Get into the festive spirit
From wreath-making workshops and carol concerts to winter illuminations, find Christmas days out near you.
A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas at Mottisfont
Magic comes to Mottisfont this Christmas, as we invite you on a fun and festive adventure into the much-loved tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. The house is transformed with sparkle and theatrical flair, lights and laughs as you journey from a towering beanstalk to a castle in the clouds. But be careful; can you hear the fe-fi-fo-fum?
'A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas' at Mottisfont
21 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
Magic comes to Mottisfont this Christmas, as we invite you on a fun and festive adventure into the much-loved tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. The house is transformed with sparkle and theatrical flair, lights and laughs as you journey from a towering beanstalk to a castle in the clouds. But be careful; can you hear the fe-fi-fo-fum?
Meet Jack, Dame Trott and Pat the Cow as you follow our hero on his journey to Giantland. There are lots of distractions on the way - nip into Jack’s Giant Adventure Outfitters to get kitted out for a selfie. At the Magic Bean Company you can create your own magic bean with ridiculous side effects, and in Fleshcreep’s HQ you’ll find this evil henchman’s menacing ‘to do’ lists. Spot the stolen treasure from Merrydown Village!
Alongside the pantomime scenes are thousands of twinkling decorations, including magnificently dressed Christmas trees.
Festive outdoor games
Outside, the gardens are filled with hilarious challenges. Rescue the Golden Goose’s eggs from Fleshcreep and return them to giant nests. Can you repair the Giant’s torn underpants before he notices? Dame Trott’s School of Pantomime will help hone your ‘He’s behind you!’, booing and mooing skills. The Merrydown Beanometer reveals if you’re a garden pea or the next giant, plus you can help Jack grow a new beanstalk by aiming magic beans into giant plant pots.
Capture family memories
There are lots of wonderful moments to capture funny family memories; pose as a Christmas pudding or a Brussels sprout in our Giant’s festive feast selfie board, and perch beside the Giant’s beanstalk as it twirls skywards. For very young visitors there are Christmas cows in seasonal outfits to spot, and in the stable yard kids can add a leaf, bean or flower to Jack’s magical beanstalk – come back again to see how it’s grown over Christmas!
Festive treats for everyone
Round it all off with a delicious hot drink and a mince pie - or something more substantial after all that playing - at one of our fantastic cafés.
Meet Pantomime Dame, Mama G
Larger-than-life Pantomime Dame, Mama G, is welcoming visitors during the launch weekend on 21 and 22 November. Come and say hello, and pose for a pic with this colourful character.
Christmas storytime
Join professional storyteller Merry-Go-Round to hear the magical tale of Jack and the Beanstalk and other festive favourites. These live performances will engage children aged 2-8 years.
These events are free (normal admission applies) but booking is essential as places are limited. Click on the links below to reserve your place.
Christmas storytelling dates
Monday 23 November- Jack and the Beanstalk
Friday 27 November - The Gingerbread Man
Wednesday 2 December - Jack and the Beanstalk
Thursday 3 December - Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Monday 7 December - Elves and the Shoemaker
Tuesday 8 December - Jack and the Beanstalk
Wednesday 16 December - Bring Back the Sun, a winter solstice folktale
Thursday 17 December - Jack and the Beanstalk
Plan your visit
Important information
- There's no pre-booking for 'A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas' but, when you arrive, head to the Visitor Entrance to collect your timed entrance ticket for the decorated house.
- From 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, the house will open at the earlier time of 10.30am so as many people as possible can enjoy the spectacle. Last entry to the house is 3.15pm.
- Afternoons tend to be quieter times to visit than mornings.
- The whole site will be closed on 24 and 25 December.
What you need to know
Entry: Normal property admission price (free for National Trust members, Art Fund members and under-fives). If you’re with a carer or essential companion, they visit for free. For group visits (of 15 or more see our group visits page for more information).
Timed tickets: To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all visitors during the festive season, we will be operating a timed ticket system for House visits only to avoid overcrowding on busy days.
How to get a ticket on the day: To visit the Jack and the Beanstalk-themed Christmas inside the House, it’s essential to pick up a timed ticket from Visitor Reception upon arrival. These tickets apply only to the house and do not apply to the car park, gardens or family trail.
The tickets are available from 10.00am on the day you visit. No pre-booking is required. The house opens at 10:30am, with the last entry at 3:15pm. The Visitor Welcome team will assign you the next available time slot on arrival at Visitor Reception, which you hand in to the House team when it’s your time slot to enter the house.
Visiting the house: Please arrive at the house entrance within the half-hour time slot stated on your ticket, as we are unable to accommodate early or late arrivals. This helps us to ensure a smooth flow of visitors and avoid congestion or delays for others.
When to visit: Christmas can be a busy time at Mottisfont, especially during the holidays. Mornings tend to be busier than afternoons. If you have the flexibility, a weekday visit is generally quieter than a weekend, even during school holidays. If you can only visit over the weekend, Saturdays are usually less busy than Sundays.
As Christmas is very popular, you may need to queue to view the decorations inside the house.
Parking: There's free parking in the car park next to the Welcome Centre, including accessible spaces. Please note that our car park surface can become uneven and muddy, particularly during periods of bad weather. Our car park can fill quickly on our busiest days, so you may need to queue; in extreme circumstances we may have to close the car park to allow spaces to free up. Please do not park in the village or on nearby verges.
Accessibility: Inside the house, as well as the ground level showroom floor, two rooms on the top floor of the house will be open as part of the Christmas offer, with 'design your own magic beans' and fancy dress. Activities will be available for visitors not able to access the top floor. Please contact the property if you wish to discuss access arrangements.
Toilets and changing facilities located at the entrance and at key points around the grounds. Buggies/pushchairs welcome in the gardens, but not in the house – please be prepared to leave these outside if going inside. Ramped or level entrances into the Welcome Centre, cafés and house. Gently-sloping areas and wide pathways around much of the grounds, which can be uneven and muddy in places during winter: sturdy footwear is recommended. Volunteer-driven mobility buggy service available.
Refreshments: drinks, snacks and light lunches with festive and family-friendly options are available from our cafés and additional outlets. Our cafés are busiest between 11.00am and 2.00pm, so you may need to queue at these peak times. If you’re looking to get a quick bite to take away, we recommend popping in before peak lunch hour to avoid the crowds.
Dates and opening times
Find out more about at Christmas at Mottisfont 2026
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