Curtain Up: Christmas at Scotney

Christmas in the House: 23 November 2024–5 January 2025

Escape reality with a visit to Scotney this Christmas and step into a glittering world of performance, entertainment and nostalgia ...

Explore the rooms in Scotney's mansion house, transformed into a cinematic storybook of Christmas fun and sparkle. Using items from Scotney's extensive collection as inspiration, you'll be treated to a visual festive feast. We're taking seasonal family favourites like pantomime, ballet and film, adding a little stardust, and weaving in sparkle and magic to create themed decorated rooms in the mansion house that will fill you with the spirit and joy of Christmas. Via popcorn-garlanded Christmas trees in the main hall and the 'tutu' tree in the ballet-themed room, you'll journey from the sophistication of a night at the opera to the creative chaos of the Mad Hatter's Christmas Dinner. Perfect for friends and families of all ages.

'Curtain Up': Christmas at Scotney (23 Nov-5 Jan**) | National Trust

'Late Nights & Lights'

Visit Scotney's mansion after hours to see the house illuminated inside and out, enjoy glittering trees, sparkling decorations and beautiful lights. Please note this is not a full light trail and the focus of the illuminations is the mansion house and its immediate surrounds.

As well as the lights to enjoy and the decorated mansion house to visit, you'll be able to toast marshmallows (small separate chareg applies), browse the shop for gorgeous gifts and Christmas homeware, and enjoy some tasty treats in the cosy tea-room.

Christmas twilight opening (Selected dates in December) | National Trust

Family outdoor trail

Whether you need to run off pre-Christmas excitement or blow away post-Christmas cobwebs, our festive outdoor trail around the garden is a perfect solution. The trail is included with your entry (free for NT members) so there'll be a bit extra to spend on Christmas treats.

Letters to Santa

Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read ... and something to eat too, of course! With festive writing paper, special envelopes, seasonal stamps and stickers, this free event is a perfect pre-Christmas activity for little ones.

Festive feasting

Celebrate the festive season with special get-togethers and Scotney's very popular Christmas lunches, available weekdays in the Coach House tea-room. With the fire lit, Christmas music playing, and a delicious 2 or 3 course Christmas lunch complete with mince pies, you'll enjoy a really memorable and cosy celebration with friends or family, without the fuss.

These lunches are very popular and must be booked in advance and details on how to do this will appear on the website in due course. Alternativley pop into the tea-room and make your booking when you're next visiting. You can download a copy of our menu here

Planning your visit

All these events, with the exception of the Christmas lunches and marshmallow toasting, are included in your admission and are free for National Trust members. Different prices (non-members only) apply for day-time and evening visits.

All visitors should pre-book their parking to guarantee entry on the day and time of their choice (day rate £4.50 for non-members; NT members park for free). Car park booking for the Christmas season opens on 21 October.