Decorated houses, frosty gardens and Christmas cheer is promised thanks to the National Trust.
The charity’s historic homes are to be decorated in the style of Christmases gone by, allowing visitors to stroll through frosty winter gardens, discover festive crafts to try at home, and enjoy some seasonal treats.
And for younger visitors, move over Father Christmas: Percy the Park Keeper is on hand. Venues will have special winter trails inspired by some of Nick Butterworth’s much-loved characters.
The self-led trail will invite families to join Percy’s team as he races to get the park and its animals ready for winter.
After reading Percy’s handwritten note and donning his famous hat, families will follow clues to help find Percy’s equipment and enjoy activities and games as they complete the trail.
At the end of the trail families can celebrate with a photo-op with Percy and they’ll take home a prize too.
At Cliveden, near Maidenhead, there will be frosty walks across 400 acres of gardens, woodland and riverside.
Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander runs from Saturday, December 4, through to Thursday, December 23. Trail maps can be found at the information centre.
The team at Basildon Park is inviting the woodland into the house, and bringing lights to the wintry woodland.
National Trust says the walk to the house is full of shadow and mystery throughout autumn and lights transform it in winter into a twinkling promenade of hope and reflection.
Inside, a forest of Christmas trees awaits to delight the senses with the sounds of woodland animals, the smell of pine, orange and cinnamon and the gentle caress of cool, silky fir branches.
There are also wreath-making workshops to book along on the Basildon Park website from November 26.
Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander runs from Saturday, December 4, through to Monday, January 3, between 10am and 4pm.
The mansion at The Vyne, near Basingstoke, is decorated for a Victorian Christmas. Ground floor rooms are filled with trees and traditional decorations. An indoor family trail takes children on an adventure back in time.
Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander runs from Saturday, December 4, through to Monday, January 3, between 10am and 4pm.
And at Greys Court, near Henley-on-Thames, the theme is the Brunner’s family traditions, Christmas dinner will be on the dining table, there are handmade decorations, the scent of real fir trees fills the house and there will be the sound of music.
There are candlelit tours to book on selected evenings in December and, if you’re lucky, you may be able to sample some of Lady Brunner’s gingerbread, lovingly baked to her recipe by our volunteers.
National Trust properties running a Percy trail charge £2 to take part, plus normal admission fees. For more information, log on to nationaltrust.org.uk/percy
