THE National Trust has the care of some of the most enchanting, historic locations in the south west – and they look their best in the run-up to Christmas. From magical illuminated trails through world-famous gardens to Christmas wreath-making workshops, from the chance to visit Santa’s grotto to the excitement of winter storytelling, here is a selection of what’s on offer over the next few weeks at Trust sites around the region.

Among the most unusual are mid-winter festivities with Viking Yule, complete with Odin and the Northern Lights. at Buckland Abbey, near Tavistock in Devon, a wish-makers machine at Kingston Lacy near Wimborne, Christmas trees decorated with golden pears at Dyrham Park near Bath, a 60-ft wreath of dried flowers at Cotehele Manor in Cornwall and learning to play carols on hand-bells in the butlers pantry at Castle Drogo, near Drewsteignton in Devon.

Kingston Lacy – an opulent family home built to resemble a Venetian palazzo, A Christmas Wish, including a Christmas Wish trail, from 30th November to 5th January, 9.30am-4pm, with a vintage carousel and decorated mansion.
The Wish Makers, friendly sprites whose hard work has transformed the house with sparkling decorations to fulfil every Christmas wish, have a wish-converter machine (which makes hopes and dreams come true) that has sent wishes flying out into the garden. Each wish is wrapped and ready for Christmas but can’t be sent without its label – gather friends and family for the day to help the Wish Makers match up labels and wishes in time to send them out.

Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire
Christmas at Dyrham, from 21st November to 5th January, with a reindeer family trail and Christmas choirs. The 17th-century mansion will be dressed for Christmas across the ages, from Tudor times right up to the 20th century. Outside, there will be Christmas trees decorated with golden pears – a nod to Dyrham’s historic pear orchards.

Saltram, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, 22nd November to 1st January
Step into the magic of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas brought to life in Saltram House, an 18th-century mansion with festive trails, grand interiors, and a captivating portrayal of this favourite rhyming story. Follow a magical festive trail through the house and an enchanting winter walk in the garden. Visits to the house need to be booked to guarantee entry and tickets to see Father Christmas.

Cotehele, Cornwall – Christmas at Cotehele, 23rd November to 5th January, 10.30am to 4pm
For more than 65 years, the garden team has continued a tradition of creating a 60ft long Christmas garland, decorated with thousands of dried flowers grown on the estate, and hung in the Great Hall. The kitchen will be dressed for a Tudor feast to be served, and the Victorian library will be transformed into a Christmas scene. Outside, there is a free Night Before Christmas family trail in the garden, or you can help Father Christmas find his reindeer on the estate and search for the missing mice at Cotehele Mill. There will also be Christmas carols and a Wassail to ensure a bumper crop in the orchards.

Killerton, traditional Christmas decorations and events in an 18th century house, 30th November to 5th January
Throughout the house there is a series of cosy scenes, from Christmas games around the fire in the music room, to afternoon tea and carol singing in the drawing room and a Christmas feast laid in the dining room laden.

Pictured: Illuminated reindeer sculpture in the garden at Montacute House, photograph by Sophie Bolesworth;
The Christmas light trail at Stourhead, photograph by James Dobson;
Knightshayes, lit up for Christmas, photograph by Tony Cobley;
Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall, photograph by Sophie Bolesworth;
Young children enjoying a Christmas ride at Lacock Abbey, photograph by James Dobson;

All images © National Trust