The Best National Trust Places to Visit Near York this Winter

North Yorkshire, a county rich in historic houses and landscapes to explore with family and friends. Some dressed for Christmas, others open longer to make the most of bank holidays. Grab your big coat and boots and wrap up for quality time together this season.

Treasurer’s House - city centre

In the heart of the city yet often described as an oasis of calm, this beautiful town house can be found right next door to York Minster. Meander through period rooms dressed for Christmas, discover beautiful and unique decorations and twinkling lights. The Gift of Giving is the theme for the year, celebrating Mr. Frank Green's incredible gift of his home and collection to the charity. Other rooms shine a spotlight on past residents and share their stories and key moments in history.

Head downstairs to the café for a tempting treat or round the corner to the high street shop to make the most of your visit.

Treasurer’s House is open Saturday – Wednesday, 11am – 4pm, until 18 December.

Plan your visit.

Beningbrough – 8 miles north of the city

Follow the new winter experience around the garden with generations of memories. Grab your calling cards for Comings and Goings and uncover the varied and fascinating stories of the people who have shaped Beningbrough and called it home over the centuries. Discover new, never been told before stories from the latest research, voices from the past and other interactive elements. Younger members of the group won’t miss out as past residents, Mildred and George, lead the family trail.

The restaurant is open for a warming lunch or grab a drink from the brew house for your garden wander. Don’t miss the wilderness play area with swings, slides, climbing frames and den zone.

Beningbrough is open 10am – 3.30pm on winter weekends except 24 & 25 December. Also open on 26 & 27 December, 31 December, 1 & 2 January.

The hall and galleries remain closed for ongoing conservation work.

Plan your visit. 

Nunnington Hall – near Helmsley

Visit Nunnington Hall this Christmas for a festive journey back though time. See how Christmas celebrations and decorations have evolved over the centuries from indulgent feasting with the Georgians, the arrival of the Christmas tree with the Victorians, to the glitz and glamour of the roaring 1920s.

Explore a trail of children’s toys from Christmas’ past, and a chance to see what local schoolchildren think Christmas in the year 3000 will be like. Stop by the café to enjoy a festive treat, and a hot drink before visiting the gallery to see Art for Christmas - a showcase exhibition of work by local artists.

Nunnington Hall is open Friday – Sunday, 10.30am – 4pm, until 18 December.

Plan your visit. 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden – near Ripon

The season of sparkles has arrived. Christmas is the perfect time to see the abbey glow as the annual Music and Lights events light up the dark afternoon skies each weekend from 19 November. As twilight falls see the ruins illuminated with colour and join in with the live choirs and bands filling the ruins with festive music.

In January, wrap up warm and spend a day exploring the wintery landscape. The glittering stonework in the abbey reveals new textures and the icy ponds in the water garden bring an even deeper feeling of stillness to this special place.

Fountains Abbey is open Saturday-Thursday, 10am-4pm throughout winter.

Plan your visit.

Promotional blog written by The National Trust