Get that festive feeling with the National Trust in Devon this Christmas
Across Devon, National Trust places are full of warmth, magic and sparkle as the festive season approaches. Wrap up and embrace the chilly days with a family walk around a country estate, or get into the Christmas spirit with carols, open fires and mince pies. There’s lots on offer this season, from Father Christmas stopping by to festive family trails and Christmas markets to Beautifully decorated historic houses.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this season, please check property website for opening days and times, especially over the Christmas period:
Arlington
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum
Christmas at Arlington Court
Every Sat, Sun & Mon from 18 Nov, daily between 18 – 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 10am – 4pm
Get into the festive spirit this winter and see the house decorated in all the splendour of a Victorian Christmas, from the sumptuous dining room and the Ante Room to the White Drawing Room, where the family traditionally opened their presents, to the Staircase Hall with a 16ft real Christmas tree and decorated balustrades. Head out on a wintery adventure and take part in our free festive family fun activity trail. Snap a photo in our festive sleigh or with the wooden reindeer. Discover our 200 trees for 200 years displays and activities around the grounds.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
200 Christmas trees family trail at Arlington Court
Every Sat, Sun & Mon from 18 Nov, daily between 18 – 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 10am – 4pm
2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the construction of the house at Arlington Court. To celebrate there will be 200 Christmas trees, in various styles, sizes, shapes and materials across the gardens, grounds and in the house for you to discover.
Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception to discover 10 of our favourite trees from our ‘200 trees for 200 years project’. Who knows what you might find, will it be a Christmas dinner tree? 200 tiny paper trees? Or even a colourful community tree? Explore to find out.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
200 trees for 200 years of Arlington Court – a community Christmas project
Every Sat, Sun & Mon from 18 Nov, daily between 18 – 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 10am – 4pm
2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the construction of the house at Arlington Court, to celebrate there will be 200 trees, in various styles, sizes, shapes and materials across the gardens, grounds and in the house.
As part of 200 trees for 200 years we have worked with local community groups, schools and volunteers to create a display of handmade wooden Christmas trees. Head out into the pleasure grounds to find them all, each is entirely unique.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Christmas Carol walk at Arlington Court
Daily from 18 Nov – 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Wrap up warm and journey around the lake walk to find the giant ’12 days of Christmas’ baubles. Can you remember how the lyrics go? Stop along the way to sing some other festive favourites and finish off this family adventure with a tasty treat from the tea-room.
Please note: The wider estate is always free to explore. Park in the main carpark and head down the road to the Heron Gate entrance (large white gates with herons on top). From here you can follow the 1.5-mile circular path around the lake walk or explore the woodlands.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
Barnstaple Ladies Choir Christmas carol performance
Sun 19 Nov. 3.15 - 4pm
Kick of the festive season with this joyous performance in the staircase hall, decorated in full Victorian Christmas splendour.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Winter warmer well-being walks
Tue 21 Nov & Sat 9 Dec. 10.30am - 12pm
A series of gentle, sociable walks led by our Walking Volunteers on the beautiful estate.
These walks are for anyone who wants to connect with others and the outdoors, while in a safe and supported environment.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
Carriage Interior tour
Mon 27 Nov. 1 – 1.45pm
Have you ever wanted to see inside our carriages? Normally not open to the public, this 45min tour gives you the chance to see inside some of the fascinating carriages here at Arlington.
This tour will be led by two of our wonderful collection assistants who will talk you through the carriages on display.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
A Victorian Christmas evening at Arlington Court
Thu 7 & Thu 14 Dec. 2 – 7pm (last entry to house 6:30pm)
Come and explore Arlington House during our Christmas open evenings. Decorated in all the splendour of a Victorian Christmas, step back in time while exploring the luxurious rooms after dark.
The activity room will be open for family crafting activities and the tea-room will be providing festive treats and snacks.
Price: £8 adults / £4 children (free for NT members). Booking not required.
Father Christmas at Arlington Court
Sat 16 & Sun 17 Dec. Various times, please check the website.
Come to our festive grotto in the stables harness room and meet our traditional green Father Christmas who is visiting Arlington Court for one weekend.
All good children will receive a present. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Accompanying adults do not need to book tickets but normal admission still applies on arrival.
Please note that when you book a 30 minute time slot, Father Christmas will see you within that 30 minute slot, however there could be a 5-25 minute wait. Please check in with Elf on your arrival.
Price: Child £6. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Buckland Abbey
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey
Volunteer Ranger Recruitment Day
Sat 18 Nov. 9.45am - 12pm
Join Ranger Steve for an informal walk and talk to get insight into our exciting future outdoor projects.
We're looking for people who are interested in coming in for one of projects that will range from a day to a week or so. We're also looking for people who would be interested in coming in once a month for regular ranger work - this is a chance to get involved in the everyday and the big conservation that is so important at Buckland Abbey.
We welcome rangers of all ages (18+) who are confident to carry out outdoor tasks in varied weather conditions.
Refreshments and introduction will start at 9:45am followed by a walk & talk with Ranger Steve from 10:30pm - 12pm. Please wear suitable clothes and shoes as this walk will take place regardless of weather.
If you are interested in attending please email us bucklandabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk to book your place and introduce yourself, or you can turn up on the day.
Price: Free. Booking advised call 01822 853607 or email bucklandabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk
Hedge laying Course at Buckland Abbey
Thu 30 Nov to Fri 1 Dec. 9am – 4pm
This is a unique opportunity to learn the ancient art of hedge laying at Buckland Abbey. In partnership with the Tamar Valley AONB's Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, led by Jeremy Weiss (Proper Edges), an experienced hedge laying instructor. Places are limited to those who live within the Tamar Valley AONB. The course is suitable for beginners and improvers. The practical element of the course will cover the proper care of hand tools, tool sharpening, safety considerations, cutting and laying the hedge, securing the hedge using natural crooks and species ID. In addition we will also discuss alternatives to hedge laying, restoring badly neglected hedges, the cultural, historical and environmental important of hedges, the hedge as a resource and the use of brash to make biochar.
You are welcome to bring your own tools if you have them already, but tools will be provided on the day so no need to buy any.
Price: Free. Booking essential call 01822 853607 or email bucklandabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk
Great Tudor Frost Fair
Daily 2 – 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 10am – 5pm
You are invited to step back in time to the Tudor era and immerse yourself in our Tudor Frost Fair! Find out about the history of these fairs, and immerse yourself in the frosty trees and ice décor used to recreate this magical time. The barn will be filled with trees and twinkling lights to create a beautiful and frosty display.
Choirs will perform in the Great Barn throughout December, please check back closer to the time for exact dates and choirs.
The Abbey will also be dressed for a very frosty Christmas for all to see.
Please note that this is a historical and Christmas tree display, all stalls will be displays and will not have goods for sale.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Christmas Storytelling
Sat 9, Sun 10, Tue 19 & Thu 21 Dec. 12 – 3pm
Join us at Buckland Abbey for some Christmas storytelling.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Children’s Christmas block printing workshop
Sun 10 Dec. 10 – 11.30am and 1 – 2.30pm
Join local artists Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops to hand print your own Christmas gift wrap with festive lino blocks. There will be a wide selection of designs to choose from, all hand carved by Grace. You will be using water-based inks to create beautifully decorative wrapping paper. Each participant will get to take away their sheet of gift wrap ready for Christmas. All materials included. Please bring an apron or wear old clothes as the inks can get messy.
Suitable for ages 5 - 16. All Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the session.
Price: Child £8 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.
Castle Drogo
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/castle-drogo
An audience with Father Christmas
Weekends from 2 – 17 Dec, & daily 18 – 21 Dec. Various times, please check the website.
Father Christmas is making room in his busy schedule to come and visit Castle Drogo. Why not plan a festive visit to see him, settle down for a story by the fireside and have a magical day out.
Price: £8 per child (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
A quiet audience with Father Christmas
Sat 9, Sat 16 & Wed 20 Dec. 10.15 – 10.45am
Father Christmas is making room in his busy schedule to come and visit Castle Drogo. Why not plan a festive visit to see him, settle down for a story by the fireside and have a magical day out. This session starts before the Castle opens, perfect if your little one is not so keen on crowds.
Price: £8 per child (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Coleton Fishacre
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/coleton-fishacre
Christmas at Coleton Fishacre
Every Sat and Sun from 25 Nov. Daily between 20 – 31 Dec (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 11am – 4pm
Inspired by the coastline in winter, gather the family and wrap up warm to explore the ground floor of the house. With the sparkle of lights and seasonal selfie stations, there's moments of magic everywhere you look.
For rosy cheeks and cheerful soles, winter walks around the coastal garden provide show stopping sea views. Café Coleton will be serving a range of tempting treats and decadent hot drinks, and the shop will be stocked full of Christmas gifts, decorations and more. The garden at Coleton Fishacre, shop and café will be open on New Years Day (11am – 4pm).
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Finch Foundry
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/finch-foundry
St Clement’s Day
Sat 25 Nov. 11am – 4pm
Join local blacksmiths to celebrate St Clement's Day at Finch Foundry. Local blacksmiths gather together to celebrate their patron saint, St Clement. Join us to appreciate this traditional craft in action as these skilled smiths compete and create. Drop in any time between 11am and 4pm.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Greenway
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/greenway
Discover your inner writer
Weekends 4 - 19 November. 11am – 3pm
Be inspired this autumn at the holiday home of Agatha Christie. Pick up a free red jotter to capture ideas, characters or plot lines. Explore nature themed writing prompts around the garden or try your hand at the outdoor nature poetry board.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking for the trail not required. If visiting Greenway by car, you will need to book a parking space in advance through the website.
Christmas at Greenway
Every Sat and Sun from 25 Nov. Daily between 27 – 31 Dec. 11am – 4pm
Explore the winter garden and follow the trail of 'The twelve wreaths of Christmas'. Each wreath has been inspired by a different well loved Christmas movie. Can you guess which one? On your winter wander, why not pose for a family Christmas photo at one of the selfie stations?
Inside, the house is full of seasonal cheer with traditional decorations, sumptuous garlands, handcrafted wreaths and festive floral displays. Alongside the magical sparkle of fairy lights and trimmed trees will be fun wreath crafts in the house kitchen to take part in.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required. If visiting Greenway by car, you will need to book a parking space in advance through the website.
Heddon Valley
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/heddon-valley
Tree planting at West Challacombe (Combe Martin)
Sat 18 Nov. 11am – 3pm
Please come and help us plant trees at West Challacombe, Combe Martin from 11-3pm. The planting will help establish a much more diverse nature rich landscape over time. You will be planting trees such as Oak, Sycamore, Alder, Crab Apple and Hawthorn. We will provide teas, coffees and biscuits to fuel you and there will be toilets on site. You are free to stay as long as you want and plant 1 or a hundred trees it’s up to you! Every tree makes such a difference, we couldn't do it without you. Parking will be in the main pay and display car park seafront in Combe Martin.
Price: Free (parking charges apply). Booking not required.
Heddon Valley Christmas trail
Daily from Sat 16 Dec to Sun 7 Jan (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 9am – 4pm
Enjoy the great outdoors this Christmas and take part in our Christmas trail. The route goes to the beach and back and is suitable for an all terrain pushchair.
Unfortunately wheelchairs are not suitable for this route, however Trampers are available to hire by calling 01598 763402.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
Killerton
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/killerton
Killerton House at Christmas
Daily 1 Dec to 2 Jan (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 11am – 4pm (11am – 2pm on Christmas eve)
Immerse yourself in a traditional Christmas this year at Killerton. Get into the festive spirit while wandering through Killerton house. The ground floor will be traditionally dressed with garlands, trees, decorative fireplaces and fairy lights to give that feel-good glow of Christmas.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Children’s Christmas play trail
Daily 1 Dec to 2 Jan (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 10am – 4pm (10am – 2pm on Christmas eve)
Bring the whole family to enjoy our outdoors Christmas play trail. Take a walk around the garden, park and chapel grounds and have fun playing games along the way. There will be lots to keep our younger visitors and those young at heart entertained. The trail will follow the hard standing paths through the garden and chapel grounds. This means dogs can only access part of the trail that is situated within the parkland. Assistance dogs are permitted everywhere.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Knightshayes
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/knightshayes
Christmas at Knightshayes
Daily Sat 2 Dec – Mon 1 Jan (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day). 11am – 4pm
Discover Victorian Christmas traditions as you explore the ground floor of the house this festive season. Each room will celebrate a different Christmas tradition from gift giving to ghost stories - which one will be your favourite? During Winter Lights, the House will remain open until 7pm (last entry 6:30pm)
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Winter lights at Knightshayes
Every Fri & Sat in Dec to 23 Dec (excluding Fri 1 Dec). 4 – 7pm
Discover the gardens lit up on selected dates in December. Explore some of the most special places in the formal & woodland garden via an illuminated route. The ground floor of the house will remain open during Winter Lights, so why not make your evening more magical with a visit to see a traditional Victorian Christmas.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Father Christmas a Knightshayes (weekends)
Weekends 2 – 17 Dec. Various times throughout the day, please check the website
Father Christmas returns to Knightshayes this December. Our traditional green suited Father Christmas will be telling stories and giving gifts to all good children. After your visit, explore the house decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas. Your child's ticket includes meeting Father Christmas, admission to the House & Gardens, a present, a craft activity and an outdoor trail.
Price: £12.50 per child. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Father Christmas a Knightshayes (Christmas week)
Daily 18 - 23 Dec. Various times throughout the day, please check the website
Father Christmas returns to Knightshayes this December. Our traditional green suited Father Christmas will be telling stories and giving gifts to all good children. After your visit, explore the house decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas. Your child's ticket includes meeting Father Christmas, admission to the House & Gardens, a present, a craft activity and an outdoor trail.
Price: £12.50 per child. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via the website.
Saltram
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/saltram
Saltram’s Christmas in Bloom
Daily Fri 24 Nov to Tue 2 Jan (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day), 11am – 5pm
This Christmas explore in wonder as Saltram brings the beauty, magic, and splendour of an 18th century pleasure garden to life within the walls of its luxurious house interiors. Bringing the outside in, each room will transport you into a beautiful festive landscape, with wow moments around every corner and some woodland friends to lead you on your Christmas adventure.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 1895 or via website.
Christmas family trail
Daily Fri 24 Nov to Tue 2 Jan (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day), 11am – 5pm
Pick up a Christmas family trail from the Welcome Centre and go on a festive adventure. The beloved mice are back again, for another Christmas at Saltram. This year, meeting new woodland friends, showing them all the fun that a Georgian pleasure garden has to offer.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Songs and Stories with Father Christmas
Weekends from 2 – 17 Dec, daily between 20 – 22 Dec. Various times, please check the website
We are delighted that Father Christmas has been able to come back to entertain one and all with his magical stories and festive songs. He’s not your average Father Christmas and this isn’t you’re average Father Christmas experience. These story-time sessions are really entertaining for children and adults alike and help everyone feel the magic of this time of year. Children of all ages are very welcome. Under 1’s FREE. This is a 45 minute sat down story time session. Best enjoyed by children over 3. At the end of the Storytime there is an opportunity to say hi to the big man and grab a selfie if you want one. Every child gets a very special keepsake to take home.
Price: Adults £5 / Children £8 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 4895 or via website.
Relaxed, BSL signed: Songs and Stories with Father Christmas
16, 21 & 22 Dec. 1.30 – 2.15pm
We are delighted that Father Christmas has bought his amazing friend Jason Trotter with him this year to help translate with British Sign Language.
These relaxed sessions are slightly smaller and the songs and stories will be at a slower pace and not too noisy, and of course with British Sign Language interpretation! These story-time sessions are really entertaining for children and adults alike and help everyone feel the magic of this time of year. Children of all ages are very welcome. Under 1’s FREE. This is a 45 minute sat down story time session. Best enjoyed by children over 3. At the end of the Storytime there is an opportunity to say hi to the big man and grab a selfie if you want one. Every child gets a very special keepsake to take home.
Priority for these sessions are for families who require BSL sign language and those families who need a slower/quieter paced session. Please book onto another session if this does not apply to you.
Price: Adults £5 / Children £8 (normal admission applies). Booking essential 0344 249 4895 or via website.
Watersmeet
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/watersmeet
Tree planting at Kipscombe
Sat 2 Dec. 11am – 3pm
Please come and help us plant trees at Kipscombe from 11-3pm. The planting will help establish a much more diverse nature rich landscape over time. You will be planting trees such as Oak, Sycamore, Alder, Crab Apple and Hawthorn. We will provide teas, coffees and biscuits to fuel you and there will be toilets on site. You are free to stay as long as you want and plant one or a hundred trees it’s up to you! Every tree makes such a difference, we couldn't do it without you.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
