Plan your next visit today
You can find more information about the family-friendly events we have coming up at Ightham Mote here
A Timeless Christmas: 700 years of festive cheer
Journey through time as you step into seven centuries of Christmas magic at Ightham Mote. From pagan yuletide customs and Tudor festivities to a traditional Victorian Christmas and the cosy familiarity of 20th century celebrations, each space brings to life the sights, sounds and traditions of Christmas past.
A Timeless Christmas: 700 years of festive cheer
Saturday 22 November -Sunday 4 January
11am-4pm (last entry to the site 3.30pm)
(Closed 24 and 25 December)
Step into seven centuries of Christmas magic at Ightham Mote and journey through time as you explore beautifully-decorated rooms set with trees, twinkling lights, evocative soundscapes and seasonal scents.
Inspired by the rich history of this moated manor house, discover the timelessness of this season of festive cheer and goodwill and how it has evolved over 700 years: from pagan yuletide customs and the folklore of the Green Man to Tudor festivities, and a traditional Victorian Christmas to the more modern American traditions of the last owner of Ightham Mote, Charles Henry Robinson and the nostalgia of 1985, the year Ightham Mote entered National Trust care.
In the courtyard, little ones can meet Dido the dog beside her grand Grade I listed kennel and her very own decorated Christmas tree – the perfect backdrop for a festive family selfie. Then set off on a playful spotter trail through the house and gardens to discover where Dido has hidden her Christmas bones.
Timeless Nights: Ightham after Dark
Make a date for some pre-Christmas festive fun with family or friends and experience the magic of Ightham after dark with our very special 'Timeless Nights' late night openings through to 7pm.
On selected Thursday and Fridays in November and December, you can wander the decorated house and soak up the festive atmosphere. Enjoy Christmas shopping at our beautifully-stocked shop, brimming with delights for yourself, thoughtful gifts for others, and all the last-minute foods, decorations and presents you need. Round off your evening with a deliciously festive treat or warming drink in the café.
- Thursday 27 November
- Thursday 4 December
- Friday 5 December
- Thursday 11 December
- Thursday 18 December
- Friday 19 December
Christmas Shopping Weekend: 29-30 November
Get ahead of the festive rush and join us for our special Christmas shopping weekend on 29–30 November when the shop will be open from 10am to 5pm. But if you can't make this weekend, every day is a super-relaxed shopping day and makes choosing special gifts and treats part of the festive fun. Browse our beautiful range of ethically-sourced gifts and homeware, meet some of our talented artisan makers and learn the stories behind their creations, and every weekend there'll be food samples for you to try.
Please note this is not a Christmas market. The makers are all existing Ightham Mote suppliers. We would love you to come and visit the house as well but, if you're pushed for time, you can visit the shop as a standalone activity.
Meet the makers: Saturday 29 November
Silverhand
On the chalky flint soil of the beautiful Kent countryside, Silverhand have established the largest single organic vineyard in the UK and are the first UK vineyard to reach carbon-negative status. Sharing the soil type with top grape growing areas of Épône and Reims in northern France, making Silverhand Estates perfect for growing the key grape varieties used in premium sparkling wine production: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. All their sparkling wines are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and Silver Reign in particular has received numerous awards and recognition for its exceptional quality.
Wood Cottage Craft
Mike and Emily are full time woodland coppicers and run Wood Cottage Craft from a little wooded corner of England.
They coppice predominantly sweet chestnut, with some hazel. The chopped timber gets made into fence posts, fencing and they put the bigger trees through the sawmill. From the surplus wood they craft unique items and art, such as wooden garden mushrooms and reindeer to use as much as possible from the whole tree.
Meet the makers: Sunday 30 November
Kate Neame, local printmaker
Inspired by the beauty of our landscape and the natural world, Kate finds printmaking allows her to bring the very essence of a place or object into focus; unnecessary detail can be stripped away, allowing her to capture essential elements of the world around us. Her screen prints and linocuts are limited editions, hand printed using water-based inks. The small variations that arise during 'burnishing' or pulling the ink through the mesh of the screen gives each print its own character and idiosyncrasy. In this way, each print is an individual piece of art.
Christmas craft workshops
Book Art workshops
Under friendly, expert guidance, you’ll learn how to craft an elegant Christmas decoration made entirely from the pages of a recycled book. No previous experience is needed and all materials and refreshments are provided. Places are limited and pre-booking is essential. Follow the links below for timings and to secure your place.
Saturday 29 November: Book your place on Christmas candle Book Art workshop (£19)
Saturday 6 December: Book your place on Christmas angel Book Art workshop (£22.50)
Christmas wreath workshop - Sunday 7 December, 11am-1pm
Join members of the garden team to create your own beautiful, sustainable wreath crafted from evergreen foliage, berries, and natural materials sourced from Ightham Mote's garden and estate.
This workshop is suitable for ages 12 and above, as it involves careful handling of materials, intricate assembly and use of sharp implements. It’s ideal for older children and adults to enjoy together.
Places are limited and pre-booking is essential: Book your place on the Christmas wreath workshop
Pomander workshops - Saturday 13 December, various times
Using oranges, fragrant spices and seasonal decorations, craft a natural, beautifully-scented ornament to hang in your home or give as a gift.
This hands-on workshop is suitable for ages 12 and above - perfect for older children and adults to enjoy together while exploring a centuries-old festive tradition.
We're running 30-minute sessions at 11am, 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm. Each session is £10 per person and includes all materials, tools and refreshments.
There's limited capacity and booking is essential: Book your place on a Pomander workshop
Festive family activities
'Dido's Christmas Bones' family trail: 21 November-4 January
Can you help find Dido's missing Christmas bones? The whole family can enjoy sniffing out the hidden bones in this festive family spotter trail. Dido, the faithful St Bernard dog who lived at Ightham Mote, has hidden her favourite Christmas bones around the house and gardens - each one inspired by a different era, from medieval feasts to 1980s sparkle. Can you follow her paw prints to find the missing bones?
Creative Christmas Crafts
These are drop-in activities for families that will run between 11am to 3pm and cannot be booked in advance. There is a suggested donation of £2 per child to cover the cost of materials.
Christmas Cards - Sunday 30 November
Design a card for a special someone that captures the warmth and tradition of Christmas. Find out more about the Christmas card craft session
Christmas crackers and stars - Monday 22 December
Get the Christmas holidays off to a flying start with a creative festive afternoon making Christmas crackers and sparkling stars. Find out more about the Christmas cracker and star craft session
Live music at Ightham this Christmas
Boxing Day and New Year's Day guided estate walks
Dust off your walking boots and blow away the cobwebs on a bracing 90-minute guided walk around the Ightham Mote estate.
Dress suitably for potential wet or cold weather and wear sturdy walking shoes as paths can be muddy. Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome too, so why not make it a family affair?
Book your place your post-Christmas guided estate walk now.
Ightham Mote Estate and Gardens this festive season
Take a moment to escape the busy-ness of advent and Christmas for a peaceful walk in nature around the Ightham Mote estate.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a family adventure or just you and your favourite four-legged friends, this winter 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.
Visiting Ightham Mote with the family
With walks, trails, a natural play area and acres of nature there is plenty to keep the family occupied on a visit to Ightham Mote this autumn and winter. Read on to find out how to get the best out of your visit.
The garden at Ightham Mote
Make the most of the garden at Ightham Mote as we move from summer into autumn. There’s still plenty of colour and interesting things to be seen as the flowers continue to bloom.
The estate at Ightham Mote
As the weather becomes cooler, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with misty moodiness and autumn colour across the Ightham Mote estate.
