Christmas at Waddesdon Manor

Christmas Carnival - both inside and out, our displays take inspiration from the wondrous festivals and celebrations conjured up by Waddesdon's treasured artworks - from sumptuous feasts, lavish gifts and masked balls to theatre, fancy dress and fairy tales - there's something for everyone.

Bring the family and share a festive day out gazing at the decorated house, exploring our biggest ever Christmas fair, indulging in celebratory foods and shopping for gifts. From dusk, the grounds will come to life with a new light show created by the Guildhall School, projected onto the Stables and inspired by the objects, architecture and gardens of Waddesdon. Beyond the Aviary you'll discover a light trail that playfully combines colour, sound and movement and the front of the Manor will be bathed in light. Inside the decorated rooms you'll find dazzling decorations and trees sparkling with light.

Decorated rooms in the House at Christmas at Waddesdon Manor, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire Play Video

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 Nov-2 Jan 2019 including Mon 31 Dec & Tue 1 Jan 2019 (closed 24-26 Dec)

House tickets

Advance booking only for decorated rooms in the House for all visitors including National Trust and Art Fund members. Note: a limited number of rooms in the house are decorated for Christmas, while others are closed for conservation and cleaning.

Grounds only

National Trust members & Under 5: Free
(ticket valid from 11am-6pm, on the day of your visit)

Grounds and house

All house tickets must be booked in advance. There will be no House tickets for sale on the day.

National Trust members: £5 adult, £2.50 child, £12.50 family (up to 2 adults + 3 children)
(house ticket valid for time slot chosen)

House tickets have Sold Out on the following dates: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 Dec 2018

BOOK NOW

Weekend Parking Arrangements

Until 16 December we have special parking arrangements for weekend visits to our Christmas Carnival. Please read this important information before your journey.

Parking arrangements>

Beautiful decorations along Armoury Corridor
Armoury corridor decorated for Christmas at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Beautiful decorations along Armoury Corridor

Umissable Christmas Carnival highlights

Decorated rooms

11.30am-6pm, Wed-Sun, from 10 Nov - 2 Jan 2019
This year the house decorations have taken inspiration from the wondrous festivals and celebrations conjured up by Waddesdon's treasured artworks. You'll find dazzling decorations and trees sparkling with lights.

Guildhall School 3D light projections

11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov - 2 Jan 2019
Arrive at the Stables and walk through our tunnel of light, from dusk be met by beautiful light animations projected onto the walls, and then follow the festoon lit playground path back to the Manor, with sounds accompanying your journey. All created by students from the Guildhall School.

Aviary garden light trail

From dusk-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov - 2 Jan 2019
The whole family will enjoy following our illuminated light trail. See the trees and bushes lit up with a rainbow of colours. Walk through a brightly sparkling portal and see glitter balls and wine bottles hanging from branches.

Christmas fair at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Waddesdon Christmas Fair 

11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, Sat 10 Nov - Sun 16 Dec. A week longer than ever before, our market in front of the house is a shopping experience not to be missed. Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas with 86 hand-selected exhibitors all house in charming wooden chalets. Find a great selection of unusual Christmas gifts and festive foods. Normal garden admission applies.

Kids running at Christmas at Waddesdon Manor

Get the family together this Christmas at Waddesdon 

Create treasured memories by attending a family event or just soak up the magic of Christmas at Waddesdon in Buckinghamshire.

Start a tradition today

Christmas food and drink

Somewhere warm to sit and snack

Our Powerhouse across from the Manor Shop courtyard is warm and cosy. Grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine from the food-to-go coffee bar and enjoy traditional cakes or sandwiches made in the kitchens.

Festive lunches in the Manor

11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov - 2 Jan
Enjoy a delicious festive lunch in the Manor Restaurant this Christmas.

See the Christmas lunch menu (PDF / 0.3MB) download

Festive afternoon tea in the Manor

11am-5pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov - 2 Jan
Savoury treats and delicious sweet fancies, created in-house by Craig, our talented head patissier, served with a glass of prosecco.

See the Christmas afternoon tea menu (PDF / 0.2MB) download

Winter Wigwam

11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov-2 Jan
Snuggle up in our Winter Wigwam with sheepskin rugs and wool blankets. Be warmed by one of our hearty seasonal hot pots, made in-house by our Chefs, choose from turkey hot pot, beef stew, vegan curry and options for the kids.

The Treaterie

11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov-2 Jan
You'll find toasted marshmallows and handmade mince pies in the Treaterie down at the Stables. Last orders for stick waffles/waffles 5pm, pancakes 5.30pm.

Shop for all your tree decorations
Close up for Christmas decorations from Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Shop for all your tree decorations

Christmas shopping

Manor shop

Open 11am-6pm, Wed-Sun 10 Nov-2 Jan
Find an exclusive range of bespoke jewellery, homeware, scarves, bags and more which have all been developed from objects in the collection.

Pop-up Christmas shop

Open 11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov-23 Dec
Don't miss our pop-up Christmas shop at the Stables, with decorations, fairy lights, and unusual gift ideas for the whole family, including your much loved pets.

Wine shop

Open 11am-6pm, Wed-Sun, 10 Nov-2 Jan
Festively decorated and stocked full of great wines for your Christmas and New Year celebrations. Choose from individual bottles to boxed gift cases.

Online shop

Always open
If you get get to us in person, you'll find a great selection of unique gift ideas, food items, stationery and books. Together with our impressive range of Waddesdon own and guest wines. Perfect for Christmas presents.

Buy gifts and wine online

Party in style at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Waddesdon Manor   Buckinghamshire

Party the night away

If you're looking for the perfect venue for a Christmas party with a difference, nothing can match the unique atmosphere of Christmas at Waddesdon, with both the Dairy and Five Arrows Hotel offering party packages.

See more about Christmas parties
Winter trees in the gardens of Waddesdon Manor

Winter walks at Waddesdon 

Explore the beautiful grounds and beyond at Waddesdon this winter. Wrap up warm and burn off some of those festive calories.

Download your walks in advance

Visiting tips for Christmas

  • You may want to bring a torch too as some parking areas have limited lighting.
  • There are four buses and two big bendy buses (kids love them!) continuously shuttling visitors to the house, but if you would prefer to walk the route is lit all the way.
  • Our new, lit woodchip pathway is steep in places and after rain can become quite muddy so we don’t advise this walk for anyone with a pushchair, wheelchair or scooter.
  • Our bus queue may look long but it really does move quickly.

Staying warm

  • Please wrap up in warm clothes and wear wellies or boots.
  • The Alpine Chalet, near the Manor Shop courtyard, offers a warm place to sit and snack. You can also find warm covered seating, with sheepskins and blankets in the Winter Wigwam, where we serve hearty hotpots and drinks including mulled wine.

What’s the best time to come?

  • If you are looking for a quieter time to visit, we suggest a weekday visit. We are open Wed-Sun until 2 Jan (except 24-26 Dec).
  • The light projections and light trail are better the darker it gets.