Christmas is a time for togetherness so gather your loved ones and step in from the cold as you enjoy plenty of festive cheer with National Trust Cymru.
This is the time to feel the warmth of festive family days in beautiful places, to reunite, rekindle and remember what really matters.
Grace Davies, Experiences and Partnerships Curator, National Trust Cymru, says:
“Christmas is a special time to spend with special people, and this year there’s something for everyone at the places we care for across Wales.
Whether you’re looking for medieval castles bursting with decorations, opportunities for your little elves to meet Father Christmas, or crisp winter walks, we’ll be delighted to welcome you and your loved ones to make festive memories.”
After all that, warm yourself with the knowledge that each magical day out with National Trust Cymru supports the charity’s work looking after special places for everyone, for ever.
North Wales:
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
With intimate corners, sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland, there are many gardens in one at Bodnant. Blow away the winter cobwebs with a festive stroll through the accessible winter garden with its sensational display of foliage, flower, and scent or follow the longer route around Furnace Hill. Both will leave you hungry for some delicious festive treats from the tea-rooms.
Open daily 10am-4pm. Last entry 3.30pm. Closed 24-26 December. Normal admission charges apply.
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
This magnificent medieval fortress is filled with extravagant decorations and ornate Christmas trees that are hung with unique adornments inspired by nature and the castle’s collection. Outside, wrap up warm and enjoy a wintery walk through the 480-acre parkland – it’s spectacular with a fine dusting of winter frost. Enjoy the gift of giving by donating to the Oswestry and Borders foodbanks this Christmas. Chirk Castle will be taking food donations daily throughout December, but Father Christmas will be there to thank you at weekends from 3 December.
10am to 4pm from 3-23 December. The castle interior is open 11am-4pm, last entry 3.30pm. Reverse Grotto is open on weekends 3-18 December, 10:30am-3:30pm. Normal admission charges apply, no additional event charges.
Erddig, Wrexham
Admire wreaths, garlands and natural decorations created by a talented team of volunteers or visit the garden to see the house transformed into a giant advent calendar, where a new ‘advent window’ will shine out from the mansion each day. With an outdoor trail that’s perfect for little explorers, there’s something for everyone at Erddig this Christmas. Don’t forget to leave a donation for the Wrexham foodbank at the Reverse Grotto where Father Christmas will be joining us on weekends to help say thank you. There’s no better way to make the nice list!
11am to 4pm from 3-24 December. The house interior is open 11.30am to 2.30pm (last entry 2pm). Reverse Grotto is open on weekends from 3 to 18 December. Normal admission charges apply, no additional event charges.
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
Celebrate all the traditions that bring us together over the festive period as you head into this dramatic castle bursting with ornate decorations. In the Ebony Room, discover the joy of watercolours and unwind by sewing in the Drawing Room before settling down in the library with a good book or a board game. Outdoors, pick up winter gardening tips and take a selfie with loved ones at the giant wreath or head to the kitchens to share your Christmas recipes as the smell of festive treats fills the air. If you’re looking to connect and get a taste of Christmas, Penrhyn Castle is the place to be this festive season.
Booking advisable. Open weekends from 26 November – 18 December, 10am-4pm, last entry 3pm. Normal admission charges apply.
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
At weekends, wrap up warm and explore the beautiful grounds at Plas Newydd with their breath-taking views of the Menai Strait. The Grade 1-listed landscape at Plas Newydd consists of 40 acres of garden and 129 acres of woodland and parkland. Enjoy the winter decorations throughout the garden before warming up with a festive treat in the café.
Open weekends from 26th November – 18th December, 10:30am-3:30pm, last entry 3pm. Normal admission charges apply.
Mid Wales:
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
The Christmas Fair at Llanerchaeron is back after two years. Enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine as you explore the grounds of the estate, filled with stalls showcasing local produce, food and music. The Georgian villa will open its doors for three days and be decorated with sustainable Christmas decorations across the ground floor. Families will have the chance to meet Father Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, 3 and 4 December, and receive a gift. Throughout the festive season, wrap up warm and explore the woodland trail which will guide you through the parkland to spot the tiny painted doors in the woodland.
Christmas Fair 2, 3 and 4 December 2022, 10am–4pm. The Georgian Villa re-opens for the Christmas Fair, before opening fully 22 February 2023. Normal admission applies, apart from the Fair where charges are £5 for those over 18. Christmas Fair admission is free for children under 18 and National Trust members. Booking needed for workshops only. Woodland walks open daily, dawn to dusk. Gardens, farmyard, lake, book shop open weekends until 22 February 2023 (please check website for opening times as it varies across site).
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
This festive season over-the-top Christmas trees, festive fireplaces and beautiful lights transform the 13th-century castle into a magical experience. Taking inspiration from the treasures that lie within, each State Room will transport you to different eras and parts of the world. Venetian, Chinese, Elizabethan – there’s something special to discover in every corner of the castle this Christmas. Throughout December, younger explorers are invited to follow clues dotted around the world-famous garden and discover the signs in nature that tell Hawys the hedgehog to hibernate.
Garden open every day 10am to 4pm. Castle open 3–18 December, 12noon to 7pm and 19–24 December, 12noon to 4pm. Whole site closed 25-26 December. Normal admission charges apply, no additional event charges.
South Wales:
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
There’s a warm festive welcome in Newton House, with the spectacular tree in the Outer Hall and sustainable Christmas decorations themed around the ‘Creatures of Dinefwr’. From meeting Father Christmas on weekends from 3–19 December, to listening to poetry and stories, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get into the festive spirit with an evening of community carols on 14 December or the Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd on 21 December, or enjoy wild walks through the ancient woodlands and roam the glittering parkland.
During the Christmas Fair on the 25-27 November, 10.30am-4.30pm, the frontage of Newton House will host festive stalls, selling a range of beautiful wares from handmade jewellery to tasty preserves. Event entry will reflect normal admission charges.
Newton House and café open on weekends 25 November–23 December, 10.30am–3.30pm, before opening daily from the 26 December-5 January. Closed 24-25 December. Normal admission apply. Booking is essential to meet Father Christmas and for Mari Lwyd (6-8pm). Car park and castle open 10am-4pm, Monday–Sunday.
Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
This year, at Dyffryn Gardens you and your loved ones can quite literally step into Christmas. With three life-size Edwardian Christmas cards dotted around the garden, you can step inside a Christmas from a bygone era. Let your imagination run away with you and drive Father Christmas’ sleigh all the way to the North Pole, be part of a winter snowman scene and make friends with the Nutcracker. You can try your hand at fun Christmas games, admire the floral decorations and grab a hot seasonal drink. Plus, every weekend during December choirs will be singing Christmas classics old and new.
3 December 2022 – 6 January 2023 (excluding 25-26 December), 10am-4pm. Normal admission charges apply, no additional event charges.
Tredegar House, Newport
The trees are up, stockings are hung and a traditional Tredegar House Christmas awaits you. From Yuletide tours with experts that explore Christmases past, to family arts and crafts workshops and a magical musical weekend of songs and good cheer, Tredegar’s festive events have something for everyone to enjoy. Mr Scrooge also returns to Tredegar House this Christmas – for every “Merry Christmas” he hears, there’s a “Bah, Humbug!” in response. Look out for his faded night gown and furrowed frown as you wander through the mansion house.
Don’t forget to explore stalls of local produce and beautiful wares at the Cotyledon food and craft market 10am-4pm, 10-11 December.
House and gardens open Fridays – Mondays, 10.30am-4pm (last entry at 3pm), 2–16 December, before opening daily 17–22 December. The Brewhouse Café is open daily 10am–4pm. The parkland is open daily, dawn to dusk. Normal admission charges apply to the house and gardens. Tours must be booked in advance.
Tudor Merchant’s House, Tenby
Discover how the Tudors have influenced our Christmas celebrations today at the Tudor Merchant’s House, a small historic house nestled in the streets of Tenby. Step back in time and explore the house and its traditions, admire the Tudor wall panels and decorations from a bygone era as the delicate scent of oranges and cloves fills the air. Little ones will have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas, write him a letter to make a Christmas wish, and receive a present!*
Event runs 11am-4pm, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th December. Adults free. *£6 per child to meet Father Christmas.
Please check the relevant property webpage for the latest information before visiting.
For further information, dates, event details, and opening times, please check: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/christmas
