Discover a Christmas full of merriment and mischief at the manor. As the Lord of Misrule takes charge, festive traditions from across the centuries come together amongst beautiful seasonal decorations and greenery.
Merriment and Misrule: a Tudor Christmas party
Let the Lord of Misrule be your guide to the lively and chaotic traditions of a Tudor Christmas. Discover the fun, feasts, and perculiar customs that brightened the midwinter in Tudor times.
Lyveden's halls will be decked in boughs of holly, ivy and mistletoe. Christmas trees will be festooned with decorations inspired by a Tudor Christmas and window sills will tell the story of high days and holidays.
Discover quirky traditions like the Boy Bishops who temporarily took over church duties or the lively tradition of mumming, where masked performers went from house to house with mischeif in mind.
Christmas in the Manor: Merriment and mischief, the Lord of Misrule takes over
28 November - 24 December and 31 December - 3 January, 10am - 2pm. Normal admission applies.
Step into the manor where the traditional leader in Tudor Christmas partying, the Lord of Misrule, has highjacked our Tudor Christmas displays. This year, he's taken it one step further and mixed the manor up with displays of Christmases through time. With the manor bedecked in boughs of festive greenery, glimpses of other Christmases past are peeking through the revelry, mixing up the decorations and traditions that made up this joyous time.
Festive bauble workshop
28 November, 11am - 1pm, £40 per person (ticket includes discount towards a mince pie and hot drink in the café. Pre booking essential.
Join botanical artist and illustrator Imogen for a nature-inspired, festive bauble workshop. Imogen will gently guide you through painting your own ceramic bauble using seasonal foliage, winter berries and Christmas blooms as inspirations.
Santa Paws at Lyveden
Saturday 5 ans Sunday 6 December (various 10 minute time slots starting at 11.10am and finishing at 3pm). Normal admission applies and group with 1 dog- £5 group with 2 dogs - £8 group with 3 dogs £10. Pre-booking essential.
Enjoy an exclusive audience with Santa, where your dogs will be able to meet and play with Father Christmas in their own dedicated timeslot. Pose for a family Christmas photo and receive a playful present for each dog.
The red room at Lyveden decorated for Christmas with window sills and mantlepiece decked with traditional greenery.
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Festive food and drink
If you’re feeling peckish or need to warm-up us after a winter's stroll, we have plenty of festive treats available in the manor café. Why not treat yourself to a warming hot chocolate next to our log burner or take one with you as you explore Tresham's garden. And of course, we’ll have all your usual favourites including a mincepie or two.
Get into the festive spirit
From wreath-making workshops and carol concerts to winter illuminations, find Christmas days out near you.
With a manor house to see, plan your visit here, with historical talks, information on the garden design and our temporary exhibition space there's plenty to see and do.
The café in the Grade I-listed manor serves a range of hot and cold drinks, light meals, snacks and cakes to keep you refreshed during your visit. Take a seat indoors or enjoy your cuppa in the outdoor seating area.
Discover how religious persecution, treason and debt stopped Tresham’s vision from being fulfilled and why Lyveden stands as a reminder of his act of quiet and creative rebellion.
