THE NATIONAL Trust will be celebrating Christmas with a host of events happening throughout the festive period.

Its historic houses in and around Hampshire are filled with hand-crafted decorations, twinkling lights and fresh winter greenery, offering the perfect opportunity to escape the crowds.

Gardens and countryside are transformed into beautiful winter landscapes which are waiting to be explored.

At Hinton Ampner, near Cheriton, favourite fairytales including Cinderella,?Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel will be brought to life.

The Brothers Grimms Fairy Tale Christmas will take place from Saturday until December 23.

The show was inspired by Hinton’s former owner Ralph Dutton, who would invite the village children up to the house at Christmas for festive storytelling and puppet shows.

Magnificent floral displays have been created by Hinton’s volunteer florists and Hinton’s famous miniature mice in fairytale fancy dress costumes.

An outdoor family trail has 25 fairytale secrets to discover, hidden behind Advent Calendar boxes at £2 per trail.

Meanwhile, guided winter walks will take place, led by head gardener John Wood between?December 27 and January 1 from 1pm until 3pm. They cost £10 each and can be booked by calling 0344 2491895.

Uppark’s Victorian owner Lady Featherstonhaugh and her servants will be inviting the public to a country house Christmas party.

Taking place from Sunday until New Year’s Eve, it is a lavish feast to celebrate the festive season.

Visitors can discover how the servants of a country house like Uppark celebrated Christmas in the Victorian era.

Intricately detailed paper mannequins designed and created by artist Denise Watson of Delicarta will be there to greet people with real servants on hand to meet visitors at the weekend.

There will be baking demonstrations and carol singing, craft workshops and guided winter walks.

Festive outdoor activity trails will take children on fun adventures through the gardens.

There are simple activities for little ones and a harder puzzle for the older children, costing £2 per child.

From December 16 to 24, visitors to Winchester City Mill can step into a Christmas of festive baking, carol singing and plenty of sparkle plus fun for all ages.