Christmas at Lacock

Storytime with Mother Christmas

The Servant's Hall was transformed in 2023 into a cosy Christmas grotto. Mother Christmas took a break from her busy schedule (she works very hard behind the scenes you know!) to share a story, song and gifts from Father Christmas' present sack. New to 2023 were sell-out Toddler Time sessions, aimed at under 5s.

Christmas in the courtyard

Father Christmas always parks his sleigh in the Courtyard (perhaps he's partial to a cream tea from the Courtyard Tearoom?) so you can take a festive snap with the willow reindeer.

The Tudor Bakehouse was transformed for 2023 into a pop-up mail room ready to deliver your Christmas post to the North Pole. Did you have a message for Father Christmas this year?

The Great Hall at Christmas

25th November - 24th December

Whilst the rest of the house is closed for the annual deep clean, the Great Hall ire-opened for the Christmas period, with traditional decorations and an impressive tree which always makes a great backdrop for a festive selfie.

Community Christmas Tree Festival

One of Lacock's best-loved traditions returned in 2023 with a display of Christmas trees decorated by local community groups, charities and schools, all displayed in the Cloister.

2023s theme was 'Light Struck' inspired by the current exhibition in the Fox Talbot Museum by artist and photographer, Ellen Carey. Each community group was tasked with with incorporating as much light, colour and creativity into their decorations as possible. Visitors could scan a QR code or complete a voting slip to vote for their favourite.

Family Reindeer Trail

From November 25 2023 you could pop into Visitor Reception to collect a reindeer trail (£2) and follow the reindeers around the village and abbey grounds. The trail continued the theme of light and colour, inspired by the aurora borealis and provided a magical, colourful adventure.

Seasonal food and drink

During a day of sight seeing and gift shopping in the village, the Stables Café has seasonal specials for all the family . The Courtyard Cafe by the abbey will be open weekends and during the school holidays, with craft packs available with purchases for anyone wanting to add their own decoration to a Lacock tree.

Christmas shopping

2023 saw the return of Lacock’s pop-up Christmas shop to the Manger Barn from 18 November - 3 December; the perfect place to pick up a stocking filler or festive treat. Find tasting sessions and meet the maker events on select days.

There are some charming independent shops in the village, including a National Trust Gift shop, so a day at Lacock provides a perfect opportunity to tick gifts off your list every year.

The second-hand bookshop in the Courtyard is also always a good shout for the bookworms in your life, open every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) with all kinds of books on offer, from biography to cookery, fiction to sport.