It certainly contrasts with the modern simplicity on his Christmas card this year – a family portrait in the lounge of their London home.

Yet Sutton Park, 10 miles north of York, is where Mr Cameron will spend Christmas with his family this year.

The property, complete with award-winning gardens, is owned by Sir Reginald Sheffield, father of Mr Cameron's wife Samantha.

The Tory leader with his wife and children Ivan, Nancy and Arthur are expected to spend three days in Yorkshire over the festive period.

Sutton Park is one of two extensive properties owned by Sir Reginald and his wife Lady Sheffield. The 300-acre Normanby Hall estate, near Scunthorpe, has been in the family since 1590 and is where Samantha grew up.

In contrast, Sutton Park, on the edge of the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, has been in the Sheffield family since just 1963. It was built in the 18th century by Philip Harland.

When the Sheffields acquired it they moved in much of their collection from Normanby Hall. Large parts of the collection were originally from Buckingham House, the family's London home built by John Sheffield, First Duke of Buckingham – now the Queen's official residence, Buckingham Palace.

The Sutton Park estate is said to be worth between £3m and £5m and for much of the year, parts of the house and gardens are open to the public, although it still prides itself on being "a charming and lived-in house".

The property's website states: "The House contains beautiful 18th century furniture, paintings mostly from Buckingham House, now Buckingham Palace, and an important collection of porcelain."

It is also available for hire for corporate events, wedding receptions and filming, and has been used in the filming of hit TV show Heartbeat.

The Camerons have already given a very personal insight into the festive season at their London home, using a black-and-white family portrait as their official Christmas card.

Photographer Tom Stoddart, who has been following Mr Cameron for a project, took the picture and the Tory leader liked it so much he asked if he could use it for the card.

Mr Cameron's willingness to give the public an insight into family life contrasts with Gordon Brown's determination to keep his children out of the glare of publicity.

He has been a regular visitor to Yorkshire since becoming party leader.