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Christmas at Hardwick Hall
Experience old English tales of misrule and the Holly King at Hardwick Wintertide.
Hardwick Wintertide | 17 November – 4 January
Wintertide is celebrated every year at Hardwick to share Elizabethan winter traditions around themes of community, celebration and connection. These winter traditions include Yule (Christmas), the Feast of Fools (New Year Day), as well as gift giving and carol singing, and are centred around Elizabethan characters and folklore like the Lord of Misrule and the Holly King.
This year’s theme is The Tale of Misrule and the Holly King.
The Lord of Misrule invites you back to his festivities as his esteemed party guests at Hardwick. Along your journey through the gardens and hall, expect to hear stories of Wintertide past through the Tale of Misrule and the Holly King. A time when the mischievous Lord of Misrule chose not to adhere to tradition and favoured himself & playfully preparing for his party, over taking care of the annual offerings to the Holly King and winter spirits.
As you step into the hall this Wintertide all is not what it seems, the house has been turned upside down as the natural world runs riot. Will the Lord of Misrule make merry with the Holly King and help un-muddle Hardwick before it’s too late? Find out on your next visit to Hardwick Wintertide.
This event is free for National Trust members. For non-members, please check our standard entry ticket prices.
Additional information for planning your visit over Christmas
- The hall can be quite busy at the opening times at the start of the day, this is 11am on standard opening days and 12.30pm on late night opening days.
- The museum rooms and the middle floor will be closed during this time for conservation cleaning.
- The processional route will be dressed for Wintertide, and some collection items may be obscured.
- Please note that last entry to the Hall is at 14.15 on standard opening days, and 19:15 on evening opening days.
- The Old Hall will be closed until Spring 2026.
Late night openings
Hardwick Wintertide after hours is truly a spectacular experience. Delight in a mulled wine in the gardens and enjoy seeing the mansion in a whole new light. Save the dates:
- 28 & 29 November
- 5 & 6 December
- 12 & 13 December
- 19, 20, 21 & 22 December
There’s no need to book in advance as there will be free flow entry from 12.30pm - 8.00pm, with last entry at 7.15pm.
Hardwick Wintertide Gallery
Click through the magic and mischief of Hardwick Wintertide past in our photo gallery. Please note that the displays for 2025 will differ to the displays shown in the gallery.
Enter a party in full swing!
Step into the Hall and feel the warmth of festive cheer from the feasting display in the Entrance Hall
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Accessibility
There is level access to the shop, restaurant and the Wintertide displays in the Stableyard and Gardens with ramped access to the ground floor of the Hall. A Wintertide experience video will be available to view in the Penelope room located on the ground floor of the hall from the 24 November. This will display the upper levels of the house. The upper levels to the hall are accessible by stairs only.
What facilities are available to use at Hardwick?
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A Wintertide experience video will be available to view in the ground floor Penelope Room for anyone unable to access the top floors. Please ask a member of our team when you arrive at Hardwick. Available from 24 November.
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Accessible parking is located to the front of the car park.
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A portable hearing loop is available in the hall to use as you journey through Hardwick Wintertide. Please let us know in advance if you would like to use this by calling 01246 858435 or emailing hardwickhall@nationaltrust.org.uk.
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Large Print version of the Tale of Misrule and the Holly King available from the Entrance of the Hall.
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Buggy services running from Visitors Reception to the Hall, shop and restaurant (10am – 4pm every day).
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Hire a Tramper or wheelchair to manoeuvre around the gardens with ease free of charge, donations welcome. Trampers must remain outside when visiting the hall. Pre-booking is advised (01246 858435).
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Changing Places facilities are located in the Stableyard.
Wintertide workshops and events
Get into the festive spirit and take part in some brand new workshops at Hardwick which make the perfect gifts
- Willow & Rag Wreath Making | Saturday 29 November
- Create a beautiful festive wreath from willow and fabric.Book now
- Blackwork Embroidery | Saturday 6 December
- Try your hand at historic embroidery and see its use in the Hardwicks collection whilst the hall is dressed for Wintertide.Book now
- Wintertide Late Nights: Eckington Singers | Saturday 6 December
- Visit Hardwick at night and listen to the joyous voices of the Eckington Singers.Find out more
- Woad Dyeing Shibori Silk Scarves | Saturday 13 December
- Discover the wonders of natural dyes and create a shibori silk scarf! The perfect workshop which will make a lovely gift for a loved one.Book now
- The Christmas Tudor Songbook - LIVE from the High Great Chamber
- Hear the music of the Tudor and Elizabethan Royal Courts with fun contextual explanations to engage both early music experts and beginners.Book now
- Storyfolk | Midwinter Stories
- Listen to festive songs and Elizabethan tales on the shortest day of the year.Book now
Group bookings
We are now taking group bookings for Hardwick Wintertide 2025. Group bookings will not be available after Friday 12th December 2025. Please visit our group page for more information.
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Eating and shopping at Hardwick
Enjoy tasty food and drink in the Great Barn restaurant or browse in the gift shop. Both are located within a historic setting at Hardwick.
The history of Hardwick Hall
Read how wealth, power and ambition drove Bess of Hardwick to build her grand design, filled with a treasure trove of fine furnishings that can still be seen at the Hall today.
