Visitors will be taken on a magical festive journey around the house, complete with beautifully decorated Christmas trees, shepherds and their sheep, snow and sleighs. There will even be an opportunity for some dressing up! Children can enjoy angel-making in the Vestibule, drumming with the Little Drummer Boy and brought back for a third year, the popular ‘Wish Tree’ will be appearing in the Grotto for visitors to hang their Christmas wishes.

Wintery street scenes from Bethlehem will allow guests to literally step into the carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ will be depicted by huge hanging bells in a spectacular replica church belfry in the North Sub Corridor. ‘Silent Night’, ‘Good King Wenceslas’ as well as many other favourites will also be part of this visual celebration of classic carols.

...beautifully decorated Christmas trees, shepherds and their sheep, snow and sleighs

Local school children have offered a helping hand in supplying the finishing touches to Chatsworth’s Christmas spectacular. The children’s creative talents were put to use creating stars for the windows in the Chapel Corridor, decorating a stained glass ‘window’ behind the belfry on the North Sub corridor, making peg angels, and even cooking up salt dough food for the Great Dining room table.

There’s lots more for visitors of all ages to enjoy this Christmas at Chatsworth, including an extra special opportunity for children to take part in a traditional Nativity at the Farmyard, starring real animals. Children can dress up and be involved in the performance or sit back and watch with mum and dad.

The children’s creative talents were put to use creating stars for the windows in the Chapel Corridor

Daytime performances will be held twice daily on December 3, 4 10, 11, 17 and 18. Places are on a first come, first served basis and there is a small charge in addition to Farmyard entry. Children aged two and under are free. Alternatively there are special evening performances on 3, 10 and 17 December. Places for these must be booked by calling the Booking Office on 01246 565430.

Back by popular demand, the Chatsworth Christmas market weekends promise to be bigger and better than before with over 100 stalls offering a wide range of seasonal foods and inspiring gift ideas for family and friends. This year the markets will be held on 11-13 and 18-20 November 2011 and a £2 parking charge applies.

The House will be open for Christmas from 5 November to 23 December 2011. The park is open every day during daylight hours and the restaurant and gift shops will stay open throughout the winter.

For more information on all the events happening over this Christmas period, visit their website.