Get into the festive spirit
From wreath-making workshops and carol concerts to winter illuminations, find Christmas days out near you.
A Cinderella Christmas at Mottisfont
This Christmas, Mottisfont sets the stage for a festive pantomine twist on the classic tale of Cinderella as the house is transformed with theatrical flair and seasonal sparkle. Step into the world of glittering ballgowns, lost slippers and larger-than-life characters at Mottisfont this festive season.
A Cinderella Christmas at Mottisfont
22 November 2025 - 4 January 2026 (whole property closed 24 and 25 December)
Rediscover the magical story of Cinderella, as Mottisfont unveils the tale of Cinders, her wicked step-sisters, her fairy godmother and her charming prince. Collect your timed ticket for the house at Visitor Reception, then head up to the house where fairytale begins.
From the moment you arrive at the ‘Box Office’ to collect your unique Cinderella programme, the story unfolds through beautifully-decorated rooms filled with twinkling trees, theatrical lighting and atmsopheric soundscapes. Explore iconic scenes from the pantomime - from Cinderella’s cosy kitchen and the Ugly Sisters’ flamboyant dressing room to the glittering royal ballroom. Mottisfont’s famous Whistler room is transformed to the palace throne room where preparations for the grand ball are busily underway, aided by a band of mischievous mice. Witness the magical transformation of the pumpkin and mice into Cinderella’s carriage and footmen as you escape into the enchanting worlds of fairytale and pantomime.
Create your own panto name, pose regally on the thrones, write your royal invitation, and dress up for the ball. Outdoors, the fun continues with themed games and interactive stations - perform your own panto on a Cinderella-themed stage or hop into the carriage for a perfect photo opportunity. And don’t miss a stroll through our twinkling Winter Garden – the perfect place for your happily ever after.
Meet Mama G
To launch the start of 'A Cinderella Christmas' at Mottisfont, fabulous pantomime dame, Mama G will be dropping by to say hello to visitors. Details of dates and times of Mama G's appearance will be published shortly. No booking required.
Cinderella Story Time
Join professional storyteller, Merry-Go-Round to redicover the magic of Cinderella with a lively, interactive performance. From kitchen to ballroom and wicked stepsisters to fairy godmothers, this timeless tale will engage children from age 6+.
£2 per child with one accompanying adult free. Advance booking, which is essential for this popular event, will open shortly.
Cinderella storytime will run on Tuesday 25 November, Thursday 4 December and Wednesday 10 December; check back for times..
Christmas crafts for tiny tots
Join in with simple, seasonal, self-led activities aimed at pre-schoolers while you explore the gardens. Use natural objects gathered from Mottisfont's garden to make Christmas items to take home - perfect as decorations or for gifting.
Meet our Mini Adventure volunteers to get started on the activities and pick up any items you need. These events run 10.15-11.45am and are included with the normal property admission.
Thursday 27 November: Make a stick reindeer
Wednesday 3 December: Make stick stars
Friday 12 December: Make a pine cone Christmas tree
Planning your visit: 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 Cinderella-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 does not apply to the car park, gardens or family trail.
The tickets are available from 10am on the day you visit. No pre-booking is required. The house opens at 10:30am, with the last entry at 3:00pm. 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 don't 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, dressed as the wicked step sisters' bedrooms, with design your invite and fancy dress. For visitors who are unable to access the top floor, activities will be made avaible for them. Please get in touch with the property should 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 11am and 2pm, 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.
You might also be interested in
Eating at Mottisfont
Treat yourself to a warming hot drink and a tasty snack at one of our cafés after enjoying the autumn garden.
Shopping at Mottisfont
Discover a delightful range of local products, from handcrafted soaps and hand creams to unique jewellery and locally-sourced beverages. The plant centre features a seasonal selection, including winter plants and vibrant spring bulbs to brighten up your garden. For book enthusiasts, the second-hand bookshop at Mottisfont offers a wide range of genres too.
Family-friendly things to do at Mottisfont
Mottisfont offers a fantastic family day out, with something for everyone. As well as the wild play area, scenic river and meadow, there are specially-designed activities for pre-schoolers and exciting events every school holiday. Enjoy perfect picnic spots, delicious treats from our cafés, and convenient baby-changing facilities - all in a beautiful, welcoming environment.
Visiting Mottisfont with your dog
Mottisfont is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs on a short lead are welcome to explore most of the garden.
The garden at Mottisfont
Enjoy every season at Mottisfont, with its ancient trees and babbling brooks, from rich autumn foliage and the scented Winter Garden, to spring bulbs and, of course, the world-famous Rose Garden.
