TRUST THEM TO MAKE CHRISTMAS BRILLIANT

Europe's largest conservation charity and three of its glorious stately homes star in a new BBC documentary revealing the traditions and styling that create a quintessential Christmas. KAREN ROCKETT reports.

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The luxurious drawing room and spectacular exterior at Cragside.

WITH THE big day less than two weeks away, households across Britain are busy decorating their Christmas tree and preparing for guests. But spare a thought for those properties where preparations for the festive season are on a grander, and more nerve-wracking, scale.

The National Trust has opened its doors for a behind-the-scenes peek at three of its spectacular festive openings this year at Cragside in Northumberland, Cothele in Cornwall, and Coleton Fishacre in south Devon. The special edition of Hidden Treasures of the National Trust on BBC Two this Friday will unwrap the stories behind the preparations o f these beautiful historic homes and gardens at the most magical time of the year

The Express takes a look behind the velvet ropes of the showstopping rooms where the lights cannot fail, the pine needles mustn't fall, and absolutely nothing can be left to chance...

HIGH UP on the Northumberland moors is Cragside, a Victorian Arts & Crafts style mansion originating from the late 19th century design movement which restored traditional craftsmanship in properties. Wealthy industrialist Lord William Armstrong constructed Cragside in the 1860s and the estate remained in his family until its transfer to the National Trust in 1977.

Each year the Trust’s onsite team takes inspiration from Cragside’s history to prepare a magical festive experience for visitors.

For 2025, they are presenting the first-ever Servants' Ball, a playful revival of a real event held more than 130 years ago. Clara Woolford, property curator at Cragside, came up with the idea after delving into the estate’s past.

“The Armstrongs were famous for their lavish A-list parties,” she explains. “Heads of state and the Prince and Princess of Wales were often guests.