Christmas at Penrhyn Castle

Between Thursday and Sunday from 27 November until December 21 and again from December 27 to January 1, Penrhyn Castle will be opening its castle doors for the festive season.

There’s plenty to do over the festive period, from taking in the beautifully decorated stately rooms to enjoying a wreath-making workshop, watching a performance about local history to finding the woodland animals making their home in the castle, watching a magical storytelling session to going on a behind the scenes tour.  

The decorated halls at Penrhyn Castle

Take a tour around the striking castle with a festive twist this year. The Pennant family who owned Penrhyn Castle during the Victorian era spent a few Christmases in their country house in North Wales. Step back in time and discover Christmas on display in all its Victorian splendour.

Find the impressive Grand Hall has been turned into a winter wonderland with trees, twinkling lights and music. As you explore the Library, the Drawing Room and the Ebony room, you’ll find the lavish rooms have been traditionally decorated to reflect the Victorian traditions that once took place in these rooms.

Find the ornate Grand Staircase even more decorated than usual as a towering Christmas tree takes centre stage. Be inspired the art and portraits in the Breakfast Room and pose for your own framed Christmas selfie. In the Dining Room, the table is set ready for a Christmas feast, whilst the Victorian Kitchens are filled with festive scent as preparations are made for the occasion. These rooms are a feast for the eyes at the best of times, and even more so over Christmas.

Children’s Woodland Animal Spotter Challenge

Visiting with younger ones? Look out for the handmade woodland animals that have made their way into the castle. As you wander through the rooms, find the mice, rabbits and hedgehogs enjoying the festive scenes.

Don’t miss the Butler’s Pantry where you can make your own Christmas cards before the Christmas period, or a thank you card if visiting after Christmas Day.

Wreath making and flower arranging workshops (December 12 and 19)

Feeling inspired by the festive scenes? Join Floverly in some festive flower arranging sessions at Penrhyn Castle. Get your house ready for Christmas with two sessions to choose from. On December 12, create a festive wreath for your door, or join the session on December 19 to create a floral centerpiece for your dinner table. Tickets are £35 a head, booking is essential.

Book your place on the Wreath-making workshop here.

Book your place on the floral centrepiece session here.

Discover local festive history (December 6)

It’s December 1901 and the castle is abuzz with activity as the kitchen staff prepare for the festivities. Gwen the kitchen maid is busy at work but can’t help but think about her family back home in nearby Bethesda. Her brother, a quarryman, is heading into the second year of the Great Penrhyn Quarry Strike and his family’s Christmas will be very different to the usual…

Join us for this immersive experience on December 6 with our actor in residence to learn about Christmas traditions at Penrhyn Castle and the comparison with the reality of life during the Great Penrhyn Quarry Strike of 1900-1903, the longest industrial dispute in British history. There will be bilingual performances in the Victorian Kitchens throughout the day.

This is a NHLF-funded collaborative project between the National Trust and the National Slate Museum.

Magic in the castle (December 13 and 14)

Looking to add even more magic to your visit? Why not join us over the weekend of 13 and 14 of December to meet the magician Jay Gatling in the Library? Be prepared to get head scratching as you watch the impressive slight of hand and mind-bending trickery.

Children’s storytelling sessions with Siwan Llynor (December 12)

We’re excited to share that Siwan Llynor will be returning to the Grand Hall this year for magical storytelling sessions following on from the success of last year.

On 12 December be transported into the world of winter fairies and magic through song and drama. Siwan Llynor has years of experience in creative community engagement and performing for babies and young children. 

There will be a session in the morning at 11am and another in the afternoon at 1:30pm. There is no need to book, and the session will be included within the standard entry price.

Behind the Scenes Tour – Alice Douglas-Pennant’s life

On Thursdays and Sundays, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the rooms that aren’t open to the public at Penrhyn Castle through the lens of Alice Douglas-Pennant’s life. Explore the nursery where she spent her early years, and the King’s Bedroom where she was banished when her father found out she had fallen in love with a gardener. You’ll also get the chance to see some of the collections not currently on display in the Textiles Store and Drawing Store.

Tour times are:

• 10:30am
• 11:30am
• 1:30 pm
• 2:30pm

The tours cost £5 and can be booked on arrival on a first come, first served basis. These tours are dependent on volunteer availability so we cannot guarantee a space before arrival.