We’re busy preparing for our Christmas display in the stables at the moment. Our theme at Uppark this year has been the 18th-century Grand Tour. In the summer we presented Grand Tour Flowers – a stunning floral celebration of this once educational rite of passage for the well-heeled – by bringing colour from the garden into the house.

For Christmas our thoughts have once again turned to travel so we’ve gone for The Owl And The Pussycat as the theme. It seems timely because a new book, The Further Adventures Of The Owl And The Pussycat, written by Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson, has recently been published, so we have even more wonderful creatures to draw on for inspiration. It needs to be good because my two young nieces are confirmed visitors – no pressure there!

One of my garden team is a former sailor so this nautical theme is perfect. We’ve sourced a lovely dinghy that is white and really needs to be pea-green, so that’s one challenge we have to overcome. The boat will be our “waiting room” for excited visitors eager to see Santa in his grotto. Children will be able to step on board before their all-important meeting with the great man himself. We’ve got some lovely children’s activities planned too: we’re inviting youngsters to be either an Owl or a Pussycat by making masks in our craft workshop.

We’ll be using plenty of materials from the gardens. I’ve told my team we need to a make a Bong tree. “What’s one of those?” asked my colleagues. “It’s whatever you want it to be!” was my reply. It’s that time of year and I love it! Happy Christmas to you all and I hope to see you at Uppark soon.

Christmas at Uppark

Uppark is now closed, and re-opens on the dates below:

  • Uppark is open on December 1, 7, 8, 15 and 22 from 11am to 3pm. Father Christmas visits take place on December 1, 7, 15 and 22, from 11am to 3pm, £3.50 for adults, £5.50 for children, including a gift.
  • Wreath-making workshop: December 5, 10am to 2pm, £25, includes tea/coffee and biscuits and a mini tour of house. With optional two course lunch, £40.
  • Festive culinary skills workshop: December 11, 10am to 3pm, £25, includes tea/coffee and two-course seasonal lunch, plus jar of homemade chutney.
  • Winter lecture lunch: Christmas plants – folklore and medicine: December 12, 10.30am to 12.30pm, £25, house closed.
  • Christmas carols from Chichester University Choir: December 17 and 18, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. £12.

Uppark House and Garden, South Harting, Petersfield. Call 01730 825415 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark