Christmas Through the Ages at Dyrham Park

Visitors can go on a journey back in time this festive season at Dyrham Park with ‘Christmas Through the Ages.' 

From Tudor customs to Victorian traditions to 1940s wartime celebrations right up to 1990s and the new millennium, rooms in the house will take you on a festive audiovisual journey through time.  

Image: Christmas Through the Ages at Dyrham Park

Objects, decorations and displays from five different eras will bring to life yuletide celebrations from bygone periods. You might spot a Ty Beanie Baby or an early Nokia phone in one room and then find some traditional parlour games in the next. Children can keep an eye out for little toy deer, dressed in handmade outfits of the era, hiding in each room. 

Image: Christmas Through the Ages at Dyrham Park

A giant wreath in the garden will provide the perfect spot for a festive selfie. Watch out for illuminated reindeer, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, plus outsized red bows bringing seasonal cheer to posts and gates across the 270-acre site.

Go on an adventure through time on a family trail through the parkland with wooden deer dotted around the site for little ones to track down. Each will have a fun historic fact and activity all designed to help save Christmas for 2025. A mini trail around the garden for adults will highlight some winter treasures.

Local choirs and music groups will be singing in the village church of St Peter, which adjoins the National Trust site, each weekend from 22 November to 21 December, with slots at 1pm and again at 1.50pm. 

Wreath-making workshops are running in early December which are available to book through the website. 

Image: Christmas Through the Ages at Dyrham Park

Refreshments will be available to buy from the café at Old Lodge in the parkland as well as the main tea-room. On busy days, a takeaway kiosk will also be open. There will be seasonal twists to the menu including Christmas pudding scones, hot turkey, stuffing and gravy baps and mince pies.   

The National Trust shop is well-stocked with cards, food and gift ideas away from the busy high streets. Festive tastings are planned on selected dates as well.   

Visitor Operations and Experience Manager Elizabeth Marshall said: ‘It’s a magical time to visit Dyrham Park with the parkland and garden full of winter beauty and this year we’re particularly excited about the 90s/new millennium room. Brace yourselves to for a journey back in time to a very special celebration of Christmases past in the house. The children’s trail will keep the whole family guessing, the wreaths and Christmas trees provide some amazing photo opportunities, and the tea-room and shop are ideal for a chance to refuel and stock up.’   

The fun doesn’t stop after Christmas, with a wassail planned for Saturday 3 January, and a mummers’ play taking place on Sunday 4 January.

Dyrham Park’s Christmas offer will run from Friday 21 November until Sunday 4 January. The trail is free of charge. Normal admission charges apply with free entry for National Trust members.   

Dyrham Park is open daily from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm. The house is open from 11.30am with last entry at 3pm. The whole site is closed on 24 and 25 December.