Christmas at Shugborough Estate

Published:: 10 September 2023

Bauble decorations on a Christmas tree — Christmas baubles on a tree at Shughborough Estate, Staffordshire | © National Trust Images/David Goacher

Add some extra special festive sparkle to the most wonderful time of the year here at Shugborough Estate. As darkness falls, lights and music fill the air during Luminate Shugborough’s Winter Lights Trail or join us during the day for festive fun as we celebrate a Shugborough Christmas.

This Christmas here at Shugborough we're bringing the outside in, to celebrate the fabulous seasonal highlights that can be seen throughout the year.

The mansion and servants quarters will be dressed in Christmas splendour, showcasing the fabulous seasonal moments from across the estate, such as wisteria, autumn colour or inspired by nods to the seasons from the historic collections.

Acccesibility at Christmas

We know that Christmas can be a challenging time for those with additional sensory needs, and so here at Shugborough we want to make sure our Christmas experience can be enjoyed by all. This festive season we are trialling our Christmas Quiet Hours and Sensory Packs.

Quiet Hours:

Quiet hours will take place in the Mansion every Wednesday and Sunday. Within these times slots elements of the Christmas Experience will be adjusted to create an overall less sensory stimulating space by doing things such as dimming the lighting, reducing music/background noise.

Sensory Packs:

Sensory Packs including, ear- defenders and fidget toys are available from Visitor Reception and the Mansion.

Buggy Service and Trampers:

We have a buggy service that runs from Visitor Reception to the Mansion daily. We have trampers available on a prebooked basis. To book please email shugtramper@nationaltrust.org.uk

Feedback?

If you have any feedback surrounding this offer, or accessibility across the estate please get in touch via shugborough@nationaltrust.org.uk

Events and Activities this Christmas

Christmas Crafts
'What is Rudolph Baking' Family christmas trail
Christmas Carols with Lichfield Catherdral Chorus
Festive Storytelling
Candle Making Workshop with South Staffordshire Beekeepers

Please head to the events page for more information.

Luminate Shugborough: create new family traditions this winter

A spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses.
As darkness descends, join Luminate, here at Shugborough estate on an enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the stunning, historic grounds of Shugborough Estate. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music.

Luminate Shugborough will run nightly from Friday 1 December - Sunday 24 December. Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance.

The winter lights trail is a third-party event and is run by Luminate. For bookings and enquiries please head to the Luminate website: https://luminate.live/shugborough-estate

Winter highlights

As you walk towards the house the garden will be glowing in the winter sun. Look out for the following on your winter wander:

Snowdrops

This is the perfect time of the year to see the wonderful specks of white scattered across the parkland. Head over to the tennis courts where you can see the snowdrops and the evergreens. On the ornamental bridge, look out for a carpet of snowdrops. This is a lovely secluded spot, where you can escape the bustling world.

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Preparing for the year ahead

The walled garden is a preparation area at this time of year, just how it would have been in the 19th century. We have garlic growing in the beds and our team have been sowing thousands of bulbs ready for the New Year.