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Knole at Christmas

A Christmas tree and decorations in The Great Hall at Knole
The Great Hall at Knole at Christmas | © 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.

Christmas at Knole

 

Beatrix Potter's Christmas Card Trail at Knole

Saturday 22 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 (except 24 and 25 December)

Postman Bunny has lost Beatrix Potter's Christmas cards - can you help him find them?

Explore the parkland and discover each charming Christmas card, and enjoy trail activities along the way. Take a festive selfie to share with friends and family and leave a wish in Knole's Christmas post box. At the end of the trail receive a cuddly bunny Christmas gift.

£6 per trail. Collect your trail leaflet from the Visitor Centre. Trail available daily until 4 January 2026 (except 24 and 25 December 2024), 10am-4pm (last trail issued 3.30pm).

The trail stops are in the parkland and Orangery and the trail prize is collected from the Bookshop. Please dress appropriately for the weather. The parkland can become muddy. Dogs on leads are permitted in the parkland but not in any inside areas, including the Orangery and Bookshop, except for assistance dogs.

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

More information on the trail can be found here.

 

A family admires a Christmas tree in the Orangery at Knole, Kent, with orange and silver baubles and a dried orange slice decoration
A family admires a Christmas tree at Knole, Kent | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

 

Christmas in the showrooms

Saturday 22 November - Tuesday 23 December

Get in the Christmas spirit by wandering through the grand courtyards at Knole, decorated with trees and garlands. There's even a giant wreath with Knole as the backdrop for a festive selfie stop! Step into the Great Hall to find a magnificent, decorated tree and centuries-old long table adorned with decorations in rich, traditional Christmas colours. 

Continue your merry journey around Knole and climb the spiral stairs in the Gatehouse Tower for panoramic views of the parkland. On the way you can discover the life and loves of a former resident and 1930s-inspired festivities, including a decorated tree and replica Christmas cards form the time.

Showrooms open daily until 23 December 2025, 11am-4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Normal admission to Knole applies.
Gatehouse Tower open daily except 24 and 25 December 2025, 11am-4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Normal admission to Knole applies.

More information on Christmas in the showrooms can be found here.

 

Christmas tree in the ballroom at Knole
Christmas tree in the ballroom at Knole | © Ivan Jones

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. 

 

 

Enjoy some carols in the courtyard

We're delighted to welcome local community choirs and singing groups to Green Court this December for some carols and Christmas songs.

Saturday 6 December, 1-1.20pm and 2-2.20pm - D'Vine Singers
Saturday 13 December, 1-1.20pm and 2-2.20pm - Numama
Saturday 20 December, 1-1.20pm and 2-2.20pm - Show of Hands Sign Language Choir
More information on carol singing at Knole can be found here. There is no separate ticket for seeing the choirs - it is included in admission to Knole. More information on admission and pre-booking can be found here.

 

 

 

Festive workshops at Knole

Come and get in the Christmas spirit with a creative workshop.

Christmas Fused Glass Workshop with Jane Padgham

Friday 21 November, 1-3.30pm | Monday 24 November, 10.30am-1pm | £70 per person

Step into the colourful world of glass fusing with trained tutor, Jane Padgham. 

This relaxed and creative session offers the perfect introduction to working with glass. Taking inspiration from nature and the seasons, you will create a maximum of four items such as a 10cm coaster, light catcher, Christmas ornament or piece of bunting. Jane will be on hand to guide you as you bring your designs to life.
No previous experience is necessary and all materials will be provided.
More information and booking here.

 

A round piece of clear glass with a green Christmas tree on it and a green and red dotted pattern around the edge.
Decoration made in a fused glass workshop at Knole | © Jane Padgham

Linocut winter greeting card design workshop with Rachel Moore

Tuesday 25 November, 10.30am-4.30pm | £70 per person

Explore creative carving and experience printing with a 19th-century press at this winter-themed linocut workshop.

Under the guidance of tutor Rachel Moore, you'll learn transfer techniques, image reversal and get hands-on carving your tile using specialist tools. You'll then ink up your linocut and print a series of greetings cards using a cast-iron 19th-century press.
No previous printmaking experience needed and all materials will be provided.
More information and booking here.

 

A hand holding a tool that is scratching a pattern into a piece of material. The scene has a deer with antlers at the centre. There are pine cones and green foliage on the table around the material.
Preparing a tile in a linocut workshop | © Rachel Moore

Christmas wreath making workshop with Sian Johnson

Monday 8 December, 10.30am-1pm | Monday 8 December, 2-4.30pm | Tuesday 9 December, 2-4.30pm | £70 per person

In this workshop you will be creating a beautiful festive door wreath from scratch using a variety of foliage and materials. You'll then be able to personalise it with a selection of decorations in different styles and colour schemes.
All materials are provided and no experience is required.
More information and booking here.

 

Christmas garland making workshop with Sian Johnson

Tuesday 9 December, 10.30am-1pm | £70 per person

In this workshop you will be creating a beautiful festive garland from scratch using a variety of foliage and materials. You'll then be able to personalise it with a selection of decorations in different styles and colour schemes, perfect to attach to your staircase, lay along your fireplace or the centre of your dining table.
All materials are provided and no experience is required.
More information and booking here.

Green foliage decorated with a ribbon bow with snowmen on, red baubles, pine cones, cinnamon sticks and apple slices
Close up of a wreath from a wreath making workshop at Knole | © Sian Johnson

 

Family festive craft events

Design your own set of Christmas cards

Saturday 29 November, 10.30am-12pm | £5 per child and normal admission to Knole applies

Take inspiration from the beautiful Christmas card trail in the parkland at Knole or some of the Beatrix Potter cards currently on display, and make your own collection of Christmas cards to send to loved ones this year. Paints, stamps and decorations will all be provided for you to decorate your cards any way you like.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Suitable for ages 5+.
More information and booking here.

 

Christmas biscuit decorating

Monday 22 December, 10.30am-12pm | £5 per child and normal admission to Knole applies

Have some festive fun decorating biscuits in a Christmassy way: try creating a bauble design or festive scene. You'll go home with four deliciously decorated biscuits - what a tasty treat!
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Suitable for ages 5+.
More information and booking here.


 

 

Eating and shopping

The Brewhouse Cafe 

Take a walk to the cosy Brewhouse Cafe 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 2026 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 3 November 2025). Entry to shops, café and courtyard is free for non-members who don't wish to use the National Trust car park.


 

 

Blue spruce scented candles and reed diffuser from the 2025 autumn/winter collection
Blue spruce scented candles and reed diffuser from the 2025 autumn/winter collection | © 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 family walks along a path covered in fallen leaves, with the house in the background at Knole, Kent