Visiting Attingham at Christmas

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I book?

  Book through the Attingham website. Tickets for 20 to 28 December go live on the 11 December. Tickets for 29 December to 1 January go live on the 18 December. You can also book by phone on 0344 249 1895.

• If I book for the Mansion, do I need to book the Grounds as well?

  No. One booking covers both. If you book Christmas in the Mansion, your ticket includes access to the Grounds.

• What time should I arrive?

  If you have a Grounds Only ticket, please arrive within your booked 30-minute slot. If you have a Christmas in the Mansion ticket, arrive in plenty of time for your Mansion entry slot.

• How do I cancel my booking?

  If you created an account when you booked, you can amend the date or time online up to 24 hours beforehand. You can also call 0344 249 1895. If you are a member and can no longer attend, please phone 0344 249 1895 so someone else can use the space.

• If I haven’t booked, can I try my luck on the day?

  Please do not. Parking is managed carefully and from 9.30am anyone without a booking will be turned away.

• Why can’t I use the overflow car park

  Recent wet weather has waterlogged the grass overflow areas. Using them would be unsafe and risks cars getting stuck.

• Do I need to book if I arrive by public transport or by bike?

  No. You do not need to book the Grounds if you arrive without a car.

• Where else can I go if I cannot book for Attingham?

  There are several National Trust places nearby. Wenlock Edge, Comer Woods, Benthall, Shugborough, Erddig and Carding Mill Valley are all within easy reach.

• What happens after 1 January?

  The Mansion closes for winter. From this date, visits for the grounds switch to a free-flow, non-booked system and parking works on a first come, first served basis.

• What are you doing to prevent these issues in future?

  The team is also awaiting a decision on the Outdoor Hub planning application. If approved, it will open more of the estate and include a new hardstanding car park.

• Why are more tickets available than parking spaces?

  There is enough parking for everyone who books. Mansion tickets account for roughly half of the available parking. When the car parks have become overwhelmed, it was due to large numbers of unbooked Grounds Only visitors arriving. The pre-booking system now helps manage numbers.

• Why can’t you build more hardstanding now?

  The estate is Grade I listed parkland and a designated SSSI, which limits permanent development. The proposed Outdoor Hub would allow new hardstanding parking in a suitable area of the estate.

• Why not run everything on a first come, first served basis?

  Christmas in the Mansion has been pre-booked for many years because numbers inside the Mansion must be managed for safety, conservation and the experience itself. To guarantee that Mansion visitors can park, the wider site also needs a booking system. Without it, Grounds Only arrivals can overwhelm the car parks, especially on fine days, leading to long delays and disappointed visitors.

• Can I cycle in the Grounds?

  Under-5s can use trikes, starter bikes with stabilisers or balance bikes. Under-11s can use push or kick scooters.

• Why has this plan not been introduced sooner?

  The team regularly reviews how the site operates and has trialled smaller measures before moving to this approach. Wet weather patterns also affect decisions. A dry or cold season would have allowed use of the overflow car park and avoided the need for exclusive pre-booking.

• Have you considered a park and ride service?

  Work with the council has been ongoing for several years. A suitable option has not yet been found, but efforts to improve local transport links continue.