Christmas around Hampshire

Christmas at our historic houses around Hampshire celebrates the festive traditions we love about this time of year. From hand-made decorations, sparkling lights and fresh winter greenery, to walks through gardens and countryside transformed into beautiful winter landscapes. Uppark's servants invite you to a Victorian country house party, and Mottisfont's show rooms reveal colour-rich scenes with traditional and contemporary twists. All our places have new festive family trails.

Every view you enjoy, stocking filler you buy and treat you tuck into helps us look after these special places for the future.

Man dressed as Victorian butler hanging wreath on front door

Uppark 

Lady Fetherstonhaugh has just hosted one of her famous Christmas parties. Peak into the dining room to witness the celebrations, before coming 'below stairs' to find out how the servants are celebrating. You’ll discover life-size paper mannequins and plenty of sparkle, whilst outside, our family trail takes kids on an adventure into the world of Victorian festive foods. 2 – 31 December, trail £2.

A Victorian servants' Christmas
Assorted gold-coloured Christmas decorations on white mantelpiece

Mottisfont 

Mottisfont is filled with colour-rich festive scenes, brimming with traditional and contemporary decorations. You’ll find statement Christmas trees, piles of presents and dramatic flower arrangements. Outside, artist installations emphasise the gardens’ natural winter colours. Families can discover these on our outdoors activity trail, full of things to create and do. 25 November – 2 January.

All the colours of Christmas
Miniature glass domes filled with decorations, on a desk with library shelves behind

Hinton Ampner 

This Christmas, Hinton Ampner's show rooms reveal scenes from classic fairy tales like Cinderella and Rapunzel. Alongside the sparkle are magnificent displays created by Hinton's volunteer florists, plus our famous miniature mice in fancy dress costumes. An outdoor activity trail has 25 fairy tale secrets to discover, hidden behind Advent Calendar boxes. 2 – 23 December, £2 per trail.

Discover Christmas fairy tales
Rudolph leads the way.

The Vyne 

Father Christmas is trying to park his sleigh, but the reindeer and elves are up to no good, and he has to negotiate our rooftop walkway first. Follow our Father Christmas and Friends trail (for children and adults) to find out what happens. On the walkway you’ll find panoramic views of the estate, which you can explore on a our woodland walk. In the mansion's chapel a unique soundscape captures the emotive sounds of a Tudor Mass. 1 December – 2 January

Christmas at The Vyne
Putting the finishing touches to the tree

Winchester City Mill 

At Christmas, this cosy working watermill is beautifully decorated with plenty of sparkle. Our new family bauble trail challenges kids to hunt out favourite Christmas traditions (16 - 24 Dec). Stir our giant Christmas pudding (26 Nov) as our volunteer bakers show you how to make a variety of fruity puddings. We're hosting festive baking days with recipe cards to take away (10 & 16 Dec), plus there's carol singing too (16 Dec).

Family festive fun at the Mill
Close up of Chrismas bauble decorated with holly decoupage images

Sandham Memorial Chapel 

In the lead up to Christmas, this tranquil little chapel is also a haven of creativity. A wealth of craft workshops offer decoupage, papercraft and wreath-making, including a children’s decopatch session. Guided tours reveal Sir Stanley Spencer’s epic chapel murals, plus there’s winter poetry and festive bell-ringing too. Chapel is open Fri-Sun until 17 December. Events on set dates.

Discover Christmas at Sandham
Close up of big Christmas wreath on front door

Mompesson House 

At ‘The Christmas House’ you can find out how Mompesson’s previous inhabitants celebrated the festive season, right up to the 1970s in the library. Beautiful floral and winter foliage decorations dress parts of the house, and you’ll find delicious mince pies and mulled wine in the drawing room. There's a fun festive trail for kids too. 25 November - 17 December, Thurs to Sun only.

Discover Christmas past