After the year we've all had, we're working hard at Scotney Castle to ensure that there's Christmas cheer for everyone to enjoy, whilst keeping visitors safe. We'll be hosting our Victorian Christmas in the house as the Hussey Family would have enjoyed, with atmospheric low lighting, twinkling lights and traditional decorations on festive trees.
Due to the current circumstances, we've had to adapt our Christmas offer and this has meant a few changes on property, as well as introducing an online booking system. We'll be opening the house for longer than usual to increase our ticket capacity, as we'll need to ensure visitors are spaced out at a safe distance. We'll also be asking visitors to sanitise their hands, social distance and register their track and trace details before entering the house. Please note there may be a queue to enter the house, as we need to ensure visitors are spaced at a safe distance as they follow our one-way route around the ground-floor only display.
If you wish to visit Scotney, including the decorated house, this festive period you will be required to book online for each member of your party, as we only have a limited number of tickets available.
Please note that Father Christmas won't be visiting us this year, but we'll be hosting Peter Rabbit™ and his friends for a wintery trail in the garden. Due to the limited capacity seating available, our tea-room is unable to serve their delicious Christmas lunches, but will be open every day with hot drinks, cakes, hot meals and seasonal treats available.
For more information please see our FAQs below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are you open over winter and Christmas?
We are open every day except for 24, 25 and 26 December. From Monday 2 November our opening times are as follows:
Garden 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm)
Tea-room 10am-4pm
Shop 10am-4pm
Estate walks 10am-4pm
House (open Sat 5 Dec-Sun 3 Jan) 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm)
2. Will the house be decorated for Christmas?
This year the mansion house will be decorated from Saturday 5 December - Sunday 3 January, 10am-4pm. Celebrate the Victorian Christmas that the Hussey family would have experienced. Enjoy the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, see the children's toys and games and view the dining table, set ready for Christmas lunch. We'll have a one-way route in place on the ground floor. We won't be opening any upstairs rooms this year.
Last entry will be at 3pm. Tickets must be booked online prior to visiting. Please enter the house within the arrival time slot indicated on your ticket. Please note there may be a queue to enter the house when busy.
3. Will the decorated house be accessible?
There is an access lift available to the ground floor of the mansion house, which is operated by trained staff. Please inform a member of the visitor entrance team on arrival if this facility is needed.
4. Is there a children's trail in the garden?
From Monday 23 November – Sunday 3 January our festive family trail will be available around the garden. Join Peter Rabbit™ and his friends to locate the various activity stations and learn more about rabbits, hedgehogs, mice and more of your favourite countryside creatures. A trail pack costs £2 and contains a booklet, pencil and reward at the end for little ones who unravel the clues. Available to purchase at the garden entrance. Card payment only.
5. Is Father Christmas visiting?
Father Christmas will not be visiting Scotney Castle this year. Due to social distancing rules we don’t feel that we can create a personal experience for each child with Father Christmas.
We hope to welcome Father Christmas back in 2021.
6. Are you serving Christmas lunches?
Due to social distancing restrictions we won't be serving Christmas lunches this year. We will be open daily 10am-4pm serving hot drinks, snacks and seasonal treats.
7. What will be available in your Christmas shop and when?
We already have a fantastic range of Christmas gifts, decorations and cards in our shop.
8. Will you be having carol singing?
Due to social distancing rules and restrictions, we won't be hosting any carol singing this year.
9. Are you running any workshops?
Due to social distancing rules and restrictions, we won't be hosting any workshops this year.
