CHRISTMAS at Kingston Lacy this year has been inspired by the childhood memories of memories of the Bankes family who once lived at the grand Dorset home.

The children Daphne, Viola and Ralph Bankes' homemade story book Gleanings from Schoolroomland and their mother Henrietta Bankes' lists and letters and Viola’s memoir, A Kingston Lacy Childhood have shaped the Christmas you see at Kingston Lacy today.

Daphne Bankes was born in June 1898, she was the eldest of the Bankes children. Daphne and her younger sister Viola were very close. They were always up to mischief, once spending the afternoon hiding in the stable loft whilst important visitors were being given a tour. The voices of children mysteriously appearing to come from the horses did not amuse their mother. Viola was two years younger than her sister, born in February 1900. Viola had a great imagination and often pretended she was riding her rocking horse through the Wild West. Ralph, the youngest, was born in July 1902. As the only boy, Ralph would go on to inherit Kingston Lacy. He loved cricket and music. One of his favourite past times in the house though was sliding down the marble staircases and starting epic umbrella battles with his sisters.

Recently when rummaging through the storage rooms, the House Steward at Kingston Lacy discovered an album of Christmas cards and postcards sent to the children. In her memoirs, Viola remembers this as one of her favourite parts of Christmas, receiving and replying to good wishes.

Visitor experience officer, Katherine Bundy said: “There are some new traditions that we have added to a Kingston Lacy Christmas this year. If you head down to the exhibition space before Christmas you will find a display of ‘Our favourite things’.

"Chosen by staff, volunteers and visitors, ‘Our favourite things’ are from the collection and brings to life Daphne, Viola and Ralph’s childhood, and yes the cat plates are in the display!

"In addition this year we are opening part of the state room floor for the first time over Christmas, so visitors will also be able to explore rooms that are usually closed to the public in December: the Saloon, dining room and Spanish room.”

“As with any family, Christmas was a special time for the Bankes family and the traditional decorations at Kingston Lacy will delight any Scrooge.”

“You will see the gardeners, conservation assistants and volunteers have worked hard to recreate the greenery of Bankes’ Christmas past. It’s important that the decorations are kept as natural as they traditionally would have been. Every time you visit the gardens, it supports our work, and helps us grow holy, mistletoe and ivy throughout the year for Christmas time.”

Don’t forget to talk a walk through the illuminated garden at Kingston Lacy as well. The annual light display is taking place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays before Christmas and every day between Christmas and New Year. It’s the perfect excuse to get wrapped up and take in the fresh air at dusk, 4pm till 7pm.

For full details on Christmas at Kingston Lacy head to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy.