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.

Buckland Abbey, Viking Yule, from 30th November to 31st December 10am-4pm
Activities include a children’s Christmas block printing workshop, Viking cooking, Winter Solstice walk, and be transported in the Great Barn through a forest and into a Viking Long Hall to celebrate Yule, where you’ll be greeted by Odin and the Northern Lights.

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.

Mompesson House – a fairytale Christmas, 22nd November to 23rd December 11am-3.30pm
Fairytales meet Victorian Christmas at this 18th-century town house in Salisbury Cathedral Close, with an immersive storytelling experience. Discover the three bears’ Christmas feast, follow Hansel’s trail to the tea-room and attend Cinderella’s grand ball in the large drawing room.

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.

Lacock – events with Mother Christmas, story time etc in this go-to location for period dramas and Harry Potter
There will be a Christmas grotto on the ground floor of the Abbey.

Trelissick, Cornwall, fun events with Father Christmas, 7th to 23rd December
Storytelling with Father Christmas includes a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick.

Trengwainton, Cornwall, Winter Lights, 29th November-1st December, 5th 8th, 12th to 15th.
In collaboration with Cornish non-profit group Tough Dough CLC, lanterns are made by local schools, community groups and artists. Stroll through the walled gardens and orchard lit by lanterns and hundreds of fairy lights. Make a Christmas wish by hanging a bauble on the wishing tree; pop into the bookshop for some winter reading and crafts; CAST café will be selling hot drinks, warming soup, cheese toasties, sausage rolls and sweet treats.

Knightshayes by Light, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 29th November to 22nd December, 4 to 7pm.
As night falls, the house and formal and woodland gardens are lit up with bright colours, highlighting the architecture and features of the garden. This year decorated trees that mirror the house will be dotted along the route.

Castle Drogo, Devon, including a Christmas family trail
Even on the wettest Dartmoor day, there is plenty to keep families entertained inside the castle – find the 13 naughty elves hiding in the rooms; learn to play a Christmas carol on hand bells in the Butler’s Pantry; dance in the service corridor with Mr and Mrs Raynor, or simply borrow a Christmas book in the library. In the garden there is a children’s trail. There will be musicians in the drawing room, storytelling in the library and the occasional visit from a certain very busy person.

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