National Trust: Mottisfont's Cinderella Christmas opens for visitors

The National Trust venue near Romsey is a popular destination for families all year round, especially at Christmas.

This year, the house team has put on a Cinderella Pantomime-themed display, and it does not disappoint.

The celebrations opened on Saturday, November 22, with special guest panto dame Mama G showing people around the house, which has been decorated inside and out.

Each room has been transformed into a different interactive scene from the film, including Cinderella's room, in her Wicked Stepmother's house and the amazing ballroom.

Mottisfont House in Hampshire (Image: Newsquest)

Senior programming and partnerships officer and Christmas lead at the house, Sue Laws, explained how it all came together.

She said: "We wanted to do something that was fun. Life is a bit tough at the moment for all of us, so it just needed to be fun and enjoyable.

"We wanted to make something that is not just for children, but for everyone who visits. The panto theme has given us an in to put in some jokes for the adults.

"It's a theatrical house, so this year with panto, we wanted to use the theatrical backdrop again.

"We know that because we have been doing Christmas here for a while, we are a part of some people's traditions for Christmas."

Visitors enjoying the Cinderella story (Image: National Trust)

A Cinderella Christmas at Mottisfont is open now and will run every day, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, until January 4.

Sue said the planning for the event takes almost the whole year.

"We give ourselves some time off in January to take the previous year's down, and then from February, the planning will start, and we will start designing," she said.

"But it is September when the work really kicks off, and we start to get very busy. We are closed for three weeks to set it all up, and then it is open, so it is a busy schedule."

Visitors start the experience at the house entrance, where they will enter Cinderella's room in the loft with all of her mouse friends.

Then you move on through the rooms to a giant throne room, where visitors are encouraged to sit and have their pictures taken.

Each room is intricately decorated and includes activities for children, such as dressing up as a prince or princess, creating your royal name, and enjoying the ugly sisters' Tinder profiles.

For the opening few days, the house was visited by pantomime dame, Mumma G, who came to entertain and welcome people to the festivities.

The throne room (Image: Newsquest)

Sue expressed how important all of the volunteers were in the process.

She said: "We could not have done it without all of our amazing volunteers. It's a huge team effort, and we have around 400 volunteers who come and help and give us ideas.

"They are the visitor-facing team at the end of the day, so it is important that they enjoy it as well.

"We are also trying to make it accessible for everyone. Once you enter the house, there is nothing else to pay for; all of the activities are free, and we are also putting on free activities before the schools break up as well."

You can book a time slot to visit the house in person, and it is free entry if you are a National Trust member.

Sue said: "It's colourful, and it's fun; to look at it fills me with joy. It is cheeky and glamorous, and we want people to have a smile on their faces when they see the sparkles and joy we have created."