Nutcracker story to sparkle with over 48,000 lights at Saltram this Christmas

The National Trust’s Saltram will be bringing some festive sparkle to the ground floor of the Georgian mansion near Plymouth. A staggering 48,460 lights will be adorning the huge Christmas trees inside the house, with the grand rooms elaborately decorated to tell the story of the Nutcracker. Booking will be essential with limited tickets to visit the display inside the house and garden until 3 January.

Within the Georgian mansion, volunteers and staff have been busy for weeks working on the festive display in the grand rooms. They’ve been busy creating toy soldiers, snowy scenes and the land of sweets from the story. An army of Nutcrackers line the staircase hall ready to fight the mouse king, whilst a blanket of flowers take over the dining room as if it’s been taken back into the wild.

Fiona Macmillan, Visitor Operations & Experience Manager says, ‘It’s great that we’ve been able to bring back these Christmas celebrations again, last year we really missed decorating the house and so we anticipate that this year will prove to be very popular and busy.  That’s why we have made booking essential until 3 January 2022 into the house and/or garden, so that we can make the experience enjoyable and safe for all.We were unable to create the illuminated garden or open late nights this year, however it’s great knowing that as a charity each visit to Saltram supports our work looking after special places like this for future generations to enjoy.’

Fiona continued, “Saltram will be open during the daytime only this year. Booking is essential and can be made via the website or by calling 0344 249 1895. This also means that if you want to visit just the garden this year you will also need to book. We anticipate the parkland to get equally busy so please think before visiting at weekends and school holidays.”

On a stroll around the garden families can learn all about ‘Nature’s real nutcrackers’ on the free family trail. Members visit for free this Christmas and normal admission applies to non-members, please see the website for more details. Saltram is open seven days a week, 10am- 4.30pm but closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram, call 01752 333500 or pop in to the Welcome Centre to find out more.