Discover more at Cotehele
Find out when Cotehele is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Christmas at Cotehele
Celebrate Christmas with a festive day out to Cotehele. Step into the hall to adore this year's Garland, grab a festive hot drink and enjoy the lights along the path to the mill, join in with a festive sing song by the tree and visit Cotehele Mill for crafts for all the family.
Cotehele’s Christmas Garland
Every year Cotehele’s gardeners build a 60-foot garland from thousands of flowers grown on the estate. A tradition since 1956, the garland adorns the Great Hall throughout Christmas. The number of flowers varies each year depending on the growing season.
Preparations for the garland began in January when the flower seeds are sown in the Cut Flower Garden. Our team of garden volunteers and staff then start picking flowers from late April which are then dried over the summer and autumn before the garland is put together over two weeks in November.
- Building of the pittosporum base starts outside on Monday 9 November from 10.30am-4pm,
- Work then moves inside the hall from Tuesday 10 - Thursday 19 November, 10.30am-4pm,
- See the garland completed in all its glory within the Hall, as well as the Kitchen, Breakfast Room and Victorian Library decorated for Christmas daily from Saturday 21 November - Tuesday 5 January, 10.30am-4pm. (Closed 25-26 December).
You do not need to book to visit Cotehele, for groups with a party size of 15 or more booking in advance is essential. Contact our team to book your group visit to Cotehele this Christmas via cotehele@nationaltrust.org.uk or calling 01579 351346.
Christmas at Cotehele Mill
Follow the festive lights along the stream to find Cotehele Mill tucked within the Morden Valley. The mill will be decorated for Christmas and you’ll be able to discover how families like the Langsfords, who lived at Cotehele Mill, celebrated Christmas in those times.
The doors to the Saddlers, Meal Floor and the Bakery will be open for everyone to peer in and experience the sights and smells of a flour mill at Christmas time. Head to the first floor for toys to play with, costumes to adorn and craft activities to complete.
- Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 21 November - 13 December, 11am-3.30pm
- Open daily from 18 December - 3 January, 11am-3.30pm
Cotehele Mill will be closed on 25 and 26 December.
Festive fun for everyone
Christmas through the Decades Family Trail
Explore how Christmas has been celebrated during the past 70 years of Cotehele's Christmas Garland. Whilst exploring the eight activities around the garden, learn about a 1950s Christmas dinner in a post-rationing Brtain, discover the most popular toy of the 1960s, open the Cotehele advent calednar, create your own Christmas advet and so much more with this family-friendly Christmas trail.
Available every day from 21 November - 5 January (closed 25-26 December). Normal admission charges apply.
Lets Wassail!
On Saturday 19 December from 11am come and join us for our annual Wassail as we attempt to scare away the evil spirits from the Mother Orchard to ensure their is a bumper crop next year. Fancy dress is highly encouraged and don't forget to bring something noisy too. Meet outside Visitor Reception at 11am for the start of the procession which then heads through the garden to the orchard.
Normal admission charges apply.
Search for the perfect gift
Get this festive season merrily underway with our range of Christmas essentials, inspired by the special places we care for. From Christmas garlands to Christmas Eve games, festive tree decorations and luxury Christmas biscuits, find inspiration to make the holidays extra special this year.
Visit the Bull Pen Gallery for unique gifts lovingly made by artists and makers from across the West Country and beyond.
Christmas Treasures of the National Trust
Back in December 2025, Cotehele was featured on the Christmas special of Hidden Treasures of the National Trust. The episode unwrapped the festive stories behind some of the country's most beautiful historic homes and gardens and gave viewers the unique chance to see places prepare for three very different Christmas celeberations.
For six months, film crews went behind the scenes to see the work our team does to create the garland, as well as other work that happens behind closed doors.
Christmas Treasures of the National Trust is a Blast Films production (1x60) for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It was commissioned by Amanda Goodman for BBC Arts. The Executive Producer for Blast Films is Sarah Spencer and the Comissioning Editor for the BBC is Amanda Goodman.
Places to stay at Cotehele this Christmas
Miller's House
A woodland cottage by a stream on the Cotehele estate, near the Victorian watermill and quay.
Cotehele Dairy Cottage
A quiet and luxurious cottage, with access to Cotehele's house and garden.
Hall Court
An apartment in Cotehele’s atmospheric Tudor house, with stacks of historic charm and all-hours access to the gardens, river and estate.
Elbow Cottage
A pretty former gamekeeper’s cottage perched next to woodland on the Cotehele estate.
Malt House
A unique house on the Cotehele estate with a tower room and stylish interiors.
Cotehele Quay Lodge Cottage
This snug gate lodge, perched near the Tamar River on the Cotehele estate, is especially cosy in the evenings when the stove is lit and the shutters closed for the night.