Discover more at Chartwell
Find out when Chartwell is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Christmas at Chartwell
From Christmas markets to live carol music, wreath-making workshops to a festive family garden trail, plus the beautifully decorated house to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy for Christmas 2025 at Chartwell. With so much to celebrate, you’ll want to come back to Chartwell again and again this holiday season.
Create Christmas memories at Chartwell
Join us at Chartwell as we celebrate a Christmas inspired by Sir Winston Churchill’s love for animals. From cherished pets and exotic creatures to farmyard favourites, enjoy delightful decorations with different animal themes this Christmas season.
Christmas shopping
Christmas Fair at Chartwell
Thursday 20–Sunday 23 November 2024, 10am–4pm
Get into the holiday spirit at the Chartwell Festive Fair. Let our stallholders inspire you to find the perfect Christmas gift from amongst an exciting selection of handmade crafts and local produce. You can enjoy browsing the stalls under the cover of a marquee. The market is free to attend, but normal admission charges or National Trust membership applies if you would like to visit to the gardens, grounds, exhibition room and studio.
The Christmas Fair at Chartwell.
Don’t forget to visit the shop at Chartwell, it’s one of the largest in the National Trust and includes your favourite Churchill and Chartwell souvenirs, including a wide range of products featuring Jock the cat. Every purchase you make helps us to care for the nature, beauty and history that surrounds us here at Chartwell. Open daily, 10am–4pm.
1 of 3
Christmas music at Chartwell
Christmas carols and concerts
We are delighted to welcome singers and bands to bring the magic of Christmas music to Chartwell this season. Wrap up warm and head over to the grounds hear Christmas carols with friends and family. Sing along if the festive mood inspires you. (Normal admission applies.)
Sunday 23 November, 12–1pm
The Oxted Band return to perform classic and unique arrangements of brass band favourites. Enjoy the festive tunes before or after browsing the stalls at the Christmas Fair.
Saturday 29 November
Penshurst Brass return to Chartwell after their wonderful VE-Day 80 concert earlier this year.
Saturday 6 December, 2.30–3.30pm
Kemsing Singers perform classical and contemporary arrangements of favourite Christmas carols.
Saturday 13 December
West Kingsdown Guitar Group are a returning favourite from Christmas seasons past. Enjoy music and singing from this local group which includes Chartwell volunteers.
Saturday 20 December
A Capella is a small choir from Edenbridge bringing contemporary, traditional and lesser-known carols to Chartwell.
Find out more about Christmas Carols at Chartwell.
Christmas crafting
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Wednesday 26 November, Saturday 6 December, 10am–12pm and 1–3pm
Get creative this Christmas. Let our expert florist guide you through the step-by-step process to make your own luxury Christmas wreath using natural foliage. All materials, tuition, refreshments, and entrance to the garden at Chartwell are provided as part of the course fee. Pre-booking is essential, check availability for your preferred date and time.
Christmas Table Centrepiece Workshop
Wednesday 10 December 10–11.30am and 12.30–2pm
Another opportunity to get creative this Christmas with a workshop led by an expert florist. Make your own stunning Christmas Christmas table centrepiece using natural foliage. All materials, tuition, refreshments, and entrance to the garden at Chartwell are provided as part of the course fee. Pre-booking is essential, check availability for your preferred date and time.
Christmas decorations in the house
Self-led visits
Friday 28 November 2025–Sunday 4 January 2026 (except Christmas Eve/Christmas Day), 11am–3pm with last entry at 2.30pm
Chartwell's Christmas theme for 2025 is Sir Winston Churchill's love for animals, from pets to poultry, exotic creatures to local wildlife, discover a marvellous menagerie.
As you explore the house, look out for decorations inspired by the delicate butterflies Churchill raised and released in the gardens and the golden fish he fed in the ponds. Don’t forget Jock, the marmalade cat whose tradition continues as the 7th adorable feline in comfortable residence at Chartwell. What other animals will you discover on your visit?
Throughout your visit, our knowledgeable room guides will share stories of Chartwell Christmases gone by and children will enjoy a family-friendly spotter activity.
Entry into the house is by timed ticket, available on the day from the Visitor Centre on a first come first served basis. Normal admission applies.
Churchill’s Animals: Christmas Guided tour
2–23 December 2025, weekdays 10.15–11am and 10.30–11.15am
For a more personal experience of the House at Christmastime, join one of our expert volunteer guides on a tour of selected rooms which are decorated for Christmas. Discover more about Churchill’s pets and other animals at Chartwell as well as Chartwell Christmas traditions.
Spaces are limited to 12 per tour and must be pre-booked (additional fee applies). Upon arrival to the Chartwell Visitor Centre, you will need to buy a Garden and Studio ticket in addition to the tour ticket. This will allow you to visit the gardens and studio after the tour. (Children under 5 do not need a ticket).
When to visit
The Christmas Season starts at Chartwell with the Christmas Fair (Thursday 20–23 November 2025, 10am–4pm) and Christmas carols performed in the grounds at the weekend. Enjoy live festive tunes before or after browsing the market stalls. Normal admission applies if you would like to enter the gardens and grounds.
Then it's not long before selected rooms of the house will be open and specially decorated for Christmas. Explore the house on self-led visits from Friday 28 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 (except Christmas Eve/Christmas Day), 11am–3pm with last entry at 2.30pm. House tickets for self-led visits will be available from the Visitor Centre on the day. Normal admission applies.
Guided tours run on selected dates, Monday–Friday, 2–23 December at 10.15–11am and 10.30–11.15am. There is an additional fee for guided tours. Pre-book tickets online. Normal admission also applies.
Chartwell is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Family Activity Trail at Chartwell: Jock saves Christmas
Thursday 20 November 2025–Sunday 4 January 2026
Garden activities are available 10am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm). House opening times are 11am–3pm (last entry 2pm).
Join Jock on a wintertime adventure to help save Christmas for the Churchills at Chartwell. Take part in activities in the gardens and grounds. Continue the festive fun in the house with the animal-themed decorations to enjoy.
This year’s trail runs daily from the first day of the Chartwell Christmas Fair, Thursday 20 November to the final day of the Christmas season, Sunday 4 January 2025 (except for Christmas Eve and Christmas date when Chartwell is closed). Normal admission plus £3.50 per trail including a prize.
How to join in the Christmas adventure
Purchase a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre. If you would like to go into the house during your visit, please also request a timed-entry House ticket from the Visitor Centre. House tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, and you will be offered the next available timeslot when you purchase your tickets.
Find out more about family-friendly visiting tips as well as places in the grounds for imaginative adventures in our article about visiting Chartwell with family.
Christmas food and drink
Stop by the Landemare Café during your visit to Chartwell for tasty treats, hot lunches, light bites and snacks as well as hot and cold drinks. Bring a reusable cup to take away a winter warmer for a garden stroll or Christmas carol performance.
The café is in the main car park across from the Visitor Centre. Dogs are welcome in Lady Soames Room which adjoins the main café and is accessed via a side door.
Check the menu on the day of your visit for festive flavours and seasonal specials.
Winter walks
If you’re looking to blow the cobwebs away, head out on a crisp winter walk around the frost-covered gardens or wider estate and enjoy misty views over the weald. The grounds are open daily 10am–4pm excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Ranger guided walk
Tuesday 9 December, 10.30–12.30
Chartwell’s Area Ranger will guide participants on a 2-hour loop walk around the Estate at Chartwell. Learn about the flora and fauna of the area and the conservation work that rangers do at Chartwell and in the West Kent Countryside. Limited availability, pre-booking essential.
Find out more and check availability.
Parking
Please remember to pay and display for parking or scan your membership card at the machines. For assistance, please ask at the Visitor Centre.
Find out more about bus services, alternative parking as well as nearby places to help make the most of your day.
You might also be interested in
Eating and shopping at Chartwell
From tasty treats and hot and cold dishes, to souvenirs, gifts and Churchill memorabilia, you'll be spoiled for choice in the Chartwell café and shop. Why not treat yourself?
Visiting Chartwell with your dog
Chartwell is a three pawprint rated place. Bring your four-legged friend along on a short lead for a stroll around the garden or go for a roam in the woods. Find out more about where you can and can't take your dog.
The estate at Chartwell
Chartwell’s estate and surrounding countryside offers far-reaching views across the Weald. Walk in the footsteps of one of our founders Octavia Hill when you explore Mariners Hill.
A Georgian Operatic Christmas at Quebec House
For Christmas 2025, you are invited to celebrate an operatic Georgian Christmas at Quebec House in Kent. Soak up the atmosphere of an 18th century operatic experience. Glimpse the world of the opera through miniature and life-sized scenes set out in the rooms of the former family home of General James Wolfe. Head to the Coach House for a taste of 18th century treats prepared by our volunteer cooks. Open weekends 22 November–21 December 2025, 11am to 2.30pm with last entry at 2pm.
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.
Christmas in London and the South East
Enjoy festive days out in London and the South East this Christmas, and discover houses dressed to impress, winter illuminations after dark, and plenty of family fun.
Christmas markets and winter fairs
Find perfect Christmas presents for 2025 or stock up on seasonal treats and decorations at a Christmas market or winter fair.
Christmas choirs and concerts
With carol services and choirs performing at many of the places we look after for Christmas 2025, you’ll find lots of ways to get in the festive spirit. Find a merry event near you.
