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Knole at Christmas

Christmas tree decorated with red, gold and orange baubles, with small lights and topped with a red box. There is a large portrait paintings on the walls either side of the tree. There is wooden panelling below these paintings, a wooden bench with a green foliage garland laid along it, and a chequered stone floor.
Christmas tree in Great Hall, Knole, Kent | © National Trust/Lois Leyland

Find out what's going on at Knole this Christmas

Pre-book your visit to Knole

It is essential to pre-book your visit to Knole at weekends and during school holidays if you wish to use the National Trust car park. The car park can become very busy at these times and without a booking you may be turned away. This includes National Trust members and free pass holders. Admission is charged per person at the Gatebox entry point. Car parking is included with admission tickets - there is no separate car park ticket. Bookings can be made via our website or by ringing the central booking line on 0344 249 1895. Tickets can be booked up to four weeks in advance with new slots released every Thursday.

Closure of some rooms at Knole

From Monday 2 November, some of the showrooms will be closed for winter cleaning and conservation. The Great Hall, Great Stairs, Ballroom, Reynolds Room, Cartoon Gallery and King’s Room remain open (11am-4pm, last entry 3.30pm). The showrooms ticket price is reduced to reflect this. The showrooms close completely on Wednesday 23 December and re-open on Monday 15 February 2026.

Christmas at Knole

 

A Christmas Woodland Wonder in the showrooms

Saturday 21 November - Wednesday 23 December

Celebrate the festive season with a magical walk through Knole’s grand courtyards, decorated with trees and garlands. Pause for a seasonal photograph beside a giant wreath, beautifully framed with the historic backdrop of Knole.

Step into the Great Hall to find a magnificent, sparkling tree and centuries-old long table adorned with nature-inspired woodland decorations. Continue your journey through the beautifully decorated showrooms and search for charming deer decorations hidden in a free spotter trail.

Climb the spiral stairs in the Gatehouse Tower for panoramic views of the park and a 1930s-inspired festive atmosphere.

Normal admission to Knole applies to use the National Trust car park. Please pre-book admission to guarantee entry.

 

 

Decorated Christmas tree in the music room in the Gatehouse Tower, Knole
Decorated Christmas tree in the music room in the Gatehouse Tower, Knole | © National Trust / Lois Leyland

 

Christmas Trail at Knole

Saturday 21 November - Sunday 3 January

Wrap up warm and head into the parkland for a festive family trail at Knole.

Discover a trail inspired by Knole's furry and feathered animal residents. See what's hidden inside the bird boxes, find the wooden deer and enjoy a range of Christmas-themed activities. Don't forget to take a festive selfie in the Orangery and pick up a sticker from the Bookshop.

Trail available Saturday 21 November to Sunday 3 January, except 24 and 25 December when Knole is closed.

Free trail, normal admission applies. Pre-booking admission is essential during school holidays and weekends, including for National Trust members and free admission pass holders.

Children taking part in deer trail at Knole standing next to wooden deer
Children taking part in deer trail at Knole | © National Trust / Lois Leyland

Take a stroll around Knole Park

After a festive visit to Knole House, why not take a stroll around the park? There are hard standing paths and walking routes of different lengths you can follow. Pick up a map from the Visitor Centre or download one here. Enjoy watching the deer from a distance but please do not approach, pet or feed them. Be aware of golfers as some paths do cross the course. 

 

 

 

 

Eating and shopping

The Brewhouse Café 

Take a walk to the cosy Brewhouse Café for a warming snack and drink. Choose from a delicious selection of cakes, snacks, light meals and festive treats.

 

 

The shops at Knole

You'll also find two shops at Knole inside Green Court, perfect for some stress-free shopping and ideal for picking up some Christmas gifts or festive fare for your table. In the gift shop there are decorations, accessories, jewellery, throws, cushions, toiletries and more. There's also a range of jams, pickles, biscuits and drinks as well as seasonal additions of chocolates, Christmas puddings, chutneys and festive tipples. 


In the bookshop you'll find a wide selection of brand new books, with a section dedicated to children's titles and activity sets. There are books on gardening, cooking, history, notable figures from Knole's past, art, nature and the local area. There are also calendars and diaries for 2027 and greetings cards to browse.
Whatever you buy, every purchase is helping to conserve Knole and help us carry out essential work to preserve the collection. 

Shops open daily except 24 and 25 December, 10am-4pm (5pm until 1 November 2026). Entry to shops, café and courtyard is free for non-members who don't wish to use the National Trust car park.

 

 

A selection of Christmas food and drink products, arranged around a hamper
Choose from a selection of food and drink | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Deer wander through Knole Park outside the West Front entrance of Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent

Book your visit

We recommend that you book tickets to visit Knole. You can book tickets up to an hour before your visit (subject to availability). Every Thursday time slots will be available for the next four weeks. Book online or call 0344 249 1895.

Explore the showrooms at Knole 

Knole was built to impress. Come and explore the grandeur of its showrooms, the hidden secrets of the attics and the rooms Eddy Sackville-West called home in the Gatehouse Tower.

A lavishly decorated bedroom with a four poster bed hung with embroidered hangings and tapestry hung walls at Knole in Kent

Eating and shopping at Knole 

Browse the latest seasonal ranges and pick up something to brighten up your home and bookshelves at Knole. Pop into the Brewhouse Café for drinks, savoury snacks and sweet treats.

Books displayed on a wooden table in the Bookshop at Knole Kent

Planning a visit to Knole 

Pre-booking is essential at weekends and during school holidays. Find out how to pre-book your visit to Knole as well as how to purchase tickets for tours of Knole’s attic spaces and access to Lord Sackville’s private garden. Book online or call 0344 249 1895.

Three people are standing in a group. One is smiling at the other two and has her arm out in a welcoming gesture.

Family-friendly visits to Knole 

There are plenty of things for families to enjoy on a visit to Knole.

A lady and man with a small boy on his shoulders on a family day out at Polesden Lacey, Surrey