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Christmas in London and the South East
Add a little sparkle to your festive days out in London and the South East this Christmas. Discover houses dressed to impress, enjoy winter illuminations after dark, and find the best places to meet Father Christmas with all the family.
Christmas 2024 has now finished at our places across London and the South East
The below information is for Christmas 2024. We hope you enjoyed all that we had to offer. Please check back here closer to Christmas 2025 when you will see updates of all the exciting plans we have in store for you.
Family days out this Christmas
This information is from Christmas 2024, when we brought festive traditions to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintry countryside across London and the South East.
Christmas at Nymans: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Step through the wardrobe into Narnia at Nymans this Christmas. See the house decorated as the Professor's home, go through the wardrobe into the world of Narnia and peek into the Beaver's burrow and Mr Tumnus' cave. Upstairs see the witch's castle, while out in the garden get together with friends and family and have a go at The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe family trail designed by TIN SHED scenery.
A Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont
23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Experience the magic of The Nutcracker at Mottisfont; as sparkling trees, music and light effects bring the story to life, with frosty wonderlands, twirling Sugar Plum Fairies, and a family adventure trail.
A Christmas Masquerade at Polesden Lacey
23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate Christmas in style at Polesden Lacey with family and friends. See the extravagantly decorated house styled as a Christmas masquerade ball, ride on the Christmas carousel and enjoy festive food and shopping.
Shaun the Sheep™ – Find the Flock at Winkworth Arboretum
23 Nov - 19 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure at Winkworth Arboretum this festive season. We’ve teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring to life Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ with a Christmas trail around the Arboretum. Come and find twelve super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists. With fun games, children's carousel, engaging activities and delicious winter treats from the tearoom, a visit to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas will be an unforgettable day out for all ages (selected dates for some activities).
The Snowman™ at Sheffield Park and Garden
30 Nov - 12 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Families are invited on a festive walk, re-living the magic of Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming picture book. Look out for twelve decorated sculptures of The Snowman™, along a winding wintry path, past beautiful lakes and trees. Games and activities add to the festive fun, then warm up with hot chocolate and mince pies in the cafe. On 7, 14 & 21 December 2024 The Snowman™ will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day, perfect for family photo snaps.
Christmas at Hatchlands
1-31 Dec (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Soak up the magic of Christmas at Hatchlands this winter. Inspired by the carol ‘I Saw Three Ships', look out for nautical touches in the beautifully decorated rooms in the house, and enjoy family activities on the festive parkland trail.
An enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner
16 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Hop on a Christmas journey with us and discover the house brimming with bright Christmas colours, sparkling lights and charming festive scenes. From the world of the Ice Queen to a Woodland Ball and a Gingerbread Village there is surprise and delight around every corner. Don't miss the North Pole Workshop where our mini Santa Express train is delivering the toy parts to the elves! Christmas elves are busy making toys & games – and getting in a muddle!
A Nordic Christmas at Hughenden
25 Nov - 3 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate a Nordic Christmas at Hughenden, drawing inspiration from the time-honoured traditions of Northern Europe, where the enchantment of long winters is celebrated with warm light amongst the beauty of nature. With references to Norse Gods, fairytales, and traditions of the Arctic and Nordic regions in both the manor and garden. Outside, the adventure continues with a Nordic fairy tale, family trail. Set a date to meet family and friends at Hughenden to come together in a cosy Christmas setting and make lasting memories.
Christmas houses dressed to impress and festive traditions from times gone by
Get together with friends and family and experience the joys of Christmas at a National Trust place near you. Step inside beautiful historic houses glistening with festive decorations, twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Catch up over hot chocolates, venture outside for frosty walks or head to the cafe to warm up and tuck into delicious seasonal dishes.
A Christmas spectacular at Petworth
30 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Step into a festive wonderland at Petworth House to see showstopping trees, twinkling lights, beautifully adorned garlands and floral displays this Christmas. Explore eight of the historic showrooms dressed for Christmas and look out for some playful mice hiding amongst the display. There will be photo opportunities, and a chance to add your wish to a tree in the Chapel. Free with usual admission. Plus Christmas choirs, festive Maker's Market and lates (selected dates only for some activities).
Christmas at Chartwell
23 Nov-23 Dec (dates vary for some activities). From Christmas markets to live carol music, wreath-making workshops to a festive family garden trail, plus the lavishly decorated house to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas 2024 at Chartwell. With so much to celebrate, you’ll want to come back to Chartwell again and again this holiday season.
A Christmas frost at Knole
23 Nov - 23 Dec (closing early on 4 Dec at 2pm). Discover sparkling trees and decorations in the showrooms, inspired by Knole’s silver collection. Then follow Knole’s wintery trail around the parkland. Lift flaps and open doors to find 12 Christmas poems along with beautiful festive illustrations.
A Merry Medieval Christmas at Bodiam Castle
30 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). For 2024 at Bodiam Castle, discover Christmas medieval-style. See the castle decorated with natural foliage and greenery, listen to a stories in the castle and take part in a Christmas trail.
Cover to cover: Christmas at Scotney
23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). 'Curtain Up: Christmas at Scotney' starts on Saturday 23 November. Other favourites returning this year include bookable Christmas lunches in the Stables tea-room, 'Late Nights & Lights' events, family-friendly seasonal outdoor trail, and our North Pole letter-writing station, popular with older and younger visitors alike. (Dates vary for some activities).
The Jungle Book Christmas at Bateman's
Until 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). This Christmas, discover the animals from The Jungle Book swinging, climbing, hiding and jumping around the house. Christmas trees throughout the house will be adorned with lights and hand-crafted decorations.
Find a Christmas day out near you
There's a jam-packed programme of events running at our places across London and the South East, whether you're looking for a fun-filled family day out, or a place to enjoy Christmas decorations and festive traditions with friends. Celebrate the season at a National Trust place near you.
Christmas in Kent
Check back later to find out about what we'll have on in Kent for Christmas 2025. Have fun on new family trails with games, activities and festive characters. Keep an eye out for visits from Father Christmas himself on select dates and locations too. There are magical late-night openings, lights events and festive fairs. And it goes without saying that our cafés and tea-rooms will be filled with warming treats and Christmas lunches. Discover what's instore at National Trust places this Christmas in Kent.
Christmas in Surrey
This Christmas we're bringing festive traditions to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintry countryside in Surrey. There's festive family fun, themed trails, glittering decorations and twinkling Christmas trees. Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure with Shaun the Sheep at Winkworth Arboretum, celebrate Christmas in style at Polesden Lacey where the Edwardian house will be dressed for a Christmas masquerade ball, and soak up the beautiful decorations at Hatchlands, this year inspired by the Christmas carol: I Saw Three Ships.
Christmas in Sussex
Discover the festive traditions we're bringing to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintry countryside for Christmas 2025 in Sussex.
Christmas in and around Hampshire
Filled with sparkle and a spot of magic, our historic houses are the perfect places to get into the true spirit of Christmas. Against a backdrop of glittering Christmas trees and twinkling lights, you’ll discover favourite fairytales and festive pantomimes, from Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast. There’s loads for families to see and do inside and out, plus festive foodie treats and gorgeous gifts.
Christmas around Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
Our National Trust places in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire have the essence of Christmas all wrapped up in a beautiful package of gorgeously decorated houses studded with Christmas trees and twinkling with fairy lights. It’s the perfect backdrop to festive family memories.
Christmas in London
Enjoy the sparkle of Christmas across London with family activity trails, frosty walks around historic estates and seasonal treats this Christmas.
Christmas traditions from history
Christmas traditions from history
From silver charms in Christmas puddings to early Advent calendars, learn more about the ways our Roman, Victorian and medieval ancestors prepared for the festive season.
You may also be interested in
The Nutcracker at Winkworth Arboretum: Saturday 29 November to Sunday 4 January
This Christmas, discover the magic of the Nutcracker at Winkworth Arboretum. Follow Clara’s footsteps through the winter woodlands, uncovering storybook scenes and meeting life-sized nutcracker sculptures. Enjoy festive games along the trail, then warm up with seasonal treats from the tearoom. Don’t miss the vintage carousel for the perfect festive day out.
A Cinderella Christmas at Mottisfont
22 November 2025 - 4 January 2025: experience Cinderella with a fun pantomine twist at Mottisfont this Christmas. Wander through scenes straight from the panto – from the warm, bustling kitchen to the dazzling drama of the royal ballroom – all brought to life with a sprinke of fairy godmother magic.
Stamped and Sealed: Christmas at Hughenden
A joyful Christmas of twinkling charm, inspired by the joy of festive wishes to loved ones, it’s the perfect backdrop for making treasured Christmas memories with family and friends.
Christmas at Polesden Lacey 2025
Visit Polesden Lacey this Christmas for a magical experience. Explore the glittering '12 Days of Christmas' displays in the house, join the storybook trail or simply join us for a winter walk. Dates: 3 December – 2 January. Normal admission fees apply.
Christmas
Whether you want to make your own Christmas wreath, visit Father Christmas or enjoy winter illuminations at a historic location, we've plenty of festive events and things to do at the places in our care. Plan ahead for a festive day out this year.
