Discover more in Kent
Fairy-tale castles, historic royal residences and the home of Churchill can all be found in Kent.
Christmas in Kent
Beautifully decorated houses, themed activities and workshops, family trails and delicious seasonal treats. What's not to love about Christmas with the National Trust in Kent.
Top Christmas days out in Kent
Place
Ightham Mote
Celebrate a Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote with music, lights and scents inspired by festive seasons past throughout the manor. Marvel at the stunning hand-painted Tudor Chapel, sumptuously decorated for a festive Tudor mass. With traditional carol singing in the courtyard and special late-night openings too, there’s plenty of Christmas magic instore. Families can follow the Christmas Mouse trail (free with admission) and wave to the wandering Father Christmas. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Chartwell
In honour of Sir Winston Churchill's 150th birthday, celebrate a Champagne Christmas at Chartwell. Travel back in time to the sparkling 1930s festive season, with golden garlands, twinkling lights and a crackling winter fire. Feast your eyes on a very special birthday cake, and venture upstairs for a glimpse of how Lady Clementine Churchill prepared for the Christmas season. Chat to our room guides for tales of Chartwell Christmases gone by, as festive music merges with the delicate clinking of champagne flutes. Look out for dates for this year’s Christmas fair and workshops too. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Scotney Castle
Explore the beautifully decorated house and family-friendly garden trail inspired by Scotney’s theatrical links. Magical late-night lights and events, Santa’s storytime and North Pole letter-writing station will be back, as well as the delicious Christmas lunches and treats.
Place
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
There will be a chance to get creative at Sissinghurst this Christmas, with wreath making workshops (dates TBC) and traditional winter craft sessions. This festive season the decor will be inspired by Sissinghurst’s Elizabethan history. Check back for more details.
Place
Knole
Trees, decorations and Christmas music will fill a selection of the historic Showrooms, with sparkling displays inspired by Knole’s silver collection (Christmas in the Showrooms 23 Nov to 23 Dec, free with admission). Climb the spiral stairs in the Gatehouse Tower for panoramic views of the parkland and a chance to immerse yourself in the 1930s-inspired festive atmosphere. Or wrap up and head into the parkland for a festive family adventure trail (23 Nov to 5 Jan, details TBC). Sign up for a creative Christmas workshop, from wreath and garland making to working with fused glass. Pre-book admission to Knole to guarantee entry. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Quebec House
Celebrate a traditional Georgian Christmas including a special late-night event. Join the cooks in the kitchen for live demonstrations and try traditional Georgian treats from Henrietta Wolfe's receipt book. In true Georgian style, the house will be decorated with natural foliage including garlands around every banister and holly and ivy on each mantlepiece. The Parlour will be laid for a festive banquet with a marzipan hedgehog, Twelfth Cake and jellied fruits in every colour of the rainbow. Open weekends in December.
Christmas at our places nearby
Place
Bateman's
Enter the jungle and a world of festive warmth, colour, tradition and creativity. The world-renowned author of ‘The Jungle Book’, Rudyard Kipling, lived here for over 30 years. Discover the animals from his much-loved tale around the house. Little ones can spot the tiger tree and Baloo, as well as a special Christmas cake inspired by the story. Golden Christmas trees celebrate Kipling’s love of India will be hung with hand-crafted jewels, fruits and flowers. Browse original Jungle Book-inspired art by local artist Claire Fletcher, perfect as a special Christmas gift, and pop into the Mulberry Tea-Room for a warming treat. ‘The Jungle Book Christmas’ runs 16 Nov to 5 Jan 2024, free with admission. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Bodiam Castle
The castle will be decorated with natural foliage and greenery for a medieval-style Christmas. Pop down for live music in the courtyard on weekends in December (dates tbc). Families can meet festive characters on select weekends and get stuck into feast-inspired games and activities on the ‘Merry Medieval Christmas’ trail (£3 per trail with prize. Suitable clothing for outdoors advised). Settle into the cosy, grotto-style tower room for enchanting tales of dragons, knights and castles on select weekends in December (free with admission). Medieval Christmas at Bodiam Castle runs 30 Nov to Sun 5 Jan, free with admission. Closed 24 & 25 December.