Six magical National Trust Christmas days out in North Wales

If you’re looking for Christmas days out with family and friends, National Trust Cymru have listed six of their must-visit Christmas offers in north Wales guaranteed to put you in the festive spirit.

Visitors can expect to be wowed by over-the-top Christmas decorations, with Powis Castle transporting you to different parts of the world, there will be festive monkeys and dragons in flight as you wander through Chirk Castle and an enormous Christmas tree at Penrhyn Castle.

New to see this year is an immersive experience at Chirk Castle’s newly acquired East Wing and a first of its kind silent disco at Plas Newydd following in the footsteps of past residents where many parties were held. Staff and volunteers are busy decorating, with Erddig wrapping a staggering 2,268 presents for the Christmas display at Erddig to celebrate 50 years since the property came into the care of National Trust Cymru.

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Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Fire young imaginations as this medieval fortress is filled with enchanting decorations and ornate Christmas trees that are hung with unique adornments. This year’s enchanted castle theme is inspired by a fantastical painting in the collection; ‘Orpheus Charming The Animals’, dating to the early 1600s. Look out for a range of animals including birds in flight, dragons, and monkeys causing havoc as you wander through the castle. Finish your visit with an immersive experience in the East Wing, which will be especially open for the holiday season and where you can see the painting out on display.

Outside, wrap up warm, grab a festive hot drink or treat from our tearoom 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 between 2 –17 December.

You can also enjoy supper with Santa on 15 December for an additional charge. Listen as he reads a story and enjoy a festive feast with all the trimmings. Children will receive a small gift (booking is essential). Open daily from 2 December to 7 January. Property closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle

Erddig, Wrexham

Erddig are pulling out all the stops this Christmas to celebrate the gift of giving and 50 years since National Trust Cymru began caring for this special place. Much of the house will be dressed for the occasion with some of the silver in the collection on display in the dining room and a staggering 2,268 wrapped presents in the Tribes Room. Staff and volunteers have been busy wrapping up the presents, with each one representing 10 items in the collection. Keep the children entertained and follow the trail through the house counting how many gold objects you can find.

On selected days there will be marshmallow toasting, craft activities including making a tree decoration, storytelling, live music from a string trio band and Dynamic Signing Choir and Breakfast (or supper) with Santa will also be returning (additional charges apply). A story nook will create a cosy indoor reading space for families in the book shop and the education room will be open every day for paper bauble decorating. Don’t forget to leave a donation for the Wrexham foodbank at the Reverse Grotto where Father Christmas will be present on weekends to help say thank you.

Open daily from 2 December to 7 January. Property closed 24 and 25 December; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool

For a truly magical Christmas experience, it doesn’t get much better than a visit to a 13th century medieval castle. This Christmas, each State Room will take inspiration from the treasures that lie within. Visitors will be transported to different parts of the world as they explore beautifully decorated spaces, over-the-top Christmas trees, and festive fireplaces. Enjoy an Italian Christmas experience with a Venetian twist in the Dining Room, an Elizabethan theme in the Long Gallery and glistening Chinese decorations in the Blue Drawing Room.

Seeing the castle lit up after dusk is truly magical. As you step into the courtyard, enjoy a lighting display which illuminates the grand walls of the 13th century castle from 14 to 23 December.

Throughout December, look out for 'gardeners notes' which will be dotted around the garden to discover top tips for gardening at this time of year. Finish your day off with a festive meal in the tea-room and some last-minute Christmas shopping.

Open daily from 2 to 31 December. From 14 to 23 December, the Castle, Tea-Room and Shop will also be open late until 7pm. Closed 25 and 26 December; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor

Celebrate all the traditions that bring us together over the festive period as you explore this dramatic castle bursting with ornate decorations. The ground-floor will be dressed with glistening Christmas trees including a giant tree on the Grand Staircase, perfect to get your festive family photo. In the Library you can sit back and relax with a book, re-visit some favourite board games in the Games Room or head to the Victorian Kitchens to share your Christmas recipes as the smell of festive treats fills the air.

Grab a hot chocolate from the tea-room and enjoy a winter walk around the garden and grounds and take a selfie under the giant wreath.

Open every weekend from 25 November to 17 December, on weekdays from 18 December to 22 December, and from 27 to 31 December. Closed 23, 24, 25 and 26 December; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penrhyn-castle-and-garden

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

Put on your dancing shoes as Plas Newydd invites you to a silent disco this Christmas. The Music Room will be decorated to create a party atmosphere, complete with disco lights and party games following in the footsteps of past residents where many parties were held (booking essential).

After an afternoon of dancing, wrap up warm and explore the beautiful grounds with breath-taking views of the Menai Strait. Enjoy a winter walk through the garden before warming up with a festive treat in the café who are cooking up a feast with a set three course meal with the option of adding a fun spritzy drink to celebrate the season in style (booking essential).

Open every weekend from 2 to 31 December, Garden, Shop and Café will also be open on weekdays from 20 to 29 December. Closed 25 and 26 December; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-newydd-house-and-garden

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.

If you fancy a break from the cooking in the run up to the big day why not treat yourself to a two course Christmas lunch in the Pa vilion tea-room? From Thursday to Sunday, 7 to 23 December between 12pm and 2.30pm (booking in advance essential – gluten free and vegan option available). Open daily. Closed 24, 25 and 26 December; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden

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