Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-your-glitz-on"><br>GET YOUR GLITZ ON</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/National-Trust-Sebastian-Conwy-Octagon-room.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139409" /><figcaption>©&nbsp;National Trust Images/Sebastian Conwy</figcaption></figure>



<p>Pull off the wrapping paper and unravel the bows, because <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Basildon Park</a>, nr Pangbourne, is officially open for Christmas. Expect a full glitz and glamour show thanks to this year’s magical theme – A Winter Ball. It’s all your Cinderella dreams come true, with the entrance hall and dining room lavishly bedecked with peacock feathers, hanging birdcages and flowers with multiple trees festooned with lights, baubles and jewels. Activities on offer include making a masquerade mask, wreath making, and for kids, an activity trail thought trees sparkling with lights and hanging clocks – can they finish before the stroke of midnight? As always at Basildon, shopping is a highlight with a massive choice of unique little gifts that will not only save you from slogging up the high street, but also support the NT and the works it does to preserve national gems like Basildon. On until 6 Jan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wintery-walks">WINTERY WALKS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-32394" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER-501x500.jpg 501w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER-768x767.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER-526x525.jpg 526w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/CLIVEDEN-SOUTH-PARTERRE-WINTER-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Grand, glam and ready to party, <strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden/christmas-at-cliveden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cliveden</a></strong> near Maidenhead, is all about festive fresh air and family traditions. There’s 365 acres of landscaped garden and woodland to blow off steam and let the kids run wild – pitstop at the Story Book Play Den, the Maze or in the woodland play trail. A fave walk for Muddy is the short but scenic <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden/cliveden-gold-walking-trail">Gold Walk</a> – a leg-stretching 3.1 miles, if you do the whole trail, but you get to see Cliveden&#8217;s crown jewels. Also on selected dates (Mon, Tue and Thu, 11am and 12.30pm,  until 8 Dec).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosy-up">COSY UP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/GC-front-door-National-Trust-Nadia-Mackenzie-825x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139410" /><figcaption>©&nbsp;National Trust Images/Nadia Mackenzie</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/greys-court/events/f9674d7a-79c5-4343-b25a-095fd1e6d458" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greys Court</a></strong>, nr Henley-on-Thames, has been a family home until very recently and so it’s fitting that an extended family has come together to decorate it this year, from Kidmore End School, the local Women’s Institute and the charity, Sport in Mind. The walled gardens are a perennial favourite with visitors for the hide and reveal nature of the walls and ancient sprawling wisteria to the ever-changing floral displays. Just imagine the scene with fairy lights, Christmas wreaths and giant, gift-wrapped presents. There’s also a Woodland Animals Trail for kids outside and one to remember for a romantic date night – candlelit private tours of the manor across three dates in Dec – 1, 8 &amp; 15. Down at the stableyard there will be Christmas trees for the first time plus a chance for nostalgia, having a family get together over mulled wine and mince pies (also look out for opportunity to taste Lady Brunner’s gingerbread in the kitchen). 26 Nov – 5 Jan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GLAM ADVENTURES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-at-Christmas-room-shot-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer-min-1.jpg" alt="Christmas tree and gifts at The Vyne National Trust Basingstoke Hampshire" class="wp-image-28897" /></figure>



<p>An essential overseas jaunt for well-to-do Georgians, before inheriting <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/b5718f34-f58b-41d7-ad39-5da40f7c8bf9/pages/details" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Vyne</strong></a>, near Basilgstoke, John Chute went on a Grand Tour of the continent, exploring France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium. This year, the festive fun and decor at the grand National Trust mansion is inspired by the places he visited. Look out for sumptuous Venetian masks, mini ‘Colosseums’ and intricate Moravian star decorations, as well as some of the souvenirs Chute picked up on his travels, such a casket encrusted with semi-precious stones. And of course, rooms will be well and truly be decked out in traditional Christmas finery. Pick up a special ‘Passport’ trail and embark on your own Grand Tour of the house and gardens, with activities that explore the festive traditions in other countries. From 26 Nov to 3 Jan (closed 24-25 Dec). Pre-booking is essential if arriving by car.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-show-stopper">THE SHOW STOPPER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/Waddesdon-lit-up-NTI.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-139412" /></figure>



<p>One worth going hopping over the border for. <strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/waddesdon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waddesdon</a></strong> nr Aylesbury, is renowned for its spectacular Christmas offering – and it&#8217;s bigger, sparklier and generally more fantastic this year. Firstly, it&#8217;s going big inside as it’s the first Christmas displays in the house since 2019. Secondly, not to be out-done, there’s a new route through the East Wing with light installations, sparkling trees and jaw-dropping decs. Meanwhile outside its longest ever winter light trail winds around the grounds with interactive illuminations (on until 22 Jan) plus there’s the Christmas Fair for gift and decoration shopping and a Food Village for your hit of steaming hot street food like artisan kebabs and glazed doughnuts (until 18 Dec). Book ahead. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Hinton-Ampner-The-Wind-in-the-Willow-Christmas-National-Trust-Images-Zoe-Cotton-min-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hinton Ampner, Wind in the Willows, national Trust Christmas Hampshire things to do with the kids" class="wp-image-29027" /><figcaption>Pic: National Trust Images, Zoe Cotton</figcaption></figure>



<p>Berkshire IS <em>Wind In The Willows</em> – Kenneth Grahame lived in Pangbourne, was inspired by its riverbanks and woodland. If you&#8217;re a fan, hop over Hampshire border to <strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/408e4d09-f9a5-41ed-a99e-8a6a5310b301/pages/details" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hinton Ampner</a></strong> this Christmas. Follow Mole, Rat and Badger as they leave the safety of the woods to rescue Toad from his wild adventures. Rooms will be specially decked out to tell the story, from Toad’s motor car exploits to the friends’ stand against the mischievous weasels. Beep, beep! Outside, you can visit the characters’ homes too, including Mole’s sweet burrow among the trees and the grandeur of Toad Hall in the walled garden. Time it right and find <em>Wind in the Willows </em>storytelling in Hinton’s second-hand bookshop on select days. Open from Sat 26 Nov – Mon 2 Jan (closed 25-26 Dec). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>WALKING IN THE AIR</em></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/11/Walking-with-The-Snowman-Christmas-at-Winkworth-%C2%A9-Snowman-Ent-2022-1000x563.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-43252" /><figcaption><em>© Snowman Ent</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s about an hour&#8217;s drive from Berkshire, but well worth it for the fresh air and festive magic. <em>The Snowman</em>™ is coming to <strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkworth-arboretum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winkworth Arboretum</a></strong> – bringing to life Raymond Briggs&#8217; heart-warming picture book on a festive wintery woodland trail featuring 12 beautifully decorated snowmen sculptures. As well as the trail you can soak up the seasonal feels, with a twinkling carousel ride, warming mugs of hot chocolate and traditional winter fair games. From 26 Nov-Mon 2 Jan open daily from 10am-4pm, and booking ahead is recommended.</p>


Christmas crackers! 7 festive highlights at the National Trust

You may also like