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?

Knightshayes by light

The Winter Lights return to Knightshayes! Explore the Formal Garden and see the house in a different light. Fairy lights illuminate the route and along the way you will see trees and plants lit up in different colours, peer down into the Pool Garden with its glitterball, and look up at the house from the fountain to see the Victorian Gothic architecture in colourful light.

The ground floor of the house is also open and lit up with Christmas lights. See the sparking Christmas tree in the Great Hall, watch the train set run around the Drawing Room and hear Victorian ghost stories in the Billard Room.

The Winter Lights are on Friday and Saturday evenings until 23 December, 4-7pm, and is included in National Trust membership or standard admission tickets to Knightshayes.

the house at Knightshayes illuminated by Christmas lights — The house lit up with Christmas illuminations | © Steve Haywood

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.

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.