Christmas in London and the South East

A decorated Christmas tree with presents on the floor, between two red sofas against a backdrop of richly decorated red and gold wallpaper — Richly decorated Christmas tree at The Vyne in Hamphire | © National Trust / Virginia Langer

Add a little sparkle to your festive days out in London and the South East this Christmas. Discover houses dressed to impress, enjoy winter illuminations after dark, and find the best places to meet Father Christmas with all the family.

Enjoy a magical Christmas with all the family and make memories to treasure. Discover Christmas events near you below, from a Narnia themed Christmas at Nymans in West Sussex to a Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont in Hampshire, and much more.

Mr Tumnus and Lucy walking through through snowy wood.

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Christmas at Nymans: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Step through the wardrobe into Narnia at Nymans this Christmas. See the house decorated as the Professor's home, go through the wardrobe into the world of Narnia and peek into the Beaver's burrow and Mr Tumnus' cave. Upstairs see the witch's castle, while out in the garden get together with friends and family and have a go at The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe family trail designed by TIN SHED scenery.

Nutcracker statue in front of hedge decorated for Christmas

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A Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Experience the magic of The Nutcracker at Mottisfont; as sparkling trees, music and light effects bring the story to life, with frosty wonderlands, twirling Sugar Plum Fairies, and a family adventure trail.

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A Christmas Masquerade at Polesden Lacey

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate Christmas in style at Polesden Lacey with family and friends. See the extravagantly decorated house styled as a Christmas masquerade ball, ride on the Christmas carousel and enjoy festive food and shopping.

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Shaun the Sheep™ – Find the Flock at Winkworth Arboretum

23 Nov - 19 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure at Winkworth Arboretum this festive season. We’ve teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring to life Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ with a Christmas trail around the Arboretum. Come and find twelve super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists. With fun games, children's carousel, engaging activities and delicious winter treats from the tearoom, a visit to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas will be an unforgettable day out for all ages (selected dates for some activities).

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The Snowman™ at Sheffield Park and Garden

30 Nov - 12 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Families are invited on a festive walk, re-living the magic of Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming picture book. Look out for twelve decorated sculptures of The Snowman™, along a winding wintry path, past beautiful lakes and trees. Games and activities add to the festive fun, then warm up with hot chocolate and mince pies in the cafe. On 7, 14 & 21 December 2024 The Snowman™ will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day, perfect for family photo snaps.

Visitors enjoying the Christmas decoration in the house at Hatchlands Park, Surrey

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Christmas at Hatchlands

1-31 Dec (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Soak up the magic of Christmas at Hatchlands this winter. Inspired by the carol ‘I Saw Three Ships', look out for nautical touches in the beautifully decorated rooms in the house, and enjoy family activities on the festive parkland trail.

Toys under the Christmas tree at Hinton Ampner

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An enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner

16 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Hop on a Christmas journey with us and discover the house brimming with bright Christmas colours, sparkling lights and charming festive scenes. From the world of the Ice Queen to a Woodland Ball and a Gingerbread Village there is surprise and delight around every corner. Don't miss the North Pole Workshop where our mini Santa Express train is delivering the toy parts to the elves! Christmas elves are busy making toys & games – and getting in a muddle!

The Dining Room decorated for Christmas at Hughenden

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A Nordic Christmas at Hughenden

25 Nov - 3 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate a Nordic Christmas at Hughenden, drawing inspiration from the time-honoured traditions of Northern Europe, where the enchantment of long winters is celebrated with warm light amongst the beauty of nature. With references to Norse Gods, fairytales, and traditions of the Arctic and Nordic regions in both the manor and garden. Outside, the adventure continues with a Nordic fairy tale, family trail. Set a date to meet family and friends at Hughenden to come together in a cosy Christmas setting and make lasting memories.

Get together with friends and family and experience the joys of Christmas at a National Trust place near you. Step inside beautiful historic houses glistening with festive decorations, twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Catch up over hot chocolates, venture outside for frosty walks or head to the cafe to warm up and tuck into delicious seasonal dishes.

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Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Celebrate the festive season with us at Ightham Mote with a magnificent Tudor Christmas. With a roaring fire, a Tudor feast and music of celebration there is lots for the whole family to discover and enjoy.

Brilliant gold and festooned Christmas trees in the Carved Room at Petworth, West Sussex

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A Christmas spectacular at Petworth

30 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Step into a festive wonderland at Petworth House to see showstopping trees, twinkling lights, beautifully adorned garlands and floral displays this Christmas. Explore eight of the historic showrooms dressed for Christmas and look out for some playful mice hiding amongst the display. There will be photo opportunities, and a chance to add your wish to a tree in the Chapel. Free with usual admission. Plus Christmas choirs, festive Maker's Market and lates (selected dates only for some activities).

The Lalique glass Cockerel statue with the Christmas tree in the background in the Drawing Room at Chartwell, Kent

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Churchill’s Champagne Christmas

23 Nov-23 Dec (dates vary for some activities). From Christmas markets to live carol music, wreath-making workshops to a festive family garden trail, plus the lavishly decorated house to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas 2024 at Chartwell. With so much to celebrate, you’ll want to come back to Chartwell again and again this holiday season.

A Christmas tree and decorations in The Great Hall at Knole

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A Christmas frost at Knole

23 Nov - 23 Dec (closing early on 4 Dec at 2pm). Discover sparkling trees and decorations in the showrooms, inspired by Knole’s silver collection. Then follow Knole’s wintery trail around the parkland. Lift flaps and open doors to find 12 Christmas poems along with beautiful festive illustrations.

A snowy view of the garden entrance at Sissinghurst

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An Elizabethan Christmas at Sissinghurst

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). Enjoy a festive atmosphere in our quieter months with a Yueltide family trail, traditional decorations, Christmas trees, wreaths, and more.

Christmas wreaths on the doors to the castle

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A Merry Medieval Christmas at Bodiam Castle

30 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). For 2024 at Bodiam Castle, discover Christmas medieval-style. See the castle decorated with natural foliage and greenery, listen to a stories in the castle and take part in a Christmas trail.

Close-up of baubles twinkling on a lit Christmas tree

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'Curtain Up': Christmas at Scotney

23 Nov - 5 Jan (closed 24 & 25 Dec). 'Curtain Up: Christmas at Scotney' starts on Saturday 23 November. Other favourites returning this year include bookable Christmas lunches in the Stables tea-room, 'Late Nights & Lights' events, family-friendly seasonal outdoor trail, and our North Pole letter-writing station, popular with older and younger visitors alike. (Dates vary for some activities).

There's a jam-packed programme of events running at our places across London and the South East, whether you're looking for a fun-filled family day out, or a place to enjoy Christmas decorations and festive traditions with friends. Celebrate the season at a National Trust place near you.

Family by the Christmas tree at Scotney Castle, Kent

Christmas in Kent

Kent's famous houses will be decorated for Christmases gone by, from a sparkling 1930s Champagne Christmas at Chartwell to a sumptuous Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote. Have fun on new family trails with games, activities and festive characters. Keep an eye out for visits from Father Christmas himself on select dates and locations too. There are magical late-night openings, lights events and festive fairs. And it goes without saying that our cafés and tea-rooms will be filled with warming treats and Christmas lunches. Discover what's instore at National Trust places this Christmas in Kent.

A girl looking at a festive festoon at Cragside, Northumberland

Christmas in Surrey

This Christmas we're bringing festive traditions to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintry countryside in Surrey. There's festive family fun, themed trails, glittering decorations and twinkling Christmas trees. Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure with Shaun the Sheep at Winkworth Arboretum, celebrate Christmas in style at Polesden Lacey where the Edwardian house will be dressed for a Christmas masquerade ball, and soak up the beautiful decorations at Hatchlands, this year inspired by the Christmas carol: I Saw Three Ships.

Child sitting on the bench under the colourful archway in the enchanted winter garden in the Marble Hall at Petworth, West Sussex

Christmas in Sussex

Discover the festive traditions we're bringing to life at our country houses, atmospheric gardens and wintry countryside for Christmas 2024 in Sussex.

A woman in a pale grey winter coat and beret crouching down to look at a Christmas tree with a young girl in a black long sleeved top and gold dres

Christmas in and around Hampshire

Step into an enchanting, sparkling Christmas at our historic places in Hampshire. You’ll find houses and gardens transformed with magical scenes inspired by favourite stories and fairytales, from the Nutcracker’s twirling sugar plum fairies at Mottisfont to the Snow Queen’s icy hall at Hinton Ampner.

A view of Waddesdon Manor illuminated as part of a Christmas lights event, with three lit-up Christmas trees in front of the manor and a large tree hung with bauble lights to the left

Christmas around Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Our National Trust places in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire have the essence of Christmas all wrapped up in a beautiful package of gorgeously decorated houses studded with Christmas trees and twinkling with fairy lights. It’s the perfect backdrop to festive family memories.

A glowing Christmas tree in the window of the Long Gallery at Ham House, looking really festive

Christmas in London

Enjoy the sparkle of Christmas across London with family activity trails, frosty walks around historic estates and seasonal treats this Christmas.

Christmas tree in the decorated dining room at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

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Christmas traditions from history

From silver charms in Christmas puddings to early Advent calendars, learn more about the ways our Roman, Victorian and medieval ancestors prepared for the festive season.

Man holding a child up in the air as they both smile, in the grounds at Powis Castle, Powys

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

Plan a visit

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Shaun the Sheep™ – Find the Flock: Saturday 23 November to Sunday 19 January

Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure at Winkworth Arboretum this festive season. We’ve teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring to life Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ with a Christmas trail around the Arboretum. Come and find twelve super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists. With fun games, children's carousel, engaging activities and delicious winter treats from the tearoom, a visit to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas will be an unforgettable day out for all ages.

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