Your guide to Christmas at Polesden Lacey

Parking

We are expecting to be very busy over the next few weeks, as we welcome as many visitors as possible to enjoy our spectacular Christmas scenes and activities. Please leave plenty of time to get to the car park. Follow the signs and talk to our staff who will direct you where to park and answer any questions you may have. Parking is £4 or free for National Trust members – don’t forget to scan your card at the parking machine.

Arrival and getting in

We cordially ask all National Trust members to bring their own, individually named memberships cards to show at visitor reception. This will help speed up your entry into the house and garden. You can also ask questions at visitor reception, sign up for membership, collect a Christmas map and pay for carousel rides (£3.50, on the days it is running) and the family trail in the garden (£5, includes special gift).

Timings and accessibility

We are open daily over the festive season apart from 24 and 25 December. The house opens at 10.30am with last entry at 3pm – the rest of the property remains open until 4pm. Quiet hours will run every Thursday morning (except Boxing Day) between 10.30am and 11.30am for anyone who would prefer to explore the house at a quieter pace with no music and fewer people. Ask at visitor reception about hiring a wheelchair, or to pre-book one of our scooters, call in advance on 01372 452048.

Practicalities

Portaloo cabins are available in the grounds as well as the usual toilet facilities (including disabled facilities and baby changing areas) opposite the coffee shop and next to the café. On days when the carousel is running, there will also be accessible portaloo cabins available with baby changing facilities.

Other things to do

Don’t forget to pop into the gift shop to pick up some unusual and beautiful Christmas presents – dogs are now welcome inside the shop. Grab a hot drink or a bite to eat in the café, coffee shop and food and drink stalls outside the house. Finally, take time out of your busy schedule to explore the grounds and wider estate and see the important work our gardeners and rangers have been doing in recent weeks.

The team at Polesden Lacey wishes you all a wonderful festive season and a magical time exploring our Christmas Masquerade.

Family fun

In the grounds, families can follow our children’s trail and help Grizwald the Griffin prepare for the masquerade ball. Enjoy fun activities, complete your trail sheet and collect a special cuddly toy dog at the end. No need to book in advance – trail sheets cost £5 each and can be purchased at visitor reception. Please keep hold of your trail sheet and present it at the end to receive your gift. One gift per trail sheet.

There is a vintage carousel outside the house, running on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It will also run on Monday 23 December and daily between 26 December and 5 January. You can pre-book a slot before you visit by calling 0344 249 1895 (bookings not refundable). Or you can buy a ticket on the day from visitor reception and in front of the house (subject to volunteer availability) – cash or card.

The gift shop has lots of fun Christmas gift ideas for all ages, while food and drink is available in the café and coffee shop (daily) and in front of the house (when the carousel is running) to keep little ones going.