Christmas is a special time of year, and a busy one too. Take time out to spend it with loved ones and make it a Christmas to remember.

Many National Trust properties re-open their doors for the festive season and are the perfect backdrop for a magical day out. Gaze at the splendour of richly decorated rooms, enjoy the timeless sounds of carol singers, savour the wonderful scent of roasting chestnuts and meet characters from history with tales of Christmas past.

Here are the National Trust’s top 5 Christmas events you won’t want to miss;

A Lantern-lit Christmas *New for 200
Saturday 28 November, 10.30am – 8pm
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
Feel the buzz as the festive season approaches. Bring along the family to get creative with our lantern making workshops between 2 and 5pm (£5 per child), then join the lantern procession at 5pm. From 6pm the Winter Walk will be alive with twinkling lights for all to enjoy. Throughout the day there will be the chance to pick up presents with the wide selection of gifts on offer in the shop, as well as the chance to get in the mood with mulled wine and mince pies. Normal garden admission applies.

Magic of Christmas
Friday 4 & Saturday 5 December, 5 – 9pm
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
Why not enjoy a magical evening visit to parts of Blickling Hall that have been seasonally decorated. This ever-popular event will include a large craft marquee filled with Christmas gift ideas and entertainment for all the family. Seasonal food will be available and there will be the chance to stretch your vocal chords and join in with some carol singing. There will be timed tickets to enter the Hall so that you really can soak up the festive atmosphere (between 5 and 9pm). Advance ticket adult £9.25, child £5.20. On the door adult £11, child £6. Box office number is 0844 800 4308.

Wimpole’s Dickensian Christmas
Sat 5, Sun 6, Sat 12 & Sun 13 December, 11am – 4pm
Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire
Step back in time 150 years to discover the sights and sounds of a Dickensian Christmas and meet some of the characters of Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Visit the Hall traditionally decorated for Christmas and meet the servants in the basements where children can join in festive craft activities. Listen to the brass band playing traditional Christmas carols in the Stable Block amidst the scent of mulled wine and roast chestnuts, whilst Father Christmas as he hands out presents from his grotto in the Great Barn at Home Farm.
Adult £8.80, child £4.95, National Trust members free.

The Hall at Christmas *New for 2009
Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 December, 5.30 – 8.30pm
Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
See the Hall decorated for Christmas. Meet some of the characters from its past and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies in the restaurant. This event will operate on a limited number of timed tickets for admission to the Hall, so book early to avoid disappointment on 01263 837444. £12 per person.

Victorian Christmas
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 December, 11am – 4pm
Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk
Relive the splendour of a traditional Victorian family Christmas and see the Hall in all its splendour and meet the characters involved. Enjoy festive music, carol singers, bell ringers and don’t forget to indulge yourself with hot chestnuts, mince pies and mulled wine. There will be craft activities for children, not forgetting the chance to meet Father Christmas and his elves. The gift shop will be open for Christmas shopping and the restaurant will be serving a traditional roast dinner between 12 and 2pm. Adult £4, child £2 (including NT members).

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