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Dresser in the Dining Room decorated for Christmas
The Dining Room at Standen dressed ready for Christmas | © National Trust / Lawrence Perry

Christmas in Sussex

This Christmas 2023 we're bringing festive traditions to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintry countryside in Sussex.

Top Christmas days out in Sussex

Three giant nutcracker soldiers standing guard at Nymans in West Sussex
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A Nutcracker Christmas at Nymans 

Sparkling Christmas trees, colourful scenes and giant Nutcracker soldiers bring this enchanting adventure to life at Nymans, 18 November - 1 January. Costumes from Matthew Bourne’s dance production Nutcracker! are on display in the Gallery. In the house discover ‘The Land of Sweets’ complete with sumptuous sweety banquet decorations. A trail in the garden takes families through the magical world of the Nutcracker. House open daily 11-3.30pm, (closed 24 & 25 Dec).

Children on the sleigh at a Christmas trail
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Christmas and New Year at Sheffield Park and Garden 

Discover our new outdoor trail Mouse & Mole at Christmas Time, based on the children's Christmas book, 1 December - 2 January. Find inspiration as you follow our Making Trail around the garden featuring traditional Christmassy crafts. Look out for festive photo stops brimming with twinkling lights and cosy Christmas joy. Plus wreath making workshops, carol singing and more.

Huge decorated Christmas tree in background on black and white chequered marble floor. Green wooden sleigh with foliage reindeer in front. Foreground left is a large floral arch
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Christmas at Petworth House 

Celebrate Christmas with a tree-mendous visual display at Petworth House, 25 November – 1 January. The Marble Hall has been transformed into an enchanted winter garden. Continue through the rooms to see showstopping trees decked with colour and sparkle, inspired by Petworth’s magnificent collections. The historic kitchens reveal a tempting dessert display, with playful mice hiding. Free with usual admission. Plus Christmas choirs, festive Maker's Market, workshops and lates.

The dining room at Standen decorated and ready for Christmas
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All I Want for Christmas at Standen 

Step inside this imaginatively decorated Arts and Crafts home at Christmas, atmospherically lit and filled with twinkling lights and festive Christmas trees. Then gather the family all together for a festive fun trail around the garden. 18 Nov – 1 Jan: 11am–3.30pm, free with usual admission. Plus join Spun Glass Theatre and enter the world of Betwixmas, a place of festive make with clowning, puppetry and music. An interactive experience for all the family. £12.50 (child incl gift). Selected dates 25 Nov to 23 Dec. 

Portico entrance at Uppark decorated with wreath and Christmas trees for Christmas, West Sussex
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Christmas at Uppark House and Garden 

Explore a traditional Christmas at Uppark, 18 November - 31 December. Feel the thrill of glitz and glamour upstairs in the house where we welcome you in with twinkling Christmas trees. Whilst downstairs is all about the hustle and bustle of preparation, think citrussy scents and bottles of champagne.

Sleigh and decorated Christmas tree at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
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Christmas at Bodiam Castle 

Enjoy a magical Christmas at 14th century Bodiam Castle, 25 November - 1 January. With trees lining the courtyard, twinkling lights all around and atmospheric tower rooms, immerse yourself in the festive spirit. You’ll find Father Christmas’ sleigh in the courtyard, live Christmas music, a new festive family trail, crafts and storytelling. 10am to 3pm (closed 24 & 25 December). Selected dates only for some activities.

Paper village snow scene with Christmas tree twinkling in background
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A Writer’s Christmas at Bateman’s 

See Bateman’s house dressed for a traditional Christmas, 18 November to 1 January. With real Christmas trees, fresh floral displays, twinkly lights and golden decorations inspired by Rudyard Kipling and his writing. See if you can spot the paraphernalia of Kipling the writer - the manuscripts, typewriters, fountain pens, spectacles, and ink wells that were the tools of his trade - creatively displayed around the house in all its magical Christmas finery. Head out into the garden for a new family trail inspired by the Kipling family Christmas. (Closed 24 & 25 December).

House reflected in the mill pond at Bateman's, East Sussex

Discover more in Sussex

Sussex is a place of iconic coastline, gardens, literary greats, rolling South Downs, vast art collections and a castle.