7 magical Christmas adventures in and around Yorkshire: What’s on and when is booking essential

Yorkshire has beauty and splendour by the bucket-load, and has a fabulous choice of National Trust properties to explore inside and out.

To get you fully ready for the season, here are seven firm favourites set to put some sparkle into your visit, through God’s own county and beyond.

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Ripon

What’s on: See Fountains Abbey aglow this Christmas as Music and Lights returns. As twilight falls, make your way to the abbey, spot twinkling fairy lights in the trees and wander through the ruins bathed in rainbow colours. Walk beneath the cellarium's vaulted ceilings, under the grand columns of the nave and stop to watch the live choirs and bands fill the ruins with festive music.

Don’t miss: During the day, blow away the cobwebs on a winter walk through the World Heritage Site, explore the family trail, do a spot of Christmas shopping and be revived by a warming mug of hot chocolate. You can also get stuck into some family Christmas crafts at Swanley Grange - perfect for little ones to get messy with natural materials and create festive decorations to take home.

Save the date: Music and lights is on weekends in December and daily from 19 December- 3 January (closed on 24/25 December) – there’ll be recorded carols on certain afternoons when there isn’t live music. Join in with Christmas crafts every weekend in December and every day 19 December–3 January (excluding 24 & 25 December).

Nostell, Wakefield

What’s on: This December come and make festive memories to treasure at Nostell. The house will be decorated with the finest foliage from Nostell's landscape. The fires will be lit, seasonal music will be playing and there will be Christmas crafts to keep the little ones entertained in the workshop. Adding to the magic, the exquisite Doll’s House will also be decorated with miniature Christmas trimmings. Father Christmas is expected to visit the house on most weekends during December so you might spot him as he walks around the house or, perhaps you’ll see him having a cheeky pre-Christmas snooze by the fire.

Don’t miss: Outside the parkland and gardens are the perfect backdrop to a winter walk and there’s a winter trail for families to follow, before calling into the cafe for a warming hot chocolate and a slice of cake to refuel.

Save the date: The house is open selected days in December, while the parkland, gardens and tea-room are open daily (except 25 December). Visit the National Trust website for more info.

Nunnington Hall, Nunnington

What’s on: Visit Nunnington Hall this Christmas for a festive journey back though in time. Explore the house to see how Christmas celebrations and decorations have evolved over the centuries from indulgent feasting with the Georgians, the arrival of the Christmas tree with the Victorians, to the glitz and glamour of the roaring 1920s. Every Sunday there’ll also be a different choir singing in the Oak Hall, adding to the festive spirit.

Don’t miss: In the gallery, the much-loved community art exhibition ‘Art for Christmas’, has returned, giving you the opportunity to see the work of local artists covering a variety of subjects including local life, landscape, nature and wildlife.

Save the date: You can explore the house and gallery Friday-Sunday from Friday 25 November – Sunday 18 December. Enjoy a festive evening at Nunnington Hall on Saturday 3 December, 6-8.30pm. There’ll be carols by the fire pit, the chance to grab a bite to eat from The Bistro Guy (sourdough pizzas) and Van Chaud, and then enjoy the house dressed for Christmas through the ages. Who knows, you might even see the big man himself!

Ormesby Hall, Teesside

What’s on: The scene is set for a panto-themed Christmas at Ormesby Hall this year. Enter the house to discover a theatrical atmosphere, with rooms adorned with sparkling lights, pantomime-inspired decorations and winter foliage from the garden.

Enjoy seasonal food and hot drinks from the café and warm yourself by the fire pit in the garden. There will be some festive treats to taste, from gingerbread biscuits, mince pie brownie, festive cranberry scones and orange, cranberry & almond cake

Don’t miss: At weekends, join the friendly elves for children’s Christmas crafts and add to the ever-growing paper chain.

Save the date: On Friday 9 December, spend a festive evening at Ormesby Hall. Visit between 6-8pm for late-night opening with festive music, food and drink stalls to enjoy by the fire pit and a chance to see the house decorated for Christmas at night. Please note the garden will be closed. The house is open Friday-Monday 25 November- plus 19-22 December

Treasurer’s House, York

What’s on: Explore the beautifully decorated house at Christmas and escape the winter bustle of York. Celebrate the rich history of Treasurer’s House with this year's decorating theme - The Gift of Giving - uncovering the stories of past residents and revealing more about Frank Green’s incredible gift of his home and collection to the National Trust. Beautiful and unique decorations in each room will tell a small part of Treasurer’s House’s story, from astronomer John Goodricke’s great discovery to champion of literature Elizabeth Montagu’s literary soirees.

Save the date: Drop in Saturday to Wednesday, 11am - 4pm, 19 November - 18 December, no need to book.

Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley

What’s on: Explore the beauty of winter and give a gift to nature this festive season at Wentworth Castle Gardens. Embark on a brisk walk across the parkland, listen out for seasonal birdsong, and enjoy the sights of the Conservatory and gardens decked out in all their winter finery. Stop off at the Long Barn Café to warm up with a hot drink and a slice of cake.

Don’t miss: Get creative to make your own handmade decorations – there’s adult wreath-making workshops in November (21 & 24 November), using greenery from the gardens, and family winter decoration making workshops in December (10 & 17 December), giving you the chance to make decorations from natural and recycled materials.

Other must see moments: On 1 and 2 December, come along to a community swap shop and swap those pre-loved toys that your children have outgrown for new-to-you gifts they will love. Those bringing a toy on the day of the swap will receive free admission to explore the gardens. There’s no need to book, just pop along on the day.

And between 19-23 December, join Indigo Moor Theatre for a magical puppet show or head to the outdoor Interactive Shadow Puppet Space to put on your own shadow puppet show. It is on Monday 19 - Friday 23 December, 1-1.45pm and 2.15-3pm.

The show will take place in the Blackbourn Room and this event is recommended for children aged 5+. Tickets are £2 and booking is essential.

From 19-23 December, at 11.00am- 12.30pm and 1.30- 3pm, Indigo Moon Theatre’s Outdoor Interactive Shadow Puppet Space invites you to play with shadow puppets behind the screen – pull the strings to raise the scenery, change the mood on the overhead projector and create your own stories… Or just sit at the front, enjoy watching the screen transform and experiment with puppets and torches to create your own world of shadows.

Don’t miss the Wreath Making Workshops Monday 21 & Thursday 24 November, 11am-3.30pm.

Enjoy a creative day making a seasonal wreath with the Wentworth team using greenery, like holly and yew, from the gardens. All materials will be provided, and the workshop also includes hot drinks and a light lunch.

This workshop is suitable for those aged 16+. These workshops take place in the Blackbourn Room. £45 per person and admission to the gardens and parkland is included with your ticket. Booking is essential - click here to guarantee your place.

And on Saturday 10 & Saturday 17 December, 11am-12.30pm and 1.30 - 3pm there’s the Winter Decorations Workshops

Join artist Sally Storr to make your own handmade seasonal decorations. This workshop celebrates recycling and upcycling, taking inspiration from the nature around us.We will show you how to use natural and recycled materials to create wonderful decorations that you can hang up indoors or even tie onto a tree outside.All materials will be provided. This workshop is suitable for those aged 5+. Tickets are £2 per participant and booking is essential - click here to book.

East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley

What’s on: This Christmas take a step back in time to hear more about the history of the people who once lived at East Riddlesden Hall and the impact they had on the hall we see today.

Don’t miss: Every weekend in December, you can join a tour of house to learn more about the history of the hall and the collections it houses, before exploring the frosted garden surrounding it. Browse traditional Christmas food and beautiful handmade decorations and everything in between in the shop or warn up with a cuppa in the tea-room.

Save the date: From Saturday 17 – Wednesday 21 December, families can step back in time to 1647, when festive Christmas celebrations were banned, and join James Murgatroyd, a former resident and staunch royalist, as he celebrates a secret Christmas. Learn about the traditions of the 17th century, enjoy storytelling, festive crafting and receive a special gift. Booking advisable.

To discover more, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/christmas-days-out-in-yorkshire