Festive fun in and around the South Downs

Enjoy a traditional Christmas this year across the South Downs. All across Sussex we are bringing festive traditions to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintery countryside. The grand house at Petworth welcomes you to a Georgian Christmas party, with boughs of festive greenery in the showrooms and scenes in the kitchens. Enjoy a walk across a wintery landscape at Saddlescombe Farm collecting greenery, then let your creativity run wild as you make a festive wreath.

A Christmas tree sparkles with lights in the background while a Christmas tree is decorated with baubles in the foreground
Petworth   West Sussex

Christmas at Petworth: festive traditions through time

Spend the 2021 festive season at Petworth, and discover different Christmas traditions celebrated through the years, including Georgian, Victorian, post-war and the future. From period costumes crafted by hand with garden greenery to mystical future decorations, there will be something for all the family to enjoy.

Find out what's on this Christmas at Petworth
Victorian housemaid decorates a mantepiece with Christmas decorations, with Christmas tree in background

Christmas at Uppark 

With Uppark decorated as the Twelve Days of Christmas, there's plenty to do both inside and out. Welcoming back Delicarta with her stunning paper creations and our very own homemade decorations, visit us this Christmas for a magical journey through the house and gardens.

Enjoy Christmas at Uppark
Lit fireplace with Christmas stockings, mantepiece swag and Christmas tree

A Christmas mystery at Hinton Ampner 

Enjoy a Christmas mystery at Hinton Ampner this year. Ralph Dutton’s glamorous 1960's Christmas house party is in full swing but foul play is afoot. Wander through rooms dressed in sparkling vintage decorations and stunning floral arrangements to find out ‘who done it’.

Discover whodunnit at Hinton this year
winter walk at Hinton Ampner Hampshire

Festive walk at Hinton Ampner 

Enjoy a guided walk around the Hinton Ampner Estate with our Head Gardener, John Wood.

Take a festive walk at Hinton Ampner
Wreath making
Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill   West Sussex

Christmas wreath walk at Saddlescombe Farm

Take a festive walk and collect your holly and ivy. Return to historic Saddlescombe farm to make your very own Christmas decorations in our newly opened learning space. Log burning stove, mulled apple juice, mince pies and roast chestnuts will all be included.

Join a festive wreath making walk this winter
Christmas wreath making at Llanerchaeron, ceredigion
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters   East Sussex

Christmas wreath making at Birling Gap

Using locally harvested materials from our habitat management work, make a beautifully individual seasonal wreath for your front door using natural materials and festive fancies!

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Alfriston Clergy House East Sussex Christmas wreath on front door
Alfriston Clergy House   East Sussex

Festive fun at Alfriston Clergy House

The Clergy House and the village of Alfriston are a wonderful place to visit at Christmas time. A perfect place to enjoy a winter walk along the banks of the Cuckmere, shop for gifts, or enjoy a cream tea or warming drink in front of an open fire, there really is something for everyone.

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