Christmas at Cotehele

Gardeners sorting flowers for the Garland at Cotehele | © Steve Haywood

Celebrate Christmas with a festive day out to Cotehele. Step into the hall to adore this year's Garland, grab a festive hot drink and enjoy the lights along the path to the mill, join in with a festive sing song by the tree and visit Cotehele Mill for crafts for all the family.

Cotehele’s Christmas Garland

Every year Cotehele’s gardeners build a 60-foot garland from thousands of flowers grown on the estate. A tradition since 1956, the garland adorns the Great Hall throughout Christmas. The number of flowers varies each year depending on the growing season.

Preparations for the garland began in January when the flower seeds are sown in the Cut Flower Garden. Our team of garden volunteers and staff then start picking flowers from late April which are then dried over the summer and autumn before the garland is put together over two weeks in November.

Building of the pittosporum base starts outside on Monday 11 November 2024 from 10.30am-4pm,
Work then moves inside the hall from Tuesday 12 - Thursday 21 November 2024, 10.30am-4pm,
See this year's garland in all its glory from daily Saturday 23 November 2024 - Sunday 5 January 2025, 10.30am-4pm. (Closed 25-26 December).

You do not need to book to visit Cotehele, for groups with a party size of 15 or more booking in advance is essential. Contact our team to book your group visit to Cotehele this Christmas via cotehele@nationaltrust.org.uk or calling 01579 351346.

View of the 2023 Garland in the hall at Cotehele, Cornwall — The 2023 Christmas Garland at Cotehele, Cornwall | © National Trust Images / James Beck

Christmas at Cotehele Mill

Follow the festive lights along the stream to find Cotehele Mill tucked within the Morden Valley. The mill will be decorated in traditional Victorian style and you’ll be able to discover how families like the Langsfords, who lived at Cotehele Mill, celebrated Christmas in those times.

The doors to the Saddlers, Meal Floor and the Bakery will be open for everyone to peer in and experience the sights and smells of a flour mill at Christmas time. Head to the first floor for toys to play with, costumes to adorn and craft activities to complete. Due to on-going building work at the mill this winter, we won't be able to operate the wheel to produce flour and there may be some ad-hoc closures of some spaces for everyone's safety whilst work is completed.

Open 23 - 24 November, 29 November - 1 December, 6 - 8 December, 13 - 15 December and then daily from 20 December - 5 January (closed 25 - 26 December) from 11am - 3.30pm

Walkers along the festoon lit path towards Cotehele Mill | © Trevor Ray Hart

Festive fun for everyone

Carols by the Christmas tree at Cotehele

Throughout the festive period we’re delighted to be welcoming various choirs and performers to Cotehele. Grab a hot drink and join in with a festive sing song by the tree outside the house.

With all performances being held outside, we recommend wrapping up warm in a cosy scarf. These performances are weather dependant, we might need to pull some performances at the last minute for everyone’s safety.

Who’s performing when?

Saturday 30 November - Tavistock Warblers, 1-1.45pm

Saturday 7 December - GraceNotes Acapella, 1-1.45pm

Saturday 14 December - Callington Town Band, 1-1.45pm

Lets Wassail!

On Saturday 21 December, 11am-12.30pm, come and join us for our annual Wassail as we attempt to scare away the evil spirits from the Mother Orchard to ensure their is a bumper crop next year.

Fancy dress is highly encouraged and don't forget to bring something noisy too. Meet outside Visitor Reception at 11am for the start of the procession which then heads through the garden to the orchard.