Review: A National Trust Christmas

Very recently we spent a lovely day visiting the National Trust house Uppark. It holds a special place in my heart as I can remember visiting when I was my children’s age before the fire in the 80’s. The restoration by the way is amazing and it’s a gorgeous house! The boys adore exploring the tunnels which link the house to the restaurant and café and to the stables.

We went along to review their Christmas opening and of course to see Father Christmas. I have to say the Father Christmas at Uppark is the one that we return to year after year. Based in the stables there is a lovely waiting room with toys and books to read to keep the kids amused. You then visit Father Christmas who of course already knows the boys names. He has a great way with him and draws out even my shy younger boy with questions and chat. We have never felt rushed through and this year we were even given fabulous glasses to view the lights through – it made them all in the shape of reindeer!

Of course we had to visit Father Christmas first but after that it was back through the tunnels to the newly refurbished café for tea & cakes. We love the new refurbishment. Its much more open and has a much nicer open feel. I also love their gluten free range too!

Boys being boys we had just about finished the last mouthful when we had to rush off to explore the house. The main part of it to explore were the servants quarters downstairs which had been dressed up for the festivities. The housekeeper’s room had been opened up too and the boys had a fabulous time exploring it all and following the reindeer count through the house. There is a delightful little room which has in it a huge grown up dolls house and there were jigsaw puzzles to play with and a book to write some stories in. I think we must have spent well over half an hour in this room alone. There’s also some lovely stories here about the ladies of the house. Including the young dairy maid who married the head of the house! 

We had an amazing visit here and though the house wasn’t fully open we spent about four hours here and it was sooooo much fun!

The National Trust run some fabulous events over the Christmas holiday and there doesn’t seem to be enough days in the weeks to visit them all! Just take a look below and do go out and visit! 

Petworth House hosts: Father Christmas and friends, 19 to 21 December, times slots between 10.30am and 3pm, child £8 inc. small gift, adult £4 inc. drink and mince pie. Booking on 0844 249 1895

Meet Father Christmas and his animal friends in Petworth’s historic Stables, where he’ll be waiting to hear if you’ve been naughty or nice! Parents can relax with a warming hot drink and mince pie.

 Petworth House invites you to A Winter’s Tail, 28 November to 3 January, child £3

All the animals in the Pleasure Ground have woken up with the wrong tail and look very odd indeed.  Can you return the right tail to the rightful owner? Complete the puzzle trail and receive a small prize.

Nymans, West Sussex, tel: 01444 405250

A Topsy-Turvy Christmas, 1 December to 3 January

Visit Father Christmas, 4 – 6 & 11 – 13 December, 10.30am – 3.30pm, child £5, includes gift, book on 01444 405256

Nymans invites you to a unique Christmas experience, as it draws back the curtain on the world of musical theatre.

Celebrating family links with famous Victorian theatrical impressarios Gilbert and Sullivan, Nymans introduces you to beautiful creations in the gardens, inspired by musicals such as the Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. 

An exhibition in the house reveals Gilbert and Sullivan’s passion for all things ‘topsy-turvy’, whilst outside (on selected dates, see above), a festive activity trail winds through the gardens to Father Christmas’s ‘topsy-turvy’ grotto, where nothing is quite as it seems! Gifts for all visitors.

Uppark House and Garden, West Sussex, tel: 01730 825415

A Servants’ Christmas, 5 December to 6 January, 11am – 3pm

Meet Father Christmas, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 December, 11am – 3pm, £5.50 per child including gift, no booking required

It's time to get festive at this magical house and garden in West Sussex where you’ll find out how the Victorian servants are decorating their rooms and preparing for the family’s Christmas ‘upstairs’.You can place your own wishes for Christmas around the tree.

 Outside, the stables have been transformed into a wooded wonderland, where Father Christmas will be waiting to meet good boys and girls, and give them a little festive gift. 

From 7 December to 6 January, Uppark is also inviting you to indulge in a sumptuous Christmas afternoon tea, with festive music and dainty treats such as cranberry muffins, homemade lemon posset with a spicy shortbread biscuit, and of course a cracker.  £16.95 per person, book on 01730 825 415

Drovers Estate, West Sussex 01730 816638

Winter Solstice pub walk, 20 December, 10.30am – 3pm, £3, book on 01730 816638 

Dispel the mid-winter blues with a scenic guided walk across the Drovers Estate, and find out how the wildlife here survives the harsh winter climate. After your walk, you can warm up with a pub meal at the cosy Partridge Inn, Singleton. Meet at Singleton cricket pavilion, to the south of the village, off the A286

Drovers is a hidden estate nestling in the undulating hills and valleys of the South Downs. Here you can step back to a timeless rural life, set amidst shady woodland and rolling ancient pastures, punctuated by traditional flint cottages and barns.