Children from Oldfield Brow School in Altrincham have been helping the National Trust’s team at Dunham Massey prepare for Christmas.

Vicky Richardson, Dunham’s visitor experience manager said: “The children were great - they formed an ‘on the spot’ choir and practised carols – and several made sure they posted their letters to Santa!

"If you haven’t written to him yet he’s dropping in to Dunham Massey on December 20 and 21 as part of Dunham’s festive celebrations – so you’d better get it done soon”.

Before then, there are some great family events taking place.

Baking spiced buns and making Christmas boxes and Christmas crackers are part of ‘A Traditional Family Christmas’ on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November.

You’ll get a chance to see preparations ‘below stairs’ as servants prepare for the celebrations.

Tickets are £15 adult and children (aged 7+).

For grown up there’s a chance to spend the day with Dunham’s gardening team on 4 and 5 December with a Wreath workshop.

This will mean getting creative using natural materials from the Dunham estate to make your own festive wreath. Tickets at £45 include all materials, refreshments and a festive lunch.

Carols around the Tree is a chance to sing traditional carols in Dunham’s elegant Edwardian Dining Room Buoyed up by a mince pie and a festive drink you can join in carols with local choirs around the huge and beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

"Tune up and join in on 6, 7 and 13 December. Tickets are £9.”

“We hope lots of people will come to Dunham over the festive season” says Vicky. ”Later in the month we’ll also have a special carol event related to the soldiers who stayed here during the First World War”.

For more information on Christmas events at Dunham Massey go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nwchristmas.

To book tickets for all the above call the National Trust Box Office on 0844 249 1895.