Crafty Christmas Weekends at Dunstable Downs
5–6 Dec, 12–13 Dec…
Families can take part in indoor craft workshops at Dunstable Downs, making Christmas decorations and gifts inspired by nature.
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a scenic ceremonial county in South East England known for its historic market towns, natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills, cultural landmarks like Bletchley Park, and strong rail and public transport connections.
Near Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Downs, the highest point in Bedfordshire, is a chalk escarpment in the Chiltern Hills offering outdoor activities like gliding and kite flying, with rich natural history and ancient archaeological sites. It is managed by the National Trust and accessible via walking trails.
Relaxed House Openings
9 Oct
A relaxed opening of Waddesdon Manor’s historic house, with reduced noise, no videos and flexible entry and exit times for visitors who would benefit from a calmer visit. It is designed for neurodivergent adults and children, along with their family, friends or carers.
Near Waddesdon
Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire is a French Renaissance-style château set in expansive Victorian gardens featuring ornate fountains, a rococo aviary, and a woodland playground. Visitors can explore the impressive art collection inside the manor, enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities, guided garden walks, and dine at onsite restaurants and cafes.
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
27–29 Nov, 4–6 Dec
An adult Christmas wreath-making workshop where attendees make a fresh wreath using a mossed base, seasonal foliage and decorations.
Autumn Boating at Cliveden
8–11 Oct, 15–18 Oct…
Visitors can take a boat trip on the River Thames at Cliveden, choosing from self-drive electric launches, a skippered cruise, pedal boats, rowing boats or Canadian canoes. The event also highlights Cliveden’s historic association with boating on the Thames.
Painting Workshops
17 Oct, 1 Nov…
A guided acrylic painting workshop led by Easely Does It, with step-by-step instruction, demonstrations and individual support. Participants create a canvas to take home; no previous painting experience is needed.
Plush Pumpkins Workshop
25 Oct
Participants make fabric pumpkins using a selection of fabrics, with guidance throughout the workshop. The session includes simple hand sewing and is suitable for families and beginners.
2 miles from Hughenden
Hughenden Manor is a Victorian mansion and former country house of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, featuring historic rooms, memorabilia, and extensive gardens in Buckinghamshire. Now owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors a blend of indoor historical experience and outdoor natural beauty with views over the valley.
Located in High Wycombe
High Wycombe is a historic market town in Buckinghamshire, England, known for its rich furniture-making heritage, cultural attractions, and green spaces in the Chiltern Hills. It offers a walkable town centre with shopping centres, museums, parks, and theatres alongside good public and rail transport connections.
October Half Term: Spooky Silent Disco
28 Oct, 30–31 Oct
A Halloween-themed silent disco for children aged 3–12 and their families, with attendees wearing headphones and dancing to music in the View Café.
Seasonal Wreath Making Workshop
27 Nov
Participants are guided by professional florists from Maples Flowers in making a festive wreath using seasonal foliage, dried fruits, ribbons and other decorative details. Materials are provided, and attendees can personalise their wreath.
Near Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a 9.5-acre garden in Bedfordshire laid out in the form of a cathedral using various tree species. It serves as a living tribute and a place of reflection with chapels for each season and is managed by the National Trust.
Behind the Scenes Tour
18 Oct (next Sunday)
A 60-minute guided tour of the rooms where Waddesdon Manor’s servants lived and worked, including how those spaces are used today and how the collection is conserved. The tour also visits the academic apartments, Treasury and Wine Cellars.
Near Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor is a Grade I listed Neo-Renaissance country house in Buckinghamshire, England, managed by the National Trust and owned by the Rothschild Foundation. It features remarkable art collections, formal gardens, an aviary, and historic wine cellars, with public access including exhibitions, dining, and child-friendly activities.
Stars at Stowe Stargazing
31 Oct
Stars at Stowe Stargazing combines a talk about the solar system with an outdoor stargazing session at the South Front. Attendees can use shared telescopes to observe planets and constellations with guidance from UK Astronomy experts.
Near Stowe House
Stowe House is a lavish historic English country house known for its pioneering 21st-century restoration project, set within the renowned Stowe landscape with enchanting gardens. Visitors can explore the interior of the house and enjoy accessible facilities and food options onsite.
October Half Term - Stranger Folk at Hughenden
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can use the Stranger Folk app to follow an interactive adventure inspired by British folklore at Hughenden, working together to heal a rift between the human and spirit worlds. The story features characters such as a mysterious Old Crone, goblins and boggarts.
Christmas at Cliveden: The Snow Queen
20 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can follow Gerda’s journey from the Water Garden and festive picnic area to the Sounding Chamber, experiencing an immersive installation inspired by The Snow Queen through visual and sensory displays.
2 miles from Wallasea Island
Wallasea Island is a wildlife-rich nature reserve featuring saltmarsh, mudflats, lagoons and grasslands that support a variety of birds, mammals and invertebrates. Visitors can explore multiple walking trails and wildlife viewing hides in a well-managed outdoor habitat with good wheelchair accessibility. Dogs are permitted on one trail on a short lead, and no food facilities are available onsite.
Christmas dinner at Basildon Park: 30 November to 17 December
30 Nov–3 Dec, 7–10 Dec…
Guests can enjoy a festive Christmas lunch in the Garden Room at Basildon Park, choosing a two- or three-course meal with seasonal dishes, a mince pie and a hot drink.
Near Basildon Park
Basildon Park is a Grade I listed Palladian country house in Berkshire featuring neoclassical interiors and extensive landscaped grounds. Visitors can explore both the grand historic interiors and the outdoor parkland, with exhibits including a nostalgic 1950s kitchen. The house has been restored and is open to the public, offering a rich glimpse into English country house history and architecture. It has also served as a location for several notable films.
Stars at Stowe Stargazing
31 Oct
A family-friendly stargazing evening with a talk about the solar system, followed by outdoor telescope viewing of planets and constellations with guidance from astronomy experts.
5K Santa Run
6 Dec
A festive 5K Santa-themed run or walk around the gardens, with participants encouraged to dress up as Santa.
Trust 10K Run
25 Oct, 22 Nov…
A monthly 10K trail run through the grounds of Stowe Gardens, open to runners seeking either a training run or a sociable jog. Participants run the course together, with registration at 8:30am and a 9am start.
Near Stowe Gardens
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
Art Club: Father Christmas
2 Dec
A festive art workshop led by tutor Libby, with Father Christmas as its theme. It is the final session in Something Less Boring’s Autumn-Winter art courses.
Seasonal Wreath Making Workshop
5 Dec
Participants make a festive wreath using seasonal foliage, dried fruit, ribbons and other decorations, with guidance from florists. Materials are provided, and attendees can personalise their wreath.
The Rothschild Story
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An interactive display explores the history and family tree of the Rothschild family, including their connections to Waddesdon Manor and their interests in art, horticulture, nature and sustainability.
3 miles from Nether Winchendon House
Nether Winchendon House is a Grade I listed Medieval and Tudor manor house in Buckinghamshire, featuring historic architecture and surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland. Visitors can tour the house on selected dates by pre-booking.
Festival of Lights - Rangoli Art
7–15 Nov
Visitors can contribute to a large Rangoli artwork using colourful materials, celebrating community and Diwali. The completed piece will be displayed in the visitor centre for an evening celebration on 15 November.
A Rothschild Treasury: Tours
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A 45-minute guided tour explores selected objects in A Rothschild Treasury, sharing stories about their history and the Rothschild family’s collecting tradition.
Festival of Lights Celebration
15 Nov
A Diwali celebration featuring performances by the tabla and flute duo Soulful Sangeet, alongside traditional crafts and games. Attendees can experience the festival’s colours and lights and learn more about its story.
Monthly Dog Walks
21 Oct, 18 Nov…
A monthly guided walk through the gardens at Stowe, led by a walk leader and welcoming people and their dogs. Dogs must be kept on leads, and participants may leave the walk early if needed.
2 miles from Buckingham Chantry Chapel
Buckingham Chantry Chapel is a historic 15th-century chapel in Buckingham, noted for its Norman doorway and status as the oldest building in town. Owned by the National Trust, it is currently open to the public as a second-hand bookshop, offering visitors insight into medieval ecclesiastical architecture and local heritage.
Social walks with the National Trust
2 Oct, 16 Oct…
A volunteer-led social walk across Cookham Commons, taking in heathland, woodland paths and countryside views. Participants can learn about the area and its care while walking at a relaxed pace and meeting others.
Near Maidenhead and Cookham Commons
Maidenhead and Cookham Commons is a vast natural reserve in Berkshire offering diverse outdoor landscapes including riverbanks, woodlands, meadows, and walking trails. Ideal for families and dog walkers, the commons provide historical and natural exploration amidst open countryside.
Art Course: Watercolour Sunsets
5 Nov
Participants will learn watercolour techniques with an art tutor and create their own sunset painting. The workshop is suitable for beginners and those looking to develop their skills.
Christmas at Stowe
21 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Explore Christmas traditions from around the world at New Inn, then follow a festive trail through Stowe Gardens to discover seasonal facts, collect stamps and take photos.
Christmas at Claydon House: House of Bells
14 Nov–20 Dec
House of Bells is a multi-sensory Christmas experience at Claydon House, combining bells, candlelight, scent and stories. Visitors can explore festive displays throughout the historic house.
The Great Big Halloween Hunt Trail
3 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family activity trail in Hughenden’s formal gardens, inspired by the children’s book The Great Big Halloween Hunt. Children can search, play and explore along the route.
2 miles from West Wycombe
West Wycombe is a historic village in Buckinghamshire known for its National Trust properties including West Wycombe Park, caves, the Mausoleum on the hill, and St Lawrence's Church with a unique golden globe tower. The village has notable historical architecture and attracts tourists with its blend of indoor exhibits and outdoor heritage sites.
Meet the Authors of 60 Remarkable Rooms of the National Trust
26 Nov
Authors Elizabeth Green, Lucy Porten and James Rothwell discuss their book *60 Remarkable Rooms of the National Trust*, followed by a Q&A and book signing. Attendees can then explore Claydon House and its gardens.
Zombies of Lamport Trail
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a zombie-themed trail through Stowe Gardens, solving puzzles to help a scientist find an antidote and clear the zombies from Lamport. The trail is designed for children aged 6 and over.
Christmas at Basildon Park
14 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Christmas at Basildon Park features festive decorations inspired by famous musicals, with singing, dancing and acting opportunities inside the mansion. In the gardens, visitors can explore musical displays, play a giant piano and try copying dance moves.
Christmas dinner at Basildon Park: 16 to 26 November
16–19 Nov, 23–26 Nov
Enjoy a festive Christmas lunch in the Garden Room at Basildon Park, choosing a two- or three-course meal from a seasonal menu.
2 miles from Lardon Chase, the Holies and Lough Down
Lardon Chase, the Holies and Lough Down is a National Trust countryside property in Berkshire offering expansive chalk grassland, woodland, and scenic walks with diverse flora and butterfly species. Free public access is available for nature enthusiasts, with notable views over the Thames Valley and historic landscapes.
Diwali at Stowe
6–10 Nov
Celebrate Diwali at Stowe, see a volunteer-made Rangoli display in the Temple of Venus, and visit a selfie station. Diya painting is available on Saturday 7 November only.
October Half Term – Stranger Folk at Cliveden
3 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Families can use the Stranger Folk app to play an interactive folklore adventure around Cliveden, encountering goblins and other creatures. The event also includes scheduled children’s craft drop-ins and age-appropriate storytelling sessions.
Pumpkin Wooden Lantern Craft Workshop
28–29 Oct
Children can decorate wooden lantern kits in a craft workshop preparing for Halloween.
Family Painting Workshops
24 Oct, 27 Oct…
A family acrylic painting workshop led by Easely Does It, with demonstrations and guidance for adults and children to create their own paintings. All painting materials are included, and no previous experience is needed.
Weighbridge Second-hand bookshop pop-ups and seasonal displays
7–8 Oct, 31 Oct…
Visitors can browse second-hand books and seasonal displays at the Weighbridge bookshop, including pop-ups themed around poetry, Halloween, remembrance, Christmas and Jane Austen Day.
Autumn Wreath Workshop
13 Oct (next Tuesday)
An adults-only workshop at Hughenden where participants are guided through making a full-sized autumn wreath using seasonal foliage, dried herbs, berries and decorative materials.
3 miles from Cock Marsh
Cock Marsh is a protected marshland area in Berkshire, featuring diverse chalk grasslands, ponds, and an ancient Bronze Age round barrow cemetery. It offers natural and historic interest with its biological diversity and archaeological significance, managed by the National Trust.
Grow with Stowe: Daffodil Bulb Planting
24 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can plant daffodil bulbs at Stowe Gardens alongside other participants, helping to create a spring display.
Stowe and Sir John Vanbrugh: Architecture, Politics and Power
19 Oct–1 Nov
An exhibition about Sir John Vanbrugh’s life, architecture and connection to Stowe House, featuring historic illustrations, commissioned photographs and original plans. Visitors can also discover surviving Vanbrugh-designed features in the Stowe gardens.
Lino Print Winter Workshop
22 Nov
Participants will create a multi-layered winter-inspired lino print in a one-day workshop led by printmaker Alexandra Buckle. Attendees should bring images to work from; printing materials are provided.
Autumn Book Fair
23 Oct–1 Nov
The Autumn Book Fair at Stowe features donated fiction, non-fiction, vintage and collectable books, including signed editions and older volumes. Visitors can browse and buy books, with proceeds supporting the care of the Stowe landscape.
Festival of Lights - Diya Making
7–13 Nov
A relaxed Diya-making workshop for Diwali, where participants can create a clay lamp to take home or contribute it to a community display. The activity is suitable for all ages and abilities and takes place outdoors in suitable weather, or indoors if the weather is poor.
Men in Sheds
25 Oct
Men in Sheds is a pop-up stall at New Inn selling handmade, locally crafted gifts. Visitors can browse and meet the stall’s makers.
Art Club: Elephants
20 Oct
An art class led by an art tutor, focusing on drawing or painting elephants. Participants can learn techniques and explore their creativity, with materials and equipment provided.
We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure
24 Oct–8 Nov
Families can follow a Halloween trail based on the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill books, searching for hidden ghosts around Basildon Park. The route includes activities such as Halloween hoopla and broomstick racing, followed by a celebration party and sticker.
Tiny Tots Halloween Trail
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween activity trail around New Inn for children aged six and under, with playful actions such as walking like a mummy, flapping like a bat and meowing like a cat.
Saved for the Nation
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A display celebrating the transfer to the National Trust of two paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds: portraits of Joanna Leigh and the actor David Garrick. It also explains the Acceptance in Lieu scheme through which the works entered the national collection.
Cliveden house visits
13 Oct, 15 Oct…
Join a volunteer-guided tour of the ground floor of Cliveden House and hear stories about the Astor dynasty and the house’s history. Tours run at regular intervals and explore rooms where notable visitors were once received.
Near Cliveden
Cliveden House is a historic Italianate mansion in Buckinghamshire managed by the National Trust with extensive formal gardens, woodlands, and themed outdoor areas. It features a richly decorated interior with notable rooms and art, a historic clock tower, and a unique outdoor maze. The estate provides diverse visitor experiences including house tours, garden walks, family-friendly activities, and dining options.
Christmas lunch at the View Café
30 Nov–3 Dec, 7–10 Dec…
Christmas lunch at the View Café offers a choice of two- or three-course festive meals, with traditional, vegetarian and vegan main-course options.
Standing with Giants
21–25 Oct, 28 Oct–1 Nov…
Standing with Giants returns to Waddesdon Manor with its D-Day 1475 installation. The display honours those who gave their lives and aims to raise understanding and appreciation of freedom.
Post your letter to Santa throughout December
1–23 Dec
Visitors can write, decorate and personalise a letter to Santa using provided colouring materials, then post it in a special post box for delivery to the North Pole. Pre-written letters can also be brought along to post.
Potion Workshop
26 Oct, 30 Oct
A family-focused Halloween workshop where attendees can use their creativity and imagination to make potions. The activity is held during October half term at Hughenden.
Creepy Chilterns
7 Oct–2 Nov (another 24 days)
A self-guided trail for children aged 8–12 exploring myths, legends and mysterious folklore of the Chiltern Hills. Participants explore Hughenden’s house and gardens, uncover ghostly tales and local legends, and encounter magical creatures.
2 miles from West Wycombe Park, Village and Hill
West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire features a historic Palladian mansion open for guided tours, surrounded by 45 acres of landscaped gardens, a charming 16th to 18th-century village, and scenic hilltop views. Visitors can enjoy cultural events, family-friendly trails, and refreshment options in the village.
Festive spotter trail: Help Santa find his reindeer!
12–23 Dec
Families can follow a spotter trail around the visitor centre and along the path to Chute Wood, finding 12 hidden reindeer and collecting words to complete a Christmas crossword. Participants can return to the Visitor Hub for a festive treat.
Autumn-Winter Outdoor Play at Dunstable Downs
7 Oct 2026–28 Feb 2027 (another 142 days)
Families can enjoy outdoor play at Dunstable Downs, including a welly wander, building woodland dens, making muddy creations, and playing outdoor hopscotch while exploring seasonal changes and wildlife.
David Garrick: His life, his times and his Temple
11 Oct (this Sunday)
A fully illustrated talk by Ellis Jones explores the life of actor David Garrick, his Temple to Shakespeare, and his connections with France and the Huguenots. The talk takes place at the Dairy at Waddesdon Manor.
Guided woodland walks at Basildon Park
23 Oct, 30 Oct…
A volunteer-led walk through the woodlands and estate at Basildon Park, exploring seasonal nature, local flora and fauna, and the estate’s history. The walk lasts around one to two hours.
Gratitude woodland walks at Greys Court
5 Nov, 3 Dec
A guided, meditative woodland walk led by Deborah Lewis, with participants walking quietly in a small group and taking time to contemplate and appreciate nature.
We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure Storytelling Sessions
24 Oct
The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill lead a Halloween-themed storytelling adventure featuring hidden ghosts, pumpkins, bats and owls, with music and gentle spookiness. Three half-hour sessions are scheduled throughout the day.
Belle of the Ball – Cosplay Evening at Claydon House
12 Dec
A Regency-inspired evening at Claydon House featuring a live string quartet, dance displays and caller-led dance workshops, with time for free dancing. Guests are required to wear Regency or Georgian costume, with black tie permitted for men.
Near Claydon
Claydon House is a grand 18th-century country house in Buckinghamshire with lavish interiors and historic costume exhibitions. Visitors can explore the house, extensive gardens including the South Lawn, and participate in family-friendly trails and workshops. Facilities include accessible ground floor, adapted toilets, and a café in the courtyard.
'The Polar Failure': Uncovering the hidden images of the 1875 Arctic expedition
7 Oct 2026–28 Jun 2027 (another 262 days)
An immersive exhibition at Hughenden Manor explores Britain’s 1875 Arctic expedition through more than 100 historic photographs, rare objects and narration. Visitors can learn about the journey and the experiences of the crews of HMS Alert and HMS Discovery.
3 miles from Bradenham, Buckinghamshire
Bradenham is a National Trust village in Buckinghamshire located in a broad valley within the Chiltern Hills, featuring historic buildings including a manor house, a Norman church, and beautiful natural surroundings. It offers outdoor exploration with a mix of heritage and nature experiences.
Christmas at Greys Court
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Christmas at Greys Court brings beloved childhood stories into the house and gardens, with visitors able to explore story-themed displays, find characters among the garden greenery and play games on the Old Tennis Court.
Near Greys Court
Greys Court is a Tudor country house with historic interiors and extensive gardens featuring a medieval castle tower, a walled garden with a maze, and ornamental plants, open to the public under the National Trust.
Christmas at Hughenden: A Victorian Voyage of Discovery
28 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors explore Hughenden decorated for Christmas as a Victorian voyage of discovery, with themed spaces inspired by the night sky, distant deserts, jungles and oceans. A family trail takes place in the gardens.
3 miles from West Wycombe Park
West Wycombe Park is an 18th-century English country house near West Wycombe village, Buckinghamshire, featuring unique Palladian and Neoclassical architecture. Set within extensive landscaped gardens adorned with classical follies and temples, the house offers public access during summer and serves as a venue for weddings and corporate events. It remains the residence of the Dashwood family and is owned by the National Trust.
Halloween Slime Lab
27 Oct
Children can make their own Halloween slime in a hands-on workshop, choosing between cauldron slime and pumpkin slime to take home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
David Garrick and Huguenot music in England
11 Oct (this Sunday)
Bloomsbury Baroque present a concert celebrating actor David Garrick and his connections with France and the Huguenot community. Music by distinguished composers is interspersed with short narratives about Garrick and the Huguenots.
Sir John Vanbrugh and the Making of Stowe
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Michael Bevington gives a lecture on Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe, including archaeological evidence for his buildings and his contribution to the landscape vision developed with Lord Cobham and Charles Bridgeman. The 60-minute talk is followed by audience questions.
Santa Paws Community Dog Walk (in collaboration with Tails on the Trails and Inspiring Tails)
5 Dec
A festive community dog walk through the grounds at Stowe Gardens, with advice from Tails on the Trails and Inspiring Tails on topics including lead walking, enrichment and building confidence with dogs.
October Half Term: Halloween Trail
24 Oct–1 Nov
Families can follow a Halloween trail through the Downs and Chute Wood, meeting spooky characters and taking part in challenges, clue-finding and potion mixing to help break the Curse of Chute Wood.
5K Zombie Run
1 Nov
A 5K Halloween-themed run or walk around the gardens, with participants encouraged to dress in spooky costumes. The ticket also includes all-day access to the gardens.
Guided Tours at Stowe Gardens
31 Mar–2 Apr, 7–9 Apr…
Join a volunteer-led guided tour at Stowe Gardens to learn about the gardens’ history. Tours last approximately one hour to 90 minutes and begin at Bell Gate.