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A Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote 2024

Ightham in the snow
Ightham Mote in the snow | © Rob Stothard

We invite you to celebrate the festive season with us at Ightham Mote with a magnificent Tudor Christmas. With a roaring fire, a Tudor feast and music of celebration there is lots for the whole family to discover and enjoy.

A Tudor Christmas

Saturday 23 November – Sunday 5 January
11am - 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
(Closed 24 and 25 December)

With the days drawing in, and the temperatures beginning to fall, it's time to start looking ahead to the festive season. Immerse yourself in a Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote, with music, lights and scents, inspired by the history of the property.

Explore the rich history of our 700-year-old moated manor house. With a roaring fire, late-night openings, traditional carols in our courtyard and crafting workshops, there’s plenty for the whole family to discover and enjoy. Marvel at our stunning hand-painted Tudor Chapel, fully adorned with the sights, scents and sounds of a festive Tudor mass.

A Tudor Feast laid out at Ightham Mote
A Tudor Feast laid out at Ightham Mote | © Arnhel de Serra

Christmas Shopping Weekend

Saturday 23 November - Sunday 24 November
10:00am - 4:00pm

Join us for our opening weekend and see the house decorated for a Tudor feast fit for royalty.

Marvel at our stunning hand-painted Tudor Chapel, fully adorned with the sights, scents and sounds of a festive Tudor mass. Get a head start on your Christmas shopping too in our fantastic new shop, with local creators joining us throughout the festive period to share their one-of-a-kind gifts, handcrafted items, and delicious seasonal treats

Family Fun

Saturday 23 November - Sunday 5 January
10:00am - 4:00pm

Get ready for some entertainment for the whole family at Ightham Mote this Christmas because there's a mouse in the house! See if the kids can spot all the Tudor Christmas mice hidden around the garden and house at Ightham Mote.

Imaginations will run free as your little ones rummage through our dressing up box and transport themselves back to a time of kings, queens, knights and ladies. Whatever they decide to be it’ll be sure to be a great opportunity to capture that perfect Tudor Christmas snapshot.

Mice at the Mote Christmas Trail Ightham Mote
Mice at the Mote Christmas Trail Ightham Mote | © Holly Halford

Carols in the Courtyard

Get into the festive spirit once again this year as we welcome back our talented local groups and choirs to perform traditional carols in our courtyard throughout the holiday season. The exact dates and times for each performance are yet to be confirmed, but we are excited to offer a similar lineup of wonderful voices and festive cheer. Stay tuned for more details!

Tonbridge Rock Choir at Ightham Mote
The Tonbridge Rock Choir at Ightham Mote | © Holly Halford

Craft Workshops

Exact dates to be confirmed

This festive season, join us in the Squire's Room for a number of Christmassy crafting sessions. You can learn how to create works of art using old books, perfect for festive decorations or Christmas presents! Booking required.

Late Night Openings:

Friday 6, 13 & 20 December
4pm - 7:30pm, Normal admission fees apply. Booking is not required.

Join us for a late night opening and enjoy our festive Tudor Christmas decorations, full of twinkling lights, flickering candles, and greenery from our garden.

Please wrap up warm, bring a torch and enjoy Ightham Mote after dark. Last entry to the house will be 19:00. The site closes at 19:30.

Winter Dawn Walks:
Boxing Day and
New Years Day

Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 1 January
8:45am - 11:30am,

Walk off that Christmas Dinner or start the New Year off right with our Dawn Winter Walks.

Enjoy a filling English Breakfast followed by a bracing walk about the Ightham Mote Estate in all its winter glory… just don’t forget your scarfs and wellies!

This walk lasts around sixty to ninety minutes. Booking Essential

Hiking group on a guided hike led by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Hiking group on a guided hike led by rangers | © Annapurna Mellor

Ightham Mote Estate and Gardens this Christmas

Take a moment to escape the chaos of Christmas for a peaceful walk around the Ightham Mote estate this winter.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a family adventure or just you and your favourite four-legged friends, this Christmas is the perfect time to put your hats, scarfs and wellies to good use and explore over 500 acres of Ightham Mote’s estate.

The Ightham Mote estate has always been a place where dogs stretch their legs and enjoy themselves and now between November and February we welcome dogs on leads to explore our winter gardens with you. There’s no need for your pooch to be left out of your plans this Christmas!

Ightham Tudor Christmas Table

Plan your next visit today

You can find more information about what family-friendly events we have coming up at Ightham Mote here

Roses on the herbaceous border at Ightham Mote
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The garden at Ightham Mote 

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The Ightham Mote Estate Emily Pyle
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The estate at Ightham Mote 

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