Christmas with the National Trust
As a nursery, we know how busy life can feel at Christmas. The holidays can seem like they’re approaching too quickly, or maybe not quickly enough. At Muddy Boots, we want you to feel able to enjoy the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate, and as an outdoor focused nursery, we know how important it is to get outside for a little bit of mindfulness during these somewhat hectic times.
That’s why we’re sharing some special events you can enjoy this Christmas, at a variety of National Trust locations, allowing you to experience the festivities whilst getting a much needed breath of fresh air.
Meet Mr & Mrs Claus
A common highlight of a family Christmas is getting to meet the one and only Santa Claus. At a few different locations across Yorkshire this year, the National Trust are hosting events where you and your little ones can meet Mr and Mrs Claus for a special storytime event. Both Beningbrough and East Riddlesden Hall are hosting storytelling sessions.
At Beningbrough, families can enjoy Storytime with Father Christmas on the top floor of the hall, hearing a story unique to Beningbrough, and helping Santa solve a riddle to save Christmas! Tickets are available for a 30 minute session, where children can take part in storytime, meet and chat with Father Christmas, and receive a gift at the end of the experience. The event runs during the weekends at Beningbrough (6-7th, 13-14th, and 20th-21st December), and families are recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid missing out!
Over at East Riddlesden Hall, families can enjoy a storytime session with Mrs Claus! On Saturdays and Sundays throughout November and December, enter the Great Hall to hear a special story read by Mrs Claus. No booking is required as this event is free to attend and runs from 10am to 3pm. East Riddlesden Hall are also hosting the same Christmas Storytelling session for under 5s, offering a quieter alternative on Mondays at the end of November and throughout December. These sessions run from 10am to 12pm on 24th November, 1st, 8th and 15th December. After both sessions, children can also visit the letter writing station in the Discovery Room, to write a special note full of all their Christmas wishes that Mrs Claus will then take home to the North Pole, just in time for the big day!
Family-Friendly Craft Workshops
Looking for more ways to share handmade gifts this Christmas? Spend some time getting creative with your little ones in the craft rooms at Beningbrough. You’ll find plenty of supplies to create something handmade to keep or gift to a loved one, as well as an opportunity to write your letter to Santa. The craft rooms are open 11am to 3pm on the top floor of Beningbrough Hall, and it makes a great addition, or free alternative, to the Father Christmas meet and greet.
Families can also join the Christmas Toymaker’s Workshop at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, where children can choose one of three different traditional wooden toys to make and take home. This special event runs from 20th - 23rd December, with sessions available throughout the day. Each workshop lasts up to 40 minutes, as children are guided through the toymaking progress with easy to follow instructions. Tickets to this event are £10, which includes the session and wooden toy kit; families are recommended to book in advance to secure their slot.
Explore the Festive Decorations
Lots of National Trust Locations are getting ready for Christmas, displaying fantastic decorations fit for the festive season. Treasurers House, Nunnington Hall and Nostell are just a few of the locations across Yorkshire that have their decorations on display for everyone to explore.
Experience Christmas at Treasurers House with decorations inspired by the history of the grounds and its past residents. Many of the decorations are handmade by their team of volunteers, and each room has its own unique design with lots of hidden details to uncover. Make a game out of your visit with little ones by counting what you see - how many stained glass stars can you spot? You can explore the House from 15th November - 21st December, giving you plenty of time to get into the festive spirit. Treasurers House are also hosting a Lighter and Quieter Christmas, where families can explore the decorations across the house in a more relaxed atmosphere. These relaxed hours take place between 2-4pm on Wednesdays throughout November and December.
Explore Nature’s Noel at Nunnington Hall and see how they incorporate nature into their festive displays. The Hall will be full of Christmas trees, decorated by local charities and community groups following the theme of ‘caring for nature’. Perhaps you’ll find some inspiration for creating your own handmade gifts and decorations, with ideas on how to incorporate sustainability into your own Christmas traditions. The Hall is open all day Friday - Sunday from 21st November to 14th December, meaning you can pop in at any point during your visit.
Discover the world of Narnia at Nostell this Christmas, as they decorate the house and grounds inspired by the magical fantasy world. See the tale of Narnia come to life as you wander through the house, as each room takes inspiration from different parts of the story. You can explore the house from 1st December - 5th January, perfect for a last minute festive activity. On weekends, complete your journey to Narnia with a visit to the glass house where children can meet Santa! A combined ticket is required to enjoy the full experience and meet Santa - admission is free for membership holders.
Find Out More
There are lots of National Trust events to see across Yorkshire this Christmas. To find out more about any of the events above, and other activities going on, visit the National Trust Website.
Planning on travelling outside of Yorkshire this Christmas? See where else you can use your National Trust membership for more festive events and activities to make the most of Christmas with your family.
