CHRISTMAS wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to a National Trust property beautifully trimmed for the occasion.

We are spoilt in these parts with two stunning houses and gardens, at Uppark at Harting and Hinton Ampner near Bramdean.

Uppark is inviting visitors to go downstairs during the festive period to see how servants would have celebrated.

At a Victorian Christmas Day, see the sort of decorations with which they would have festooned their quarters, while the well to do were living it up upstairs, and place your wish on the tree.

Santa can be found in the stable, with a festive trail to his grotto.

Visits can be made to meet him every weekend between December 5 and December 20, from 11am to 3pm. This costs £5.50 per child to include admission and gift. No need to book.

A festive tea in the café, and a bracing walk around the grounds, would top off a perfect day.

And make sure you take a glimpse into Uppark’s beloved dolls’ house which has been given a sparkly festive make-over.

Over at Hinton Ampner, there’s An Invitation to a Christmas Wedding, from December 5 to 20, from 11am to 4pm.

In the 19th century, Christmas Day weddings were a popular tradition, with churches across the country holding festive nuptials, among them the little church in this property’s grounds.

See the show rooms in the house transformed into lavish scenes, including a sumptuous wedding breakfast.

There’s a pop-up Victorian sweet shop in the courtyard decorated with lights and trees.

And set off with your family on an action-packed festive reindeer trail.

For more details, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A magical occasion for all the family is to be enjoyed at the annual Tree Dressing event at the Weald and Downland on Sunday.

This is to celebrate the importance of trees in our lives, with traditional songs and dances.

Take a jam jar and turn it into a lantern, then join the illuminated procession and dress the tree as darkness falls. For more information, visit www.wealddown.co.uk

At Staunton Country Park near Rowlands Castle this Saturday and Sunday make seasonal crafts in the Elves’ Workshop, complete the Christmas trail and meet Santa.

For more information, call 023 9245 3405 or visit www.hants.gov.uk/staunton

Toast the Christmas tradition of wassailing at Gilbert White’s House and Garden, also this Saturday and Sunday, from 10.30am and 5.15pm.

The Selborne property is hosting its annual Mulled Wine Weekend, with live music, Christmas treats in the Tea Parlour and a wide range of unusual gifts.

Visit www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk for information or call 01420 511275.

If you feel like going a little further afield, head to Fishbourne Roman Palace near Chichester where festive celebrations are Roman-style.

Experience the excitement of the Saturnalia festival on Sunday, December 20, from 11am and 3pm, with feast day food and drink, beeswax candle making, Roman games, dressing up and stories. Visit www.sussexpast.co.uk for details.