Wightwick Manor proves a hit for festive visitors

Tradtionally Wightwick Manor has shut to the public on the last Sunday before Christmas Day and reopened in February. But at the start of last year it extended its opening hours all year round as part of a move by the National Trust, which runs the site, to encourage more visitors.

Today bosses at the Victorian manor house revealed almost 200 people visited the site on Christmas Eve and more than 1,100 visitors dropped in between Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Lynn Hawthorne, learning officer at the Grade II-listed house, said: "We had no idea what to expect and it was a really pleasing experience for us.

"We obviously proved very popular and we chatted to people as they arrived and they said they were glad that they had found somewhere that was open where they could have a walk around with their family."

Staff at the venue have also today announced plans to open a new plant centre at the site in the Spring for visitors who are inspired by the gardens.

The manor has seen a number of new attractions open in recent months, including new £400,000 tea rooms, as it enjoys a boom in visitor numbers.

A Christmas shop was opened for the first time which bosses said was a "roaring success" with a 103 per cent upturn in takings. Manager, Alison Jones said: "I was delighted with how well-received the new shop has been. Visitors commented that it really got them in the mood for Christmas."

The space will soon be turned into a traditional National Trust shop. The manor will also appear on television next week, with the first of four filmed segments being shown during Bargain Hunt on BBC1 at 12.15 on Monday.