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 is closed on Sunday 22 December

Due to the forecast of high winds, Cotehele and Cotehele Mill will be closed on Sunday 22 December. We look forward to welcoming you back another day.

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.

Visiting the house this Christmas

Please note that from 23 November - 5 January only the Hall, Kitchen, Breakfast Room and Victorian Library within the house will be open. The rest of the house is closed to allow us to complete conservation tasks we usually can't do when we're open.

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Video

Creating Cotehele's Christmas Garland - take a peek behind the scenes

In this video hear from Head Gardener Dave Bouch who, in 2024, celebrates his 20th year of creating the Garland at Cotehele. Find out more about the months of hard work and preparation that go into creating this beloved Christmas tradtion.

View of the 2023 Garland in the hall 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.

Christmas cards hang on a wall and stand on a mantlepiece — Our Christmas collection for 2024 has introduced more recycled materials | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Search for the perfect gift

Get this festive season merrily underway with our range of Christmas essentials, inspired by the special places we care for. From Christmas garlands to Christmas Eve games, festive tree decorations and luxury Christmas biscuits, find inspiration to make the holidays extra special this year.

Visit the Bull Pen Gallery for unique gifts lovingly made by artists and makers from across the West Country and beyond.