If you’re looking for somewhere special to escape the crowds this Christmas and celebrate festive traditions, look no further than the National Trust.

Its historic houses in and around Hampshire are filled with hand-crafted decorations, twinkling lights and fresh winter greenery. Gardens and countryside are transformed into beautiful winter landscapes waiting to be explored.

While Hinton Ampner, near Petersfield on the A272, is bringing favourite fairytales such as Cinderella and Rapunzel to life, Uppark’s Victorian owner, Lady Featherstonhaugh, and her servants invite you to a country house Christmas party, above and below stairs.

The Vyne, near Basingstoke, invites children to follow a festive trail to see if Father Christmas has made it on to the mansion’s huge roof, where visitors can experience the view from a magnificent rooftop walkway.

There are baking demonstrations and carol singing, craft workshops and guided winter walks, festive outdoor activity trails to take children on fun adventures through the gardens, while downloadable walks will take visitors further afield, through frosty winter landscapes of meadows, fields, and ancient woodland.

All the properties have shops filled with gifts big and small, from children’s stocking fillers to beautiful objects inspired by the National Trust’s historic collections. In the cafes, there will be seasonal treats, many made using locally produced ingredients.

Every festive visit supports the National Trust’s conservation work at its houses and gardens, as well as its countryside and coastal areas.

Some of the Christmas highlights include:

•Uppark House South Harting, near Petersfield

Victorian Country House Christmas Party, Until December 31 (closed December 24-25)

Lady Fetherstonhaugh has just hosted one of her famous country house parties – a lavish feast to celebrate the festive season. Come ‘below stairs’ and you’ll discover how servants of a country house like Uppark celebrated Christmas in the Victorian era.

If you sneak up to the ground floor you’ll see the excesses enjoyed by the family in the dining room. Meet some of the ‘servants’ too – intricately detailed paper mannequins designed and created by artist Denise Watson of Delicarta.  

At weekends there’ll be real servants on hand to greet you.

Plus new family trail takes children on an adventure indoors and out, into the world of Victorian festive foods and traditions.

There’s a table to lay, napkins to fold and puddings to stir, plus more fun around the gardens – keep an eye out for Uppark’s pesky mice. Simple activities for little ones and a harder puzzle for older children (£2 per child).

For more details, call 01730 825415 or visit www.national trust.org.uk/uppark.

•Surrey Hills

From harvesting your own Christmas tree to wreath making there are lots of festive traditions to discover across the Surrey Hills this season.

Or simply set out for a walk across Surrey’s most picturesque winter landscapes.

Christmas tree harvesting at Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, on December 9 and 10.

Bring along a saw and pair of gloves and cut your own Christmas tree for £15 each.

There is a Boxing Day walk on Bookham Commons – £10 adults, £5 children. Booking is essential on (01372) 220644.

Try the National Trust’s downloadable, self-guided trails for a winter walk. There are 12 walks to try this Christmas in and around Box Hill, available on its website.

•Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming

With its flourishing winter garden and twisting Holly Walk, this internationally significant landscape is a wonderful place for a stroll in the winter.

Nestled on a hillside in the heart of Surrey, Winkworth’s wintry woodland is the perfect spot for a festive walk in the crisp, clean air. With a mixture of level walkways and more challenging slopes, there’s a route for everyone.

Winter wonders trail for families around the arboretum are being held on December 16 and 17. Bring your four-legged friend to meet Santa Paws at his festive kennel and receive their own doggy treat for Christmas.

For more details call (01483) 208477.

•Polesden Lacey, Dorking

The Edwardian home’s 18ft Christmas tree will welcome you to the party as you step into the central hall. Step back in time and experience all the glamour of a high society Christmas soirée.

The house is abloom with seasonal flowers, the scents of nutmeg and cinnamon drift from the servery; and the sound of 1930s tunes float through the air. Festive food is served in the Granary café. Come midweek for a relaxed, leisurely visit and browse the Christmas gifts in the shop.

The 1930s party is open daily until December 23 – free for National Trust members – from £15 for adult non-members.

Children’s trails are available in the house and gardens, with horse-drawn carriage rides at weekends.

Wreath-making workshops are being held on December 8, 12 and 15, from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm for £30.

Enjoy a bracing Boxing Day walk across Ranmore Common with the trust’s rangers – it’s £8 for adults and £4 for children.

Booking essential for both – call (01372) 452048.

Between Christmas and New Year you can join in Polesdenopoly, a life-size version of the classic Christmas game in the gardens – £5 per game bag.

•Hatchlands Park, near Guildford

Enjoy a really family-friendly outdoor experience at the country house near East Clandon – meet Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas too.

Follow a new children’s trail across the parkland telling the story of the mice who made Silent Night.

Meet the resident donkeys, and stop by the café for a mince pie.

On Saturday, December 16 there is an evening of festive music with crossover soprano Mary-Jess Leaverland. Tickets are £15 – or join in the family Christmas carols on Sunday, December 17. Booking essential: for both on (01483) 444334.

You can also visit the animals from Miller’s Ark in the courtyard on December 16 and 17 between 11am and 3pm.

To meet Father Christmas you have to book a timed slot at weekends on December 9 and 10, and 21 & 22 between11am and 3pm. Entry is £5 per child.

•Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher

Beautiful winter vistas and sparkling lights make Claremont a very special place to visit at this time of year. Take a break from the hectic high street and spend an atmospheric afternoon recharging yourself in this historic royal landscape.

The tranquil retreat of Claremont is a wonderful place to relax at any time of year, but when winter arrives, the garden undergoes a magical transformation.

As the leaves thin, the low winter sun opens up views across the pleasure grounds, creating the perfect picturesque landscape to get you into the seasonal spirit.

Claremont is open every day for festive walks, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

On Saturday, December 23, bring your four legged friend to meet Santa Paws at his festive kennel at Claremont, to receive their own doggy treat for Christmas.

For families there is a special Georgian family trail to discover how our ancestors enjoyed Christmas, December 9-23, from 10am until 3pm. It costs just 50p per trail plus usual entry.

The estate’s Belvedere Tower is open on New Year’s Day, from 10am to 4pm.

•River Wey Navigations, Guildford

Indulge your creative side with our Christmas crafts workshops on the River Wey this winter.

Or head out, in good company, for a guided walk alongside the beautiful River Wey, with a stop-off for mulled wine and mince pies.

Join in a festive circular walk on Sunday, December 10, from Town Lock, past Coxes Mill with a chance to warm up with a mince pie and mulled wine at the White Hart.

Booking is essential on (01483 561389).

•Carols for Clandon

In aid of the Clandon Park Appeal, Join Dame Penelope Keith and the Oxford singers for readings and carols at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford.

All proceeds will go towards restoring the collection and gardens at Clandon. Book now for tickets for the performance on Saturday, December 16 on (01483) 444333.

•Runnymede, near Egham.

Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John’s historic sealing of the Magna Carta over 800 years ago.

Follow a Christmas trail at Runnymede specially for families and discover how King John would have celebrated Christmas in the Middle Ages. from Saturday, December 9 until Sunday, January 7, from 10.30am until 3.30pm

•For Christmas inspiration visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/surrey