Across Shropshire there will be family friendly activities including decoration making and Father Christmas visits, mulled wine for the grown-ups and Christmas markets where visitors can browse for a special gift.
Attingham Park
Attingham Park’s annual Frost Fair returns on Friday 29 November to Sun 1 December from 10am to 4pm. This Christmas shopping experience is the perfect antidote to high streets full of weary shoppers. Soak up the atmosphere and search out unusual, high-quality gifts from over 100 stalls in the historic grounds of the Regency mansion. With a range of unusual gift ideas, it is the ideal place to find inspiration, and there’s plenty of mouth-watering food and drink to indulge in.
Attingham will also be hosting Lord Berwicks’ Christmas on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 11am to 4pm, and then every day from Saturday 14 December to Monday 23 December from 11am to 4pm. Step back in time and enjoy festivities from the mansion’s 200 year history with the house decorated for Christmas through the ages. On selected dates, step through the magical door and join Father Christmas and his elves in the mansion.
Carding Mill Valley
Avoid the hustle and bustle of the High Street with a trip to Carding Mill Valley for late night shopping on Tuesday 3 December from 5pm to 8pm. Choose from a wide range of gifts and stocking fillers and then enjoy the seasonal entertainment and festivities in the tea-room.
There’s a variety of Christmas craft workshops at Carding Mill Valley, with a Christmas wreath making workshop on Saturday 7 December, 11am to 4pm, £5 per wreath; Christmas decoration making on Sunday 8, 15 and 22 December, 11am to 4pm, 50p per decoration; and a Christmas lantern making workshop on Saturday 21 December, 11am to 4pm, £4 per lantern.
Those wanting to try out something a bit different, can learn how to sing in harmony with ‘Rapsquillion’ on Saturday 14 December, 2pm to 3.30pm. The session is open to all abilities with no prior experience needed, £5 per person.
Sunnycroft
Sunnycroft, in Wellington, is holding a Christmas wreath making workshop on Friday 6 December and Saturday 7 December, 11am to 1pm. Create a traditional festive wreath from scratch using natural materials from Sunnycroft’s garden.The workshop costs £30 and includes refreshments. Booking is essential by calling: 0844 2491895.
Step back in time and enjoy Sunnycroft’s Edwardian Christmas from Saturday 14 December to Sunday 22 December, from 10.30am to 3pm. Hear local carol singers in the Billiard Room, see presents under the Christmas tree and experience the sights and smells of a traditional Christmas.
The Trust will also be bringing Traditions Trees via the OakMobile to Shrewsbury. The free mini mobile theatre will be visiting Shrewsbury’s town square on Saturday 23 November, sharing magical Christmas tales with families and encouraging visitors to celebrate their favourite things about this time of year.
Beccy Speight, Regional Director for the National Trust in the Midlands, said:
“Our places in Shropshire are such a beautiful backdrop for Christmas celebrations. I always think of it as the best bits of home all rolled into one. The houses are beautifully decorated, but with a real personal touch and I love wrapping up for a winter walk in one of our parkland or countryside areas – ideally followed by a bowl of soup or glass of mulled wine to warm up with afterwards!
“We all have our favourite things to do at this time of year, and every family’s traditions are slightly different. We just love it when people make one of our places a part of their Christmas.”
For details on all of these events and many more across the region, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/midlandschristmas