Christmas trees in the Dining Parlour at The Vyne.

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Christmas at The Vyne

30 Nov - 6 Jan. The Vyne's ground floor and gardens are lavishly decorated to depict Lewis Carroll's much-loved Wonderland. Look out for whimsical and nonsensical displays inspired by ‘Looking-Glass’ such as a quirky ‘illogical’ room where glittering upside-down Christmas trees point disconcertingly to the floor. In the Stone Gallery, you’ll see a giant chess board where, in the story, Alice must play boldly to become a queen.

Images shows visitors through a doorway exploring the house at Stourhead, with a Christmas tree and lights visible in the foreground out of focus

Christmas tours at Claydon

28/ 29/ 30 Nov 5/ 12/ 13/ 14 Dec. Join us on a tour of the rooms to hear how members of the Verney family and their servants celebrated Christmas across three centuries. With shutters tightly closed the House, illuminated by dozens of flickering candles, recreates the spirit of Christmases past. Our decorations range from simple 17th century to handmade Victorian ornaments to 1950s nostalgia.

Detail of a Christmas tree, decorated with baubles and dried oranges

'Driving home for Christmas' at Nuffield Place

30 Nov - 5 Jan. Nuffield Place will once again open its doors for visitors to enjoy a cosy, festive day out. The house will be decorated and open from 10.30am each day to experience at your own pace. Grab a warm drink from the Maker Space concession horsebox to sip as you stroll around the garden and pick up a Christmas gift in the shop or second hand bookshop.

Coloured lights in the trees at Waddesdon with people in the foreground

Christmas at Waddesdon

15 Nov - 5 Jan. The Manor and grounds will once again come alive with new displays and decorations to surprise and delight you and your family, for our most enchanting Christmas experience. Inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty, Waddesdon is set to be transformed for a magical festive experience. Enjoy beautifully decorated interiors, new light projections on the Manor façade, a glittering light trail in the gardens and the return of the ever-popular Christmas market.