Discover more at Hughenden
Find out when Hughenden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Christmas at Hughenden: A Victorian Voyage of Discovery
A magical Christmas at Hughenden where visitors explore the night sky, distant desert, dense jungle and deep ocean. This Christmas, we’re transforming the manor into a celebration of Victorian discovery. Step into a world of Victorian exploration, where curiosity, discovery and a sense of adventure reveal extraordinary moments that captured the Victorian imagination.
This Christmas at Hughenden, you can view the world without leaving the manor. Immerse yourself in a Victorian world of discovery, exploring the splendour of the twinkling night sky, faraway deserts, dense jungles and deep oceans.
The Manor transforms into a magical kingdom, revealing the stories that captivated Victorian explorers and scientists. Look up to the skies to experience the thrill of stargazing in an age of scientific discovery or join Charles Darwin on his journey through the dense jungles of South America in his attempt to find the origins of natural life.
Keep an eye out for the animals that join the hot air balloon adventures to spot them as you explore. Or climb into our hot air balloon basket to take photos of your own take-off into the Manor's winterland of Victorian fantasy and adventure.
This Christmas at Hughenden is a celebration of wonder, the joy of discovering thrilling stories, imagination, and more than a sprinkle of seasonal magic.
Saturday 28 November 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
Christmas Decorations
Step inside the Victorian Manor House that has been transformed into a joyful Christmas of twinkling charm.
Library
See the library transformed with jungle fauna, jungle creatures and a beautifully decorated tree that brings the magic of the rainforest indoors. Challenge friends and family to a jungle-themed game of Snakes and Ladders.
Dining Room
Step into a magical cosmic Christmas in the Dining Room, where hanging planets, sparkling stars and a dazzling Christmas tree transform the room into an enchanting festive universe.
Drawing Room
Discover an enchanting underwater Christmas in the Drawing Room, where glowing sea creatures, sparkling shells and beautifully decorated trees bring the wonders of the ocean to life.
Disraeli Room
Step into a festive desert oasis in the Disraeli Room, where twinkling Christmas trees, glowing lanterns, camels and a marketplace scene evoke the magic of a Christmas journey across the sands.
Planning your visit: what you need to know
Entry: There's no need to book. Normal property admission price (free for National Trust members and under-fives). If you’re with a carer or essential companion, they visit for free.
When to visit: Christmas can be a busy time at Hughenden, especially during the holidays. Most of our visitors tend to arrive between 11am and 1pm, which can cause congestion in the car park especially on weekends. If you arrive at 10am you might find the grounds a little quieter, or if you arrive after 1pm, there’s still time to enjoy all that Hughenden has to offer. If you have the flexibility, a weekday visit is generally quieter than a weekend, even during school holidays. If you can only visit over the weekend, Saturdays are usually less busy than Sundays.
As Christmas is very popular, you may need to queue to view the decorations inside the manor. In order to preserve the beauty of the manor, we may have to kindly ask visitors to pop back another time once we’ve reached full capacity. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Parking: there's free parking onsite with accessible spaces located closer to the Stableyard (please speak with a member of the welcome team). Please note that our car park surface can become uneven and muddy, particularly during periods of bad weather. Our car park can fill quickly on our busiest days, so you may need to queue; in extreme circumstances we may have to close the car park to allow spaces to free up.
Accessibility: toilets and changing facilities located in the Stableyard. Buggies/pushchairs welcome in the gardens, but not in the house - please be prepared to leave these outside if going inside. Gently-sloping areas and wide pathways around much of the grounds, which can be uneven and muddy in places during winter: sturdy footwear is recommended. Buggy service available, subject to volunteer availability.
Refreshments: drinks, snacks and light lunches with festive and family-friendly options are available from our café.
Festive fun for families
There’s also lots of Christmas make-and-do magic to fuel the festivity for little imaginations, please see event page for further details.
Find out more by looking at our Christmas events.
Festive Food and Drink
Head to the café to warm up with a hot chocolate or spice-infused mulled wine. Enjoy our festive menu to indulge in a mince pie or turkey bap whilst surrounded by Christmas sparkle.
Throughout December, treat yourself to our scone of the month. Freshly baked and full of flavour, it’s a seasonal twist that’s perfect for a cosy winter pick-me-up.
Christmas shopping
Leave the busy high street behind and let us help with gift ideas to suit everyone.
Whether you’re looking for stocking fillers or presents for nature lovers and outdoor explorers, you’ll find the perfect gift to give. If you're buying for foodies, there's plenty of choice, from tasty biscuits to handmade jams, indulgent chocolates to quaffable wines.
You can also transform your home into a winter wonderland this season with unique decorations from the shop at Hughenden.
Set a date to meet family and friends at Hughenden. Come together in Hughenden’s festive Christmas setting and make lasting memories.
You might also be interested in
The house at Hughenden
Visit the house at Hughenden and discover its many stories, from being a famous prime minister’s home to a top-secret war base
The garden at Hughenden
Enjoy the symmetrical flower beds, clipped topiary and stonework of the formal garden design, or take a wander through the productive beds of the walled garden.
The estate at Hughenden
Explore the parkland on one of three colour-coded walks, with its carefully designed views, rare chalk stream and medieval church.
The history of Hughenden
Hughenden is best known as the country home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, and more recently as a top-secret map-making facility during the Second World War.
