A Fairytale Christmas at Polesden Lacey

A Fairytale Christmas at Polesden Lacey | © National Trust

Polesden Lacey is putting on a show stopping Fairytale Christmas experience this year nestled within the Surrey Hills. A perfect opportunity to make some wonderful Christmas memories to last a lifetime and get into the festive spirit together.

Saturday 25 November 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024

This years Fairytale Christmas extravaganza is inspired by Mrs Greville’s love for entertainment and unforgettable experiences with family and friends. So spread the word with your loved ones and enjoy scenes of A Fairytale Christmas at Polesden Lacey this winter.

Peter Pan theme decorated dining table at Polesden Lacey — Christmas decorations in the Dining Room at Polesden Lacey, Surrey | © Megan Taylor

A house fit for A Fairytale Christmas

The house will be sumptuously dressed for Christmas including a 20ft Christmas tree, enhancing the elegant interior of Polesden Lacey with some immersive fairytale scenes inspired by Mrs Greville’s classic fairytale books illustrated by Edmund Dulac. Cinderella must go to the ball so, spread some Christmas cheer to transform her pumpkin into a carriage to meet Prince Charming, see Peter and Wendy setting off to Neverland before the snow storm arrives, and tip toe past Sleeping Beauty.

Father Christmas ticket holders

(Unfortunately tickets to see Father Christmas have now sold out)

Follow the immersive Christmas displays through the house on your way to find Father Christmas. When the clock strikes midnight Father Christmas will be coming down the house chimney, waiting for you to come and visit him, as he warms up next to the fireplace after his sleigh ride from the North Pole.

Please note your 25 minute experience starts at the beginning of your time slot and please arrive at the front of the house 10 minutes before your time slot. We advise to allow plenty of time to park your car as there is no late entry.

If you are worried you may be late to your time slot because there is a queue to get into the car park, please put your car hazard lights on and we will try to fast track you to the front.

If your time slot is from 3pm onwards, please visit the rest of the house before, as the house will be closed when your experience finishes. The event is held upstairs in a historical house with no lift, so is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. We are working on having more accessible options for next year.

Follow the Fairytales around the grounds

Bring your winter woollies as there is an outdoor fairytale-inspired Christmas trail to explore. On the way you will see scenes of classic Fairytales such The Three Little Pigs, Peter Pan and see if you can find Alladin’s cave. This is a self-led trail with a trail booklet which encourages you to choose your own fairytale destiny. This trail is £3 per participating child, no booking required you can pay at Visitor Reception and collect a map, book, pencil and crayons. Please note 3.30pm will be the last chance to purchase trail tickets.

Ladies on a carousel — Visitors enjoying a ride on the Christmas Carousel at Polesden Lacey, Surrey | © Megan Taylor

Ride on the Christmas Carousel

We’re never too old to enjoy the colour and magic of a traditional carousel, with carved horses twirling around. This vintage carousel has beautiful horses of many colours, galloping harmoniously. Christmas songs jingle in the background, all bringing the festive season to life.

Carousel rides available 25– 26 November, 10.30am – 3.30pm. Then Friday – Sunday from 1 – 10 December. Daily 15 December – 2January (except 24 and 25 December).

Tickets £3 per ride, book now to guarantee a ride on the carousel

Christmas wreath making

(Unfortunately our Christmas wreath making workshops have now sold out)

Get into the festive spirit and make your own Christmas wreath at a wreath making workshop. Wreaths will be made from foliage gathered by the Rangers from the Polesden Lacey Estate. Each session lasts just over two hours. There will be mince pies and mulled wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage) to fuel creativity. The workshop will be held in the old stable block in the entry courtyard. As we will be ensuring the space is well-ventilated, it will be advisable to layer-up with warm clothes and comfortable shoes.

Spectacular sculptures

We know that the hustle and bustle of the festive season can sometimes be overwhelming, so there are also some quieter spaces with fascinating sculptures, including swans and fairytale characters dotted around the formal gardens. If you would like to visit Polesden Lacey at a quieter time, weekdays are usually the ideal time to visit, as weekends are normally busy.

Festive food

Visit the Christmas themed café for some delicious festive favourites. As well as our usual hot drinks there will be seasonal hot chocolates and hot toddies to keep you fuelled after a wintery walk around the grounds, exploring the wider estate trails or enjoying the Christmas festivities.

If you’re feeling peckish there will be some favourite winter warmers on offer for lunch and a range of delicious festive treats at the ready, to enjoy while soaking up the festive spirit.

Mince pies with star-shaped lids — A plate of mince pies | © National Trust Images/William Shaw

Christmas shopping at Polesden Lacey

Don’t forget to stop by our Christmas shop fully stocked with artisan gifts, festive accessories, and food offering plenty of choice to choose a special gift for friends and family.

A National Trust membership is the gift that keeps giving. Enquire at visitor reception to gift a membership this Christmas, creating future memories throughout the year to remember forever.

FAQ'S

We do have a car park however, sometimes car park spaces are limited, the grass overflow field has been prepared with matts and tracking to enable further spaces. There may be a short wait for parking spaces please check our website and social media before travelling.

There are also Blue Badge car park spaces are also available in the front row of the main car park.

Parking free for members and £4 all day for non-members.
Yes, there will still be scaffolding up at the front of the house, but the house remains open. Parts of the scaffolding will be decorated with a big red Christmas bow, to still ensure you get some great pictures of the house at Christmas time.

The scaffolding is in place due to essential conservation and repair work to the clock tower, which is currently leaking and causing timber to also rot. This is essential to fix, which is why the scaffolding will remain up for Christmas.

The house is also being rendered with a special silicate coating called KEIM Restauro Lasur with a tint to match the existing colour of the house, which should last for many years to come.

If you wish to support the conservation work at Polesden Lacey there is opportunity to donate at visitor reception or purchase a clock tower pin badge which also helps support towards future maintenance projects. Donations from our supporters have, in part enabled us to carry out this work. If you wish to find out more about ways to support us please speak to visitor reception or pick up a clock tower pin badge. All proceeds from these pin badges go towards the care of this special place.

A little note of thanks

Whilst you have fun and enjoy the festivities here at Polesden Lacey you are also helping us continue fund projects at Polesden Lacey for future generations to enjoy.