Discover more at Chartwell
Find out when Chartwell is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
From Christmas markets to live carol music, wreath-making workshops to a festive family garden trail, plus the lavishly decorated house to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas 2024 at Chartwell. With so much to celebrate, you’ll want to come back to Chartwell again and again this holiday season.
The Christmas season starts at Chartwell with our annual Christmas market. 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. Thursday 14–Sunday 17 November 2024, 10am–4pm.
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 (except 24–25 December), 10am–4pm.
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.
Carols at Chartwell: Oxted Band
Sing along to Christmas classics before or after visiting the Christmas Market. Saturday 16 November 2024, 12–1pm.
Carols at Chartwell: Oxted and Limpsfield Choral Society
Enjoy festive tunes and carols. Sunday 1 December 2024, 2–3pm.
Carols at Chartwell: East Peckham Silver Band
The band is back again this year to perform a mix of popular and traditional carols. Saturday 7 December 2024, 11:30am–12:30pm.
Carols at Chartwell: Forge Musical Theatre
The whole family will be feeling festive as the carols continue. Saturday 7 December 2024, 1:30–2pm.
Carols at Chartwell: West Kingsdown Guitar Group
Live guitar music brings Christmas joy to visitors in the grounds. Saturday 14 December 2024, 2–3pm.
Carols at Chartwell: 17th Tonbridge Scout & Guide Band
Warm up your vocal chords and join in with the band. Saturday 21 December 2024, 11:30am–12:30pm.
Wreath Making Workshop at Chartwell
Saturday 23–24 November 2024, 10am–12pm
Get creative this Christmas. Let our expert florist guide you through the step-by-step process to make your own stunning wreath using natural foliage. All materials, tuition, refreshments, and entrance to Chartwell provided as part of the course fee. Pre-booking is essential, check availability for your preferred date.
Self-led visits, 23 November–23 December, 11:30am to last entry at 2:20pm. Normal admission applies.
Guided tours, 28 November–20 December, weekdays 10:30–11:15am. Pre-booking and additional fee applies.
Prepare to be transported back in time to a sparkling 1930s Christmas party. Be greeted in the Sitting Room by golden garlands, twinkling lights, and the warmth of a winter fire. Make your way through to the Drawing Room to experience the party in full swing, where the canapes are served and the Champagne’s on ice. Enjoy a quieter moment in the Library with its beautifully decorated Christmas tree and imagine Churchill sneaking away from the main event for a cheeky cigar.
Venture upstairs for a glimpse of how Lady Clementine Churchill prepares for the Christmas season before heading downstairs to rejoin the Champagne celebrations. In the Dining Room, marvel at the champagne bottle Christmas trees before heading to the Kitchen to feast your eyes on a very special birthday cake.
Throughout the house, our knowledgeable room guides will regale you with tales of Chartwell Christmas’s gone by, all against a backdrop of festive music merging with the clinking of champagne flutes.
The Christmas Season starts at Chartwell with the Christmas Fair, Thursday 14–17 November 2024, 10am–4pm and Christmas carols in the grounds performed by the Oxted Band on Saturday 16 November, 12–1pm.
Then it's not long before selected rooms of the house will be open and specially decorated for Christmas. See the house in its champagne festive glory on self-led visits from 23 November until 23 December (11:30am–2:20pm last entry). House tickets will be available from the Visitor Centre on the day. Normal admission applies.
Churchill’s Champagne Christmas Guided Tour
For a more intimate experience of the House at Christmastime, join one of our expert volunteer guides on a tour of selected rooms which are decorated for Christmas. Spaces are limited to 12 per tour and must be pre-booked (28 November–20 December 2024, weekdays 10:30–11:15am).
Thursday 14 November 2024–Sunday 5 January 2025, 10am–4pm.
Wrap up warm and explore gardens at Chartwell this Christmas with a family trail. Pick up a Christmas tree trail sheet from the Visitor Centre then search for our stamping stations to decorate it. Normal admission plus £2.50 per trail including a prize.
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.
Find out when Chartwell is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Explore the beloved home of one of Britain's greatest politicians, Sir Winston Churchill. The house has many treasures and provides an intimate portrait of the Churchill family.
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?
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.
Whether you want to make your own Christmas wreath, visit Father Christmas or enjoy winter illuminations at a historic location, we have plenty of festive events and things to do at the places in our care. Plan your festive day out today.
During winter, many of the places in our care are bathed in colour as they host winter illuminations and lights trails.
Step back in time and experience a historic Christmas first-hand. From the 1800s to the 1980s, see houses decked out with decorations from across history at the places in our care.
Find perfect Christmas presents or stock up on seasonal treats and decorations at a Christmas market or winter fair.
With carol services and choirs performing at many of our places, you’ll find lots of ways to get in the Christmas spirit at these merry events near you.