Experience an enchanted Christmas and be part of history this festive season in Wrexham

• National Trust Cymru invites visitors to spend some quality time together with their families and friends at Wrexham’s Chirk Castle and Erddig

• At Chirk Castle, visitors can donate to the reverse grotto then explore the state rooms and venture into parts of the east wing to enjoy an immersive experience in the lower dining room

• At Erddig, celebrate the gift of giving and 50 years since the property was gifted to National Trust Cymru with a reverse grotto and stunning display of more than 2,000 wrapped presents

• Chirk Castle’s enchanted Christmas is inspired by the many representations of animals in the collection including the painting ‘Orpheus Charming the Animals’ which will be out on public display

• Erddig will have more than 22 Christmas trees with much of the house and the staircase elegantly and traditionally dressed for the occasion

This Christmas National Trust Cymru invites visitors to experience an enchanted and magical festive period at its properties in Wrexham.

From 2 December, expect to be wowed by extravagant handmade and ornate decorations and trees, with festive monkeys and dragons in flight at Chirk Castle as the collection is brought to life, while Erddig will be brimming with gifts and decorated Christmas trees to mark an historic moment in the property’s history.

This Christmas, visitors can explore parts of Chirk Castle’s east wing, which is being opened for the first time since before Covid. This year’s enchanted castle theme is inspired by the many representations of animals in the collection including a fantastical painting ‘Orpheus Charming the Animals’, dating to the early 1600s and which will be on display.

Look out for beautifully decorated trees, an enchanted forest in the Long Gallery and a range of animals including birds in flight, dragons, and monkeys causing havoc as you wander through the castle. Finish with an immersive projection experience in the lower dining room. On selected weekends there will be hand bell ringing by the grand staircase.

Outside, wrap up warm, grab a festive hot drink or treat from our tearoom and enjoy a wintery walk through the 480-acre parkland. There will also be a reverse grotto taking donations for the Oswestry and Borders foodbanks. Father Christmas will be there at weekends to thank you for your donations from 2 –17 December.

Open daily from 2 December to 7 January. Property closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle

Erddig are pulling out all the stops this Christmas to celebrate the gift of giving and 50 years since National Trust Cymru began caring for this special place.

Much of the house will be dressed for the occasion with some of the silver from the collection on display in the dining room and more than 2,200 wrapped presents in the Tribes Room, with each gift representing 10 items in the collection. Keep the children entertained and follow the trail through the house counting how many gold objects you can find before exploring the Grade-I listed garden.

On selected days there will be marshmallow toasting, craft activities including making a tree decoration, storytelling, live music from a string trio band and Dynamic Signing Choir and Breakfast (or supper) with Santa will also be returning (additional charges apply).

A story nook will create a cosy indoor reading space for families in the book shop and the education room will be open every day for paper bauble decorating. Don’t forget to leave a donation for the Wrexham foodbank at the Reverse Grotto where Father Christmas will be stopping by on weekends to help say thank you.

Open daily from 2 December to 7 January. The house will be open for evening sessions on December 18, 19, 20 and 21 at 3.30pm with last entry at 6.30pm to allow everyone to experience Christmas at Erddig. Property closed 24 and 25 December; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig

Dr Anne Kurdock, Experience and Visitor Programming Manager at Chirk Castle and Erddig said:

“Christmas is the perfect time to spend time with loved ones and so we have focused on creating a beautiful and magical environment everyone can enjoy. Our Christmas events at both properties really bring our collections to life and celebrate everything we have to offer.

“Of course, Chirk Castle and Erddig are awe-inspiring all year-round, but over the festive period we add a little bit of sparkle and wonder to that, and we look forward to seeing people from the local community and beyond enjoying what we have created.”