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Christmas at Lacock

Two visitors in the cloister looking at one of the Christmas Trees decorated for Lacock's Community Christmas Tree Festival, Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
Visitors in the Cloister during the Community Christmas Tree Festival | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

The Christmas lights will shine bright again at Lacock for 2023, with Christmas trees twinkling in every corner and a festive Storytime with extra special Christmas guests. We may be biased, but we think a visit to Lacock is just the thing to get you in the festive spirit. The Abbey grounds, courtyard, cloister and Great Hall will be in a seasonal mood every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day), with our Christmas trail running from 25 November until the end of the school holidays.

Storytime with Mother Christmas

The Servant's Hall will be transformed into a cosy Christmas grotto for 2023. Mother Christmas will be taking a break from her busy schedule (she works very hard behind the scenes you know!) to share a story, song and gifts from Father Christmas' present sack. She'll be hosting storytime sessions in the grotto every weekend from Saturday 2 December until the 17 December, with special Toddler Time sessions on Friday 8 and 15.

Book tickets for Christmas events here

Christmas in the courtyard

Father Christmas will be parking his sleigh in the Courtyard (perhaps he's partial to a cream tea from the Courtyard Tearoom?) so you can take a festive snap with the willow reindeer.

The Tudor Bakehouse will be transformed into a pop-up mail room ready to deliver your Christmas post to the North Pole. Do you have a message for Father Christmas this year?

The Great Hall at Christmas

25th November - 24th December

Whilst the rest of the house is closed for the annual deep clean, the Great Hall is re-opened for the Christmas period, with traditional decorations and an impressive tree which makes a great backdrop for a festive selfie.

The Hall dressed for Christmas at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, there is a Christmas tree covered in lights and green and white decorations. The statues on the wall are in shot, and a wreath decorates the door in the background
Lacock Great Hall dressed for Christmas | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Community Christmas Tree Festival

One of Lacock's best-loved traditions returns in 2023 with a display of Christmas trees decorated by local community groups, charities and schools, all displayed in the Cloister.

This year's theme is 'Light Struck' inspired by the current exhibition in the Fox Talbot Museum by artist and photographer, Ellen Carey. Each community group will be tasked with incorporating as much light, colour and creativity into their decorations as possible. Visitors will be able to scan a QR code or complete a voting slip to vote for their favourite.

Children's Reindeer Trail

The stars are twinkling and the reindeers are flying once more! From November 25 pop into Visitor Reception to collect a reindeer trail (£2) and follow the reindeers around the village and abbey grounds. Did you meet all the reindeers and play their games last year? Come back in 2023 for another chance to pick up a festive prize! This year the trail is inspired by the aurora borealis and promises a magical, colourful adventure.

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

Seasonal food and drink

During a day of sight seeing and gift shopping in the village, the Stables Café will have seasonal specials for all the family . The Courtyard Cafe by the abbey will be open weekends and during the school holidays, with craft packs available with purchases for anyone wanting to add their own decoration to a Lacock tree.

Christmas shopping

Lacock’s pop-up Christmas shop returns to the Manger Barn 18 November - 3 December, and is the perfect place to pick up a stocking filler or festive treat. Find tasting sessions and meet the maker events on select days.

There are some charming independent shops in the village, including a National Trust Gift shop, so a day at Lacock provides a perfect opportunity to tick gifts off your list every year.

The second-hand bookshop in the Courtyard is also always a good shout for the bookworms in your life, open every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) with all kinds of books on offer, from biography to cookery, fiction to sport.

Row of cottages in the village at Lacock, Wiltshire

Discover more at Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum

Find out when Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum are open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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