Skip to content

Christmas at Knightshayes 2023

A room dressed for Father Christmas, with lit fire. Decorated Christmas tree is the corner with presents piled underneath and toys ready for wrapping
Father Christmas office | © National Trust/ Tony Cobely

Sweeping garlands, showstopper trees and shimmering lights – why not make Knightshayes one of your Christmas Traditions?

Festive family fun

Meet Father Christmas

Father Christmas returns to Knightshayes this December. Our traditional green suited Father Christmas will be telling stories of the North Pole and giving gifts to all good children.

  • Weekends from 2 - 17 December, then daily 18 - 23 December.
  • £12.50 child, admission price included.
  • Adults normal admission applies
  • Booking essential

To book Father Christmas for weekends in December, click here.

To book Father Christmas for Christmas week, click here.

Craft Activity

Father Christmas' elves will be running craft activities as part of your visit to Father Christmas.

  • Craft starts at 10:30 and finishes at 15:30

Christmas Opening

Christmas is full of magical moments at Knightshayes. Be transported back in time as you explore the ground floor of the house decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas. Enjoy the return of Winter Lights on select dates in December, via an illuminated route through some of the most special places in the formal garden.

Stain glass window with Christmas green garland and red bows
Christmas garland window | © National Trust/ Tony Cobely

Decorations

Wander the ground floor of the house. The trees are up, gifts piled beneath, and fairy lights twinkle from the garlands. The house is open daily between 2 December - 1 January (closed 24, 25 and 26 December)

1 of 4

Festive food and drink

Off for a stroll around the gardens? Pick up a hot drink and snack to keep your hands warm, from hot chocolates with all the toppings to warming teas. Or warm up with a light bite for lunch in our stables cafe.

Festive shopping

Housed in the Victorian stables, the shop is a warm and inviting space brimming full of gift ideas, tasty treats and children's toys. Filled with exlusively designed ranges, inspired by our special places, you're bound to find the perfect gift.

The exterior of the house at Knightshayes with the garden in front

Discover more at Knightshayes

Find out when Knightshayes is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Autumn trees, flowers and plants in autumns golden light
Article
Article

Visiting the garden at Knightshayes 

Step into the formal and woodland garden at Knightshayes in Tiverton, Devon, which is divided into eight separate areas plus a walled kitchen garden.

Evening sunlight on the front of Knightshayes on a blue sky day
Article
Article

The history of Knightshayes 

Delve into over 200 years of history at Knightshayes. Discover the Heathcoat-Amory family history, how the house and garden was designed and developed, and Knightshayes’s sad connections with the Second World War.

A path cuts through the forest on the Douglas fir walk at Knightshayes, Devon
Article
Article

Exploring the estate at Knightshayes 

There are acres of parkland to discover at Knightshayes. It's a great place for the whole family to explore with room to roam with plenty of hidden corners to discover.