Avebury Manor is beginning to look a lot like the sort of home we’d all like to have at Christmas.

But the National Trust got in first, buying it 20 years ago, and once again they are opening it up for the public to come and see and envy.

The sixteenth-century pile, originally built by William Dunch, has been occupied by many different families in its history and the Trust has decked out eight show rooms open to the public to reflect the different time periods based on the stories of the people who lived there.

Past years have depicted the story of Saint Nicholas, Christmas through the ages and displays based on popular carols. This year the National Trust have turned to the theme of colour.

“Our team of dedicated volunteers have worked for many hundreds of hours to create a magical, festive experience for everyone visiting Avebury Manor,” said a Trust spokesman.

“All the displays are hand-made to the highest standards and evoke a real sense of craftmanship and enjoyment in the smaller details – a contrast to the commercially focussed Christmases of our times.”

Christy, who has been volunteering for the team for the last four years says “We feel really lucky to be on the Christmas team at Avebury. Every year the plans are so imaginative and creative, and we get all the fun of bringing them to life.”

Each of the rooms will be decorated with a different colour; with a crystal-white winter theme in the 1930s Keiller Parlour, the Tudor Parlour will be decked in reds and oranges, the Georgian Dining Room will have a striking hand-made blue and purple life-sized peacock, evergreens will adorn the Billiard Room and a replica manor made of gingerbread will be the centrepiece of the Edwardian Kitchen.

“The attention to detail in the rooms is something the team are very proud of – a great deal of time can be spent on something quite small and subtle, and this is what sets the experience apart from many other places,” said the spokesman.

Hazel Barry-Scott, Senior Visitor Experience Officer, who planned this year’s theme, explained: “Every year it takes many hundreds of hours to bring the Christmas displays to life. The dedicated Christmas team are an incredibly talented group of volunteers and I’m in awe of their craftmanship.

“From fine beadwork on a Tudor heart to giant holly leaves that once covered the ceiling of our kitchen corridor, no task is too small or too great for them.”

The manor is open for Christmas to the public every Thursday to Sunday until the January 2 (closed Dec 24, 25, 26). More information can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury