Christmas with the National Trust, Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank Mill and Lyme Park

From the sights and sounds of a Tudor Christmas to the more traditional Victorian celebrations - and not forgetting visits by Father Christmas himself. Delicious local, seasonal and festive food will be on offer in our restaurants and tea rooms, and there’ll be a range of gifts to suit all tastes at National Trust shops, where you can do your Christmas shopping in relaxing surroundings without the hassle of crowds and trying to find that elusive car parking space!

At Dunham Massey, Christmas is one of the best times to see the magical Winter Garden – so wrap up warm and seek out wonderful colours of winter stems such as the snake bark Acers, cherries, white stemmed birch, dog woods and willows which contrast with the deep greens of hollies and other evergreens, as well as the purples and reds of winter berries and winter crocus. Father Christmas will be visiting Dunham on 18 and 19 December, whilst in the Stables Restaurant enjoy there are still some spaces left to enjoy Christmas lunches. Sarah Talbot, Dunham’s Visitor Services Manager says: “This year for the first time, we’re having Christmas storytelling in Dunham’s dining room on 21 December. Visitors will also be able to get up close to our huge Christmas tree and the other wonderful traditional decorations in this magnificent room on 20 and 21 December – so it’s well worth a visit. We also have another new event – a lantern trail around the Winter Garden running from 18 December until 3 January”.

At Quarry Bank Mill, the theme is a Victorian Christmas. On weekends from 4 – 19 December, the Victorian festive spirit really kicks in with festive fun, a huge Christmas tree, shopping and delicious seasonal food on offer in the Mill restaurant such as gingerbread, mince pies and mini Christmas puds!,. You can also find out what it was like at Christmas time for pauper children who worked at the Mill in Victorian times and how they each received a sugar mouse from the Mill Manager as a Christmas present. Special ‘Christmas at the Victorian Apprentice House’ tours will be running on weekends of 11 – 12 and 18 – 19 December, and children who complete a Christmas trail around the Mill will also get a sugar mouse to enjoy! Ros Stone, Visitor Experience Manager at Quarry Bank says: “There’ll be lots going on – we’ve got Victorian horse and carriage rides on the mill meadow each weekend, local choirs will be singing traditional carols and we’ll have a Victorian storyteller to weave some magic tales. Victorian costumed characters will be selling traditional goodies such as gingerbread, toffee apples and lollipops, and there’ll be roast chestnuts on the brazier in the Mill Yard”.

At the delightful black and white timbered Little Moreton Hall, the theme is a Tudor Christmas. On weekends from 4 – 19 December, you can see the magnificent Great Hall decorated with seasonal greenery and the huge oak table set out for a Christmas feast - all to the sound of traditional 16th century music wafting through the building played by specialist musicians dressed in period costume.

For younger visitors, storyteller Helen Stuart will be in the Chapel telling spellbinding Christmas tales – and there’s also a Christmas trail to follow. .

Finally to Lyme Park which will echo to the sound of horses’ hoofs as a horse and carriage will be offering visitors a chance to arrive in style at the main Hall for Lyme’s ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ events on 5, 12 and 19 December. .. Georgina Ferguson, Lyme’s Visitor Experience Manager said: “The horses and carriages are very popular – and it’s a totally new way of arriving at Lyme. Once visitors have disembarked from the carriage, they can enjoy ‘Christmas in the Courtyard’ and meet Father Christmas who’ll be with us in his grotto on each of the three Sundays to welcome our younger visitors”.

“We’ll also have Christmas stalls with a great range of seasonal gifts, as well as music and carols. In the restaurant, there’s still some availability for Christmas lunches during December, but places are going fast. Our menu includes delicious dishes such as Cream Cauliflower and Celeriac Soup, Baked Derbyshire Oatcake, Double Chocolate Mousse and traditional Christmas Pudding – with mulled wine and light bites to start. The cost is £25.95. To book call 01663 761404”.

For full details of all Christmas events and opening times at National Trust properties in Cheshire, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.