If you have visited Swindon's Lydiard House during December in recent years, you will know that the Victorian Christmas decorations, created by floristry students from Wiltshire College at Lackham, are a real delight, writes Sarah Finch-Crisp, keeper of Lydiard House.

This year, especially for small children, the Lydiard teddy bears are dressing up for the occasion and can be spotted around the house in their tinsel finery.

The state rooms are decked in traditional greenery from the park. Mistletoe and Christmas trees trimmed with sweets, hand-made paper decorations and toy soldiers transform the elegant setting. Willow wands and feathers provide some of the more unusual displays while popery and dried spiced fruit fill the house with a real Christmas scent.

Hot drinks, chocolate logs and delicious mince pies are available in the entrance hall and there are plenty of stocking fillers to choose from in the gift shop.

Entry to the house is free for under fives, adults: £1.20, under 15s: 60p. There is no extra charge for the sesonal entertainment. The house closes at 4pm every day. Call 01793 770401 for further information.