Christmas at Anglesey Abbey

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It’s nearly Christmas again and I’m not quite sure how another year has gone by. Christmas is one of my favourite times of year, and as always my last post before the main event is a little bit of festive, little bit of reflection.

I’d planned a couple of Christmassy trips prior to the big day this year (a London Christmas lights visit, Winter Wonderland and a Christmas lights walk at Sandringham), but didn’t get to do them as I was knocked for six with the new COVID variant. That left me with just one trip I’d managed to squeeze in before being taken out – to Anglesey Abbey.

Anglesey was once a monastery, founded in the 1100s and yet again dissolved by Henry VIII and his havoc. After it was shut down in 1536, it was converted in to a Jacobean house which was lived in until 1966 when it passed to the National Trust.

The house in all its glory

Today the house is open to the public, and it’s one of my favourite stately homes to visit to see the interior Christmas decorations.

The entrance to the main house


It had been raining for days, but on the day of my visit the sky was a beautiful blue with the sun shining, although deceptively so as the air was still bitterly cold. It was one of those days where the wind is so biting your nose turns red and your fingers feel numb, but the photos look like you could have basked in the sun.

I arrived to the gardens and started off with a beautiful woodland walk around the trails – there are huge grounds here and I followed a 45 minute round route. It was really striking in the light with it shining through the trees.

Blue skies

After blowing the cobwebs away it was time to take a peak inside the house. I absolutely love seeing houses ‘dressed’ for Christmas, and it always gives me a nice, warm festive feeling. Anglesey’s decorations are some of my favourite, with the dining room being particularly special. I loved the cosy displays and couldn’t help but ‘ooo’ at some of the trees.

In the Hallway

After visiting inside, I decided I’d walk another of the marked trails before heading home. This time I decided to do the river walk up to Lode Mill. The sun meant the reflections in the water were truly stunning and I couldn’t help but smile to myself at how beautiful everything was. Solo walks are really good for my soul, always giving me time to think, plan, and take time out.

Incredible reflections

After spending my entire morning exploring, I headed to the restaurant for lunch and then drove home. As always with a bit of time to myself, I reflected on Christmas.

I find the Christmas season is often a reminder for all of us of what we don’t have, and I think we can often idealise how we might spend Christmas if it were perfect. I envision myself in a family with 2 children and an idealised notion of how happy we’d be. I’m sure others imagine it abroad somewhere, or with absent family members, or with people who have left their mark on us but are long gone. I think sometimes this can mean we don’t appreciate what we have today because really that’s all any of us have. I’m so very lucky to be able to spend Christmas with my parents and my husband, to see my friends, to enjoy calm and peace in a house that is a true home. Living in the moment and not idealising is freeing – because one day the ‘today’ could well be what we idealise, and by then the reality may have already passed us by.

I hope whatever you’re doing, whomever you’re with, where ever you are – you enjoy your Christmas and can find happiness in the today, whatever it looks like for you. Merry Christmas everyone.

40 responses to “Christmas at Anglesey Abbey”

  1. Christmas at Anglesey Abbey looks outstanding, Hannah! Love the architecture, inside and out. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, my friend! 🙂 🎄

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    1. Thanks Phil – and to you too, have a wonderful day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. What a magical place! Sorry to hear you were knocked out with COVID, but you still got to visit a stunning place like Anglesey! Happy holidays to you, Han. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s OK, I’m slowly getting there day by day and should be OK for Christmas I think. Happy Holidays to you too Rebecca 🙂

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  3. I visited Anglesey Abbey a couple of years ago and loved it, so it’s great to see it all decked out for Christmas. So sorry to hear you had Covid, so many people seem to have been knocked out with it recently. Hope you’re feeling better now. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 🙂

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    1. It’s a beautiful place isn’t it, and I love the effort they make at Christmas time 🙂 Happy Christmas to you too.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. A wonderful place, Hannah. The tree with brown paper packages reminded me of the song. Great thoughts about Christmas and life.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s a beautiful place which got me feeling all festive 🙂

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  5. A lovely Christmassy post Merry Christmas Hannah! Maggie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Merry Christmas Maggie to you and your loved ones.

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  6. Such a festive and reflective post! I would adore visiting this house and seeing all the decor. You are right that Christmas can be a hard time of year, and we also forget that we used to dream about having what we do have now. Hope you have the merriest Christmas!! Who would’ve thought Covid would still be a pain in 2023! Jon just had it and my parents have it now.

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    1. Urghh COVID has really knocked me this time, I’m so gutted I’ve missed out on the festive build up. But oh well, at least it wasn’t worse and I’ll be recovered in time for the day itself. Have a wonderful Christmas too Lyssy 🙂

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  7. Anonymous

    I love Anglesey Abbey! I enjoyed reading this.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. What a lovely way to spend a pre-Christmas day. Wishing you are very Merry Christmas. Mel

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    1. Thanks Mel, and a very happy Christmas to you too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I would love to visit a stately home all dressed for Christmas. The Abbey looks wonderful. Merry Christmas 🎄

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    1. Thanks so much, these houses are always done so nicely for Christmas. Have a great Christmas too 🙂

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  10. Lovely sentiments to go along with a lovely home. Merry Christmas and glad you’re feeling better after your illness.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you – and have a wonderful Christmas too 🙂

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  11. Anglesey Abbey looks beautiful Hannah. So sorry that you missed out on your other planned pre-Christmas activities but happy you are well again now. Happy Christmas ! Marion

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    1. I’m feeling a lot better thanks Marion, although the Christmas build up this year has definitely been a write off!

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  12. A very tender and beautiful reminder about enjoying this time of year (and a beautiful place to see) for this reflective and special time of year. Merry Christmas Hannah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much Meg, and Happy Christmas to you and your family too 🙂

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  13. Anglesey Abbey looks like the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon, and beautifully decorated as well. I’m sorry to hear that you had COVID; I hope you made a complete recovery. Merry Christmas Hannah!

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    1. I’m slowly getting there, I will be better for the big day tomorrow but haven’t managed to do much the past couple of weeks. It looks like you’re having a blast back in the US – Happy Christmas to you and your family 🙂

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      1. I hope you have a restful and relaxing holiday, and feel better soon.

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  14. Merry Christmas, Hannah! Glad you squeezed in one festive outing before you got sick and I hope you’re feeling better!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too Diana – have a fab day 🙂

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  15. Hope you are feeling better now, Hannah!! Happy Holidays!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you – and Happy Holidays to you too 🙂

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  16. Have a lovely Christmas Hannah. XXXMarie

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    1. Thanks Marie, and to you and your loved ones too xxx

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  17. love Christmas decorations inside. I’ve visited it years ago, but only the grounds and the mill since the house was unfortunately closed. Happy holidays!

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  18. This looks like a beautiful house which is even more charming during the holidays with all the Christmas decorations. Hope you had a happy Christmas!

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    1. It was very festive and cosy. I had a lovely Christmas thank you, and I hope you did too 🙂

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  19. Ha, it truly looks like a pretty sunny day, so it’s hard to believe how cold it was! Your forest walk is beautiful (I also love the sun shining so beautifully through the trees). Oh, and the Christmas decorations in the house are beautiful. It’s always good to have a little reflection on one’s life – we do this regularly when we walk. That’s then that I usually realise how much I have to be grateful for (instead of thinking what I don’t have … and don’t need).

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  20. Wise words, Han. Hope you had a magical Christmas and wish you nothing but happiness for the year ahead.

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    1. Thanks Mike and same back to you.

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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