Christmas at Cliveden

Christmas at Cliveden: The Nutcracker

Stroll beneath sparkling bauble arches with oversized candy canes inspired by the Sugar Plum Fairy's land of sweets. Wander through the Long Garden where giant Nutcracker soldiers stand guard, and discover a twinkling scene through the golden gates of the Sounding Chamber.

With decorated Christmas trees dressed in sparkling splendour and festive treats to enjoy, this is Cliveden at its most magical.

Enjoy a warming hot chocolate or mince pie at the Conservatory Café, and browse our winter range in the gift shop, along with seasonal finds in our second-hand bookshop.  

Follow the magic around the estate

Young explorers can enjoy the Storybook Play Den and maze in the Water Garden and there are 400 acres of natural woodlands to discover for nature enthusiasts. Finally, we have many dog friendly paths for those with four-legged friends to take in the winter views across the Thames Valley through the frames of the bare trees. Head to 'Visiting Cliveden with your dog' to find out more.

Accessibility 

To plan your visit and find out about accessibility needs, please visit: AccessAble - Your Accessibility Guide

 

Winter walks

There is an abundance of colour, interest and scent at Cliveden during the colder months of winter that are ideal for walkers of all abilities.

Head to the Japanese-inspired Water Garden for a range of highlights including the bark on our Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii) and our cluster of Acer griseum, to the abundant red berries on our Cotoneaster x watereri. Look out for a bright yellow carpet of winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) underneath the birches, and make sure to take a wander along Dog Walkers' Path to see the newly renovated cascade waterfall with its surrounding planting of acers, ferns and bamboo.

Staying in the Water Garden, visitors will also be able to experience some fabulous fragrances that linger in the air from shrubs such as Sarcococca confusa, Chimonanthus praecox, Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ and D. 'Garden House Ghost'. Close to the path edge in this area of the estate you can spot Helleborus x hybridus ‘White Lady’ which is the first of our hellebores to bloom, closely followed by pink and lilac varieties. Towards the end of the year, the vivid yellow sprays and scent of flowering mahonia also really catch the eye and cheer the soul on a dark winter's afternoon.

Elsewhere at Cliveden, the Long Garden’s topiary will be freshly cut creating a sculptural effect throughout the garden and you may catch flashes of purple berries on the shrub border that belong to what is commonly referred to as the beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldi ‘Profusion’) along with the coloured stems of Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’. This year, the Long Garden's new perennial planting scheme will be left to provide structure and seedhead interest throughout the winter months, as well as providing habitat and food sources for wildlife. You will also be able to see a variety of interesting seedheads and silhouettes on the two large herbaceous borders in front of the house as they die back after providing a riot of colour through the summer.

There are also several varieties of snowdrops and cyclamen dotted around the estate, with particularly fragrant and bright groups in front of the Rose Garden entrance and all around the Water Garden. Many walkers will also enjoy heading past the Blenheim Pavilion and down through the hanging gardens, where the bare stems of winter and further groups of snowdrops provide a very different feel to the colour and scent in the Water Garden and Long Garden.

At the end of a bracing walk, you may also enjoy our seasonal display of colourful Heuchera by the Conservatory Cafe - the perfect way to end a visit to Cliveden on a winter's day.

Christmas Activities

Christmas Wreath-making Workshop

Craft your own festive wreath in the Doll’s House café using greenery foraged by the gardeners and rangers from the Cliveden Estate. The workshop costs £65 per person and includes unlimited tea and filtered coffee. Standard admission applies.

The workshops will run from 10am-12pm and 12.30pm-2.30pm on the following dates:

Tuesday 18 November

Thursday 20 November

Tuesday 25 November

Thursday 27 November

Click the link below to book.

Christmas food and drink

This year, visitors can enjoy our festive pop-up catering van in the coach park, serving up a tempting range of seasonal delights. Warm your hands on a glass of mulled wine or spiced hot apple, and indulge in hot snacks and festive bites — including the irresistible double chocolate and cranberry cookie.

For even more seasonal indulgence, the Conservatory Café will be offering a hot turkey bap, festive toasties, and seasonal sandwiches, alongside a full array of festive treats. Highlights include the goats’ cheese and fig scone and our much-loved mince pie hot chocolate — available served piping hot or perfectly iced.

Your perfect Christmas gifts await you at the Cliveden Gift Shop

Step inside Cliveden’s carefully curated Christmas shop and let the season’s magic unfold. Brimming with festive charm, each display has been lovingly arranged to capture the warmth and wonder of Christmas at Cliveden.

Wander through shelves adorned with elegant ornaments, indulgent seasonal treats, and hand-picked gifts inspired by the estate’s heritage and natural beauty. From locally sourced home fragrances to the perfect bottle of wine for your Christmas table, every item has been thoughtfully chosen to bring a touch of sparkle to your celebrations.

Sustainably sourced and beautifully presented, these treasures offer something special for everyone — whether you’re searching for a keepsake to cherish, a thoughtful stocking filler, or a memorable gift to share with loved ones.

Embrace the joy of giving this festive season with a visit to Cliveden’s Gift Shop — where every gift tells a story, and Christmas truly comes to life.