Dyrham Park in South Gloucestershire is embracing the outdoors this Christmas with a family-friendly offering during the first three weekends in December (December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21)

As well as having the chance to spot real deer from the park’s herd of fallow deer, there will be a reindeer trail across the park with rustic model deer hiding in all sorts of places. Father Christmas will be riding across the park too, and visitors can meet him at Old Lodge natural play area at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

A team of National Trust staff and volunteers will be on hand to help make natural Christmas decorations, which visitors can either take home or display on one of the estate’s trees. There will also be mince pies, mulled Dyrham Park perry and mulled apple juice on offer.

Choirs from across the area will be performing in St Peter’s Church, next to Dyrham Park. This includes Marshfield Male Voice Choir, Bath’s Organum Choir, Bristol’s Fascinating Rhythm, Horton Primary School Choir, St James’ Church Choir and more. Full times and choir list available on the Dyrham Park website.

The National Trust shop will also be open during the weekend, with lots of Christmas gifts, cards and edible offerings – including biscuits and shortbread and its signature range of jams and curds. The tea-room will be serving roast dinners alongside its usual fare of scones, cakes and seasonal dishes.

Kate Collins, Visitor and Volunteering Experience Officer at Dyrham Park, said: “Christmas is a magical time here at Dyrham Park and we’re not letting the closure of the house stop us from bringing festive joy to people. The park will be the place for families wanting to meet Father Christmas, while those looking for a more traditional element might enjoy the choral performances in the church and a mince pie with a drop of mulled perry.”

Dyrham Park is situated just off junction 18 of the M4 – 8 miles north of Bath and 12 miles east of Bristol. The park is open daily from 10am-dusk, with the garden, tea-room and shop open weekends only over the winter months. The house is now closed until March 2015 in preparation for the roof project in 2015/16.

For more information is available on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/DyrhamPark