For a family day out this month, there’s something magical and (let’s admit it) satisfyingly wholesome about a romp around your local National Trust property. As it happens, our local historic haunts are putting on quite the show this winter with all manner of trails, crafts, walks, talks and workshops on.

I headed up to Hughenden near High Wycombe this week, one of my local favourites thanks to its unusual history as the home of former PM Disraeli and its bonkersly dramatic Chilterns setting. That, and I’m always eager to make my NT card work for its annual fee.

This season at the Victorian manor it’s all about the 12 Days of Christmas with each of the gifts from the much-loved carol incorporated into scenes in the grounds, gardens, stableyard and manor. Wander along the pretty festoon-lit woodland path from the car park towards the stableyard and already you’ll spot one of the 12 among the trees. I don’t want to drop any spoilers here but it’s for obvious reasons which gift comes next, perched in the orchard.

There are more Christmas trees than you can shake a bell at around Hughenden, much to the kids’ delight, but one of the prettiest, for me, was in the cobbled courtyard of the stables amid a border of straw bales, milk churns and milking stools – ticking off the 8th day. This game continues as you wander the house and gardens, with some of the 12 days more tricky to find than others, making it an activity that’ll engage kids up to pre-teen as they also pick up the snippets of history about the house as the home of the Victorian PM, Disraeli.

There’s a lively animation for the leaping lords and while this isn’t generally a hands-on kind of attraction, kids will love trying on the outfits in the dressing up room, while adults can enjoy the views across the parterre, or get stuck in themselves for their little Bridgerton moment.

The gardens were popular with littlies the day I visited because alongside the usual hide-and-seek woodland and topiary there’s also probably the most striking of the scenes – seven swans swimming on a wave of blue baubles. It really works in the setting and together with the giant Christmas tree at the front of the house and the festive phone box filled with fluttering letters to Santa, it’s all very elegant and enchanting. Just let me know if you find the French hens – they totally eluded me…

And there’s more…

12 Days of Christmas at Hughenden runs until 2 Jan for no extra fee. As part of the experience there’s children’s story time (mid-week for pre-schoolers and weekends for older kids), decoration making (book now for 10 Dec), and candlelit tours complete with carol singing (7, 14, 21 Dec) – as well as mulled wine alongside the usual offerings in the cafe and the wonderful shop opposite, which is perfect for gifts including books, gloves, scarves, games, stationery and more.

On the first day of Christmas… A festive family day out

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