For a real traditional Christmas, there is no better place to eat, drink and make merry than at a National Trust restaurant or tearoom. Many of the restaurants and tearooms are located in very special old buildings guaranteeing a wonderfully evocative atmosphere with candlelight and, in many instances, a crackling fire.

This year offers a chance to enjoy a Yuletide lunch in a clock tower, in an old coastguard cottage, converted stables - or even a lighthouse.

Properties will be serving Victorian Christmas meals to acknowledge the parts played by Prince Albert and Charles Dickens in making Christmas a special occasion for the whole family.

Booking is essential for the meals

PARTIAL LISTING OF EVENTS

Event : Christmas Craft Exhibition
Venue : Cotehele (in Cornwall)
Date(s) : Saturday 22 November to Tuesday 23 December 2003
Description : A wide range of craft and art including jewellery, wood, galss, ceramics & prints
Notes : East Range of Cotehele House, noon - 4pm, Tel. 01579 351346

Event : Cotehele Hall & Christmas Garland
Venue : Cotehele (in Cornwall)
Date(s) : Sunday 30 November to Tuesday 23 December 2003
Description : See the Hall of the House decorated with our unique christmas garland, freshly made by our gardening team.
Notes : no charge but donations welcome. Noon- 4pm, Tel. 01579 351346

Event : House decorated for Christmas
Venue : Killerton (in Devon)
Date(s) : Saturday 13 to Tuesday 23 December 2003
Description : Come and see the house decorated for Christmas in traditional Victorian style. Carols on Sunday afternoons
Notes : 2pm to 4pm Tel. 01392 881345

Event : Try This!'
Venue : Lanhydrock (in Cornwall)
Date(s) : Monday 1 to Tuesday 23 December 2003
Description : Tastings of various 'goodies' for sale in the shop
Notes : Admission free 11am - 4pm, Tel. 01208 73320

Event : Look who's at the Big House!
Venue : Lanhydrock (in Cornwall)
Date(s) : Monday 22 to Tuesday 23 December 2003
Description : Visit Father Christmas in his grotto
Notes : No booking necessary,admission free 12 - 3pm, tel. 01208 73320

Event : Opening hours
Venue : Trelissick Garden (in Cornwall)
Date(s) : Monday 3 November to Tuesday 23 December 2003
Description : To enable you to take advantage of hassle free Christmas shopping, the garden, restaurant, shop and gallery will be open.
Notes : Open between 11am and 4pm. NT members free, non members at Party Rate, children half adult price. Tel. 01872 863486

Event : Christmas Trees On Sale
Venue : Knightshayes Court (in Devon)
Date(s) : Saturday 29 November 2003 until sold out
Description : A real fir frenzy with an array of locally grown, cut, bare-rooted and potted trees arrive, complemented by a specially selected range of ornaments and decorations on sale.
Notes : In the Plant Centre.

Event : Boxing Day Walk
Venue : Buckland Abbey (in Devon)
Date(s) : Friday 26 December 2003
Description : A sociable way to walk of the excesses of Christmas Day!
Notes : 11am £3 for adults £1 for children. Booking essential. Tel. 01822 853607

Event : Christmas Pudding Burner
Venue : Marsden Moor (in Yorkshire)
Date(s) : Friday 26 December 2003
Description : A 10 mile hard walk. Enjoy some of Marsden's dramatic areas. Meet Marsden Railway Station.
Notes : Meet 10am Marsden Railway Station. Free to participate, donations welcome. Bring food. Dogs on leads welcome. Tel. 01422 844 518

Event : Christmas Walk
Venue : Bath Skyline (in Somerset)
Date(s) : Saturday 27 December 2003
Description : An invigorating 5 mile walk taking in parts of the Bath Skyline and the Palladian Bridge at Prior Park
Notes : 10am, donations welcome. Car parking in The Avenue

Event : Christmas Riverside Walk
Venue : Lacock Abbey (in Wiltshire)
Date(s) : Saturday 27 December 2003
Notes : 11am, meet outside Fox Talbot Museum, Tel. 01249 730227

Event : Woodland Wonders
Venue : Mount Stewart (in County Down)
Date(s) : Sunday 28 December 2003
Description : Walk the woodlands with the Head Gardener and feel less guilty about that extra portion of pudding!
Notes : 2.30pm ;Adults; £3, Family £6.50 (members £2) including hot drinks - kids and dogs welcome, tel. 028 4278 8387

Event : Sunday Lunch
Venue : Trelissick Garden (in Cornwall)
Date(s) : Sunday 28 December 2003
Description : Traditional Sunday Lunch with definitely no Turkey and no washing up, with a chance to walk in the garden after if you want to shed a few of those pounds you put on over Christmas.
Notes : Lunch served between 12.30 and 2pm, booking essential on 01872 863486

Event : Watersmeet Festive Wander
Venue : Watersmeet (in Devon)
Date(s) : Sunday 28 December 2003
Description : Join the warden for a stroll along the East Lyn looking at this beautiful and dramatic valley in winter. Refreshments at the Rockford Inn along the way.
Notes : 11am-2pm Meet at the Watersmeet car park on the A39 (Free in December) OS 743:488 Tel 01598 763306

Event : Christmas Opening
Venue : Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate (in Cheshire)
Date(s) : Monday 29 December 2003
Description : The mill, apprentice house, restaurant & country park will be open for the holidays
Notes : Tel. 01625 527 468

Event : Yuletide Celebrations
Venue : Little Moreton Hall (in Cheshire)
Date(s) : Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 December 2003
Description : Seasonal music and décor in the Great Hall, come and see Father Christmas!
Notes : Free admission

Event : Christmas time at Mount Stewart
Venue : Mount Stewart (in County Down)
Date(s) : Monday 1 to Tuesday 30 December 2003
Description : Santa's Grotto/Christmas storytime at Mount Stewart and special woodland trails
Notes : 2-4pm ;£7.50 (members £5), Tel. 028 4278 8387

Event : Christmas Fair
Venue : Dinefwr (in Carmarthenshire)
Date(s) : Monday 1 to Wednesday 31 December 2003
Description : Christmas Fair with a wide variety of local crafts and produce stall holders
Notes : Payment on the day - Tel. 01558 823902 for information

Event : Autumn and Christmas Exhibition
Venue : Trelissick Garden (in Cornwall )
Date(s) : Saturday 11 October to Wednesday 31 December 2003
Description : A mixed show of original paintings and prints, which might provide the solution to that tricky Christmas present.
Notes : Normal opening times and prices apply, tel. 01872 862090

There are many, many more events planned. For up to date listings, please visit the National Trust website at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/thingstodo/events/default.asp