RESIDENTS and visitors are being invited to enjoy a host of festive activities at a Wrexham National Trust site.

Whether you're looking to create magical memories or escape the bustle of the high street, Erddig’s Treemendous Christmas trail and festive programme of events is set to captivate young and old alike.

Discover trees in different shapes and sizes from miniature forests made of gingerbread to an avenue of stars next to the garden orchard and uncover hidden Christmas trees along the outdoor trail.

With an emphasis on art and craft, the historic hall’s decorations celebrate traditional skills from the past, inspiring scores of local artists to create this year’s displays.

From volunteers baking gingerbread and crafting winter foliage to professional artists carving contemporary trees and sculpting willow, the creative team has pulled out all the stops to deck the hall.

Explore the house below stairs to find miniature forests crafted from gingerbread and paper. Pick up a copy of a former Erddig Cook's recipe for gingerbread and marvel at the intricate paper craft trees inspired by former servant's artwork, Betty Rattcliffe.

Unusually, Betty’s artistic talents were encouraged by the Yorke family who even commissioned display cabinets to showcase her work.

Outdoors, visitors are invited to write their Christmas wishes on tags to decorate a special tree, then collect a willow star and gather together family and friends to help the historic hall create an avenue of stars in Erddig’s 13.5-acre walled garden.

The team is hoping that families take time out to enjoy a walk together through a unique and growing installation created by willow artist, Mai Thomas who will craft hundreds of willow stars for visitors to plant in the garden.

Visitor experience manager Anne Kurdock said: “Mai is a very talented artist and she immediately understood what we were trying to achieve.

"Christmas is an important time to create special memories with loved ones and the avenue symbolises this."

Within the shelter of the historic walls, discover festive installations, a giant wreath crafted by Senior Gardener, Helen Eardley and a carved Christmas tree trail hidden along the garden paths created by Volunteer Chainsaw Carver, Ian Williams.

The Christmas Treemendous Trail opens on Saturday, November 30 and closes on Sunday, January 5.

There will also be a chance to meet father Christmas by joining him for breakfast or supper in Erddig’s Hayloft restaurant.

Booking is essential and tickets for non-members includes access to the house below stairs and garden.

Erddig's reverse grotto returns once again, so visitors are invited to say a quick hello to Father Christmas and enjoy the gift of giving by leaving a donation for the local Wrexham foodbank.

There’s a small treat to say thank you to everyone who donates.

Father Christmas will be in the reverse grotto at weekends only, but donations will be welcome at other times too.

Visitors can also join a centrepiece-making workshop and let Erddig’s gardeners guide them through their selected cuts of foliage and decorations to create something special to take home this Christmas.

For pre-bookable events, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/Erddig/whats-on