Christmas at Croft Castle

A large Christmas tree in front of a fire place, with portraits on the wooden walls and dim lighting. — Make your Christmas magical at Croft Castle | © Kie Cummings

Experience a traditional Christmas at Croft this year with twinkling trees and cosy décor inside the castle and winter illuminations throughout the garden. Join in with festive carol singers on selected dates, meet Father Christmas and treat yourself to a seasonal treat and warming drink in the Carpenters tea-room.

Christmas opening dates

Saturday 18 November – Saturday 23 December

From Monday 6 November, Croft Castle will move to winter opening. This means that on weekdays the castle will be open for guided tours only. The castle will be open as usual on weekends.

Wednesday 27 December - Sunday 7 January

From Wednesday 27 December, the castle will be open daily. There will be no guided tours of the house during this time.

A Christmas mystery at Croft Castle

It's the 1920s and you are cordially to Croft Castle's Christmas party! Discover the castle decorated as it would have been 100 years ago, with twinkling trees, cosy décor, and handmade decorations created by our team of house volunteers.

As you explore, you may notice something amiss, but a priceless family heirloom has gone missing during the party preparation! As you wander around the castle, read through the signs and spot the different clues in each room to unravel this Christmas mystery and figure out who might be responsible for the missing heirloom.

Vintage toys around a fire place, with rocking horse and small train set. — Visit Croft Castle this Christmas | © Kie Cummings

Croft's 1920s childrens trail

From glittering decorations to favourite toys, discover how Christmas was celebrated 100 years ago. Follow this festive trail around the gardens and discover Christmas in the 1920s at Croft Castle.

This trail will be running from 18 November to 7 January. Trails cost £3 per child and include a bag, colouring sheet, colouring pencils, and a prize.

Other festive events

The Carpenters tea-room will be offering warming treats and a cup of tea
The parkland will be open from 10am to 4pm for frosty winter walks.

Croft castle lit up in blue light in the dark. In the foreground you can see people playing with light up hula hoops and stings of fairy lights along the path. — Make your Christmas magical with our after-dark winter lights show at Croft Castle | © Kie Cummings

Illuminate 2023 has now finished

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Illuminate shows in 2023. We hope you enjoyed your visit and created lasting memories at Croft's after dark winter lights show!

Illuminate - winter lights show

Make your Christmas magical with an after-dark winter lights show at Croft Castle. Explore the castle, gardens, gothic arch and the church at night and see them magically illuminated like you've never seen before. Look out for a special sparkle in the ancient trees as they're lit up in the Christmas winter light show.

Indoors, the castle will be dressed for Christmas with greenery from the estate and hand-made decorations created by local community groups and the team of volunteers.

There will be a ‘glow arena’ for children to hula and skip the lights away and don't miss the variety of caterers offering seasonal fare each evening.

This event will be taking place on the following dates: