Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Christmas-at-Mottisfont.jpg" alt="Christmas tree in the White Bedroom Mottisfont National Trust" class="wp-image-29244" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Christmas-at-Mottisfont.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Christmas-at-Mottisfont-800x587.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Christmas-at-Mottisfont-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Christmas-at-Mottisfont-768x563.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Christmas-at-Mottisfont-716x525.jpg 716w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The National Trust can always be relied on to ring in Christmas with something for all ages. This year, our Hampshire places are celebrating with some absolutely brilliant themed activities and exhibitions (find out more <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/christmas-national-trust-hampshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>). 



One of the biggest is at <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/mottisfont-near-romsey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mottisfont</a>, near Romsey, a romantic 18th-century house and gallery built around a medieval priory. Spreading the warmth and sparkle of a 1940s Christmas, this knock-out seasonal special features sumptuous decorations, original illustrations from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and a wintry, wardrobe-themed adventure trail. Fancy a visit? Here’s the lowdown on what to expect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-christmas-quest">A Christmas quest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1013" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-trail-map-and-pencil-min-min.jpg" alt="Narnia trail map Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29200" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-trail-map-and-pencil-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-trail-map-and-pencil-min-min-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-trail-map-and-pencil-min-min-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-trail-map-and-pencil-min-min-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-trail-map-and-pencil-min-min-777x525.jpg 777w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Pencils at the ready &#8211; the adventure begins as you step along the bridge and find the first of a series of golden boxes. Inside are letters to note on your beautiful Narnia trail map. Surrounding them are The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe-themed instructions, activities and scenes. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1013" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-House-exterior-at-Christmas-min-min.jpg" alt="Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29192" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-House-exterior-at-Christmas-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-House-exterior-at-Christmas-min-min-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-House-exterior-at-Christmas-min-min-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-House-exterior-at-Christmas-min-min-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-House-exterior-at-Christmas-min-min-777x525.jpg 777w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The first reads: &#8220;You have travelled through a wardrobe to enchanted lands. To a world of winter by a witch&#8217;s hand. To defeat this queen of ice and snow, over rivers and hillsides, you must go. Search for Aslan, the Lion King. Find a cave in the woods for your quest to begin.&#8221; 



Who could resist? Not us, that&#8217;s for sure. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1013" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Millie-fishing-Christmas-trail-min-min.jpg" alt="Girl pretend ice fishing Lion Witch Wardrobe trail Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29194" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Millie-fishing-Christmas-trail-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Millie-fishing-Christmas-trail-min-min-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Millie-fishing-Christmas-trail-min-min-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Millie-fishing-Christmas-trail-min-min-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Millie-fishing-Christmas-trail-min-min-777x525.jpg 777w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Along the path, river and around the grounds we do go, discovering life-sized wardrobes that frame iconic scenes and activities from the story, like ice fishing and a cosy meal at the Beaver&#8217;s hut and knight training and target practice in the wooded cove (beware the flying bean bags and battle-hungry siblings facing off with wooden swords and shields). 



Just outside the house, there&#8217;s a fantastic Insta-op in Father Christmas&#8217; sleigh to look out for. And at the final trail point, the chance to sit on the golden thrones of Cair Paravel. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-house-of-wonder">House of wonder</h2>



Stepping into the entrance of the grand house, a fire is burning cosily and we see the first of the many stunning Christmas trees. We&#8217;re given a special guide that sets the scene &#8211; Mottisfont has been transformed into the stately home of Professor Digory Kirke, where four special evacuee children &#8211; Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy &#8211; have just arrived from London.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1013" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-bedroom-min-min.jpg" alt="Children's bedroom 1940s Christmas The Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29198" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-bedroom-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-bedroom-min-min-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-bedroom-min-min-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-bedroom-min-min-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-bedroom-min-min-777x525.jpg 777w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



First stop is Peter and Edmund&#8217;s room. Mercifully, there are no smelly socks. Instead we find a gorgeous model train chugging around past Mottisfont station. And there&#8217;s a chest with a knight&#8217;s shield and sword, hinting at the amazing adventures that are about to come for the two boys.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="675" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-winter-snow-indoor-scene-min-min-1000x675.jpg" alt="Snowy scene Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29201" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-winter-snow-indoor-scene-min-min-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-winter-snow-indoor-scene-min-min-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-winter-snow-indoor-scene-min-min-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-winter-snow-indoor-scene-min-min-777x525.jpg 777w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Trail-winter-snow-indoor-scene-min-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Mottisfont&#8217;s gorgeous White Bedroom (the girls&#8217; room) has a beautiful Christmas tree with baubles, flowers and pearls. But it&#8217;s through the wardrobe and into the servery where we have our first major &#8216;wow&#8217; moment as we pass the lamp post at the entrance to the frozen kingdom of Narnia (above) 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-feast-decoration.jpg" alt="Candlelit feast Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29243" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-feast-decoration.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-feast-decoration-800x587.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-feast-decoration-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-feast-decoration-768x563.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-feast-decoration-716x525.jpg 716w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



On to the dining room and in the land of perpetual winter, we pose for a quick picture on an icy sleigh beside the beautiful Christmas trees and see a feast gifted by Father Christmas &#8211; frozen by the wicked White Witch (boo).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1013" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Illustration-on-wall-min-min.jpg" alt="Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire Pauline Baines illustration" class="wp-image-29197" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Illustration-on-wall-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Illustration-on-wall-min-min-800x540.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Illustration-on-wall-min-min-1000x675.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Illustration-on-wall-min-min-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Narnia-Illustration-on-wall-min-min-777x525.jpg 777w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Upstairs, on loan from USA, there&#8217;s the complete collection of beautiful artwork by the original illustrator of the Narnia series, Pauline Baynes &#8211; the first time that artworks from the book have ever been exhibited together in the UK. Look out for tea with the Beavers (above), the children meeting Father Christmas and the scary White Witch in her sleigh.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1099" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-room-decorated-min-min.jpg" alt="Lion Witch Wardrobe Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-room-decorated-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-room-decorated-min-min-800x586.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-room-decorated-min-min-1000x733.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-room-decorated-min-min-768x563.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-room-decorated-min-min-717x525.jpg 717w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The final room on the house tour is Mottisfont&#8217;s beautiful Whistler Room. Aslan has triumphed over the White Witch, the children are Kings and Queens of Narnia (above) and all is well. Phew! 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-to-know">Need to know</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1058" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-products-in-shop-min-min.jpg" alt="Gift shop Christmas Mottistont National Trust Hampshire" class="wp-image-29188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-products-in-shop-min-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-products-in-shop-min-min-800x564.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-products-in-shop-min-min-1000x705.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-products-in-shop-min-min-768x542.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/11/Mottisfont-Christmas-products-in-shop-min-min-744x525.jpg 744w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Mottisfont&#8217;s popular Coach House Cafe is open at weekends for hot drinks and lunches. If it looks busy, try the Old Kitchen Cafe below the house where you can also explore the medieval priory. The gift shop at the entrance and exit has some fab seasonal foodie treats (above), worth a look if you need any last-minute Christmas presents.



Mottisfont, near Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 0LP. Tel. 01794 340757, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont</a>.

Inside Mottisfont’s Christmas spectacular

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