FAMILIES can explore Christmas traditions of the past while making hanging tree decorations or stocking fillers as part of two workshops taking place at Lydiard Park.

The first session entitled Peg Dolls and Pomanders takes place on Sunday and will describe how families prepared for Christmas in Victorian times.

There will also be a chance for people to make their own items to hang on their tree at home, including a fragrant pomander, made with a clementine, cloves and ribbons, a peg doll nutcracker soldier or angel and traditional decorations using orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

The activity takes place in the Coach House Activity Centre, next to the Tea Rooms, between 11am and 2pm. No booking is required. The cost is £1 per decoration made and children must be accompanied by an adult.

On Sunday, December 22, the session is entitled From Past to Presents and looks at what children in the past found inside their Christmas stockings, while exploring some of Lydiard’s collection of games and toys from times gone by. Children will also have the opportunity to make their own stocking fillers. There are workshops from 11am to noon, noon to 1pm and 1pm to 2pm.

The cost is £5 per child and booking is required. Call Lydiard Park on 01793 466 664 or email lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk to book your place. Children must be supervised by an adult.

The family workshops accompany the traditional display of Victorian-style decorations within Lydiard House. Visitors can enjoy the Country House display until December 29.