Christmas at Castle Drogo

Three visitors are stood admiring a Christmas tree in the Dining Room at Castle Drogo. The room is dark with soft Christmas lights illuminating the visitors faces — Visitors admiring a Christmas tree in the Dining Room at Castle Drogo, Devon | © Trevor Ray Hart

Christmas at Castle Drogo. Get into the festive spirit at Castle Drogo this winter. The castle will be traditionally dressed with trees, garlands and of course lights to give that feel-good glow of Christmas. With beautifully decorated rooms the castle is sure to brighten up the darkest Dartmoor day.

In the house

Christmas in the Castle

The Castle will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 29 until December 8, then daily from 13 to 23 December. The Castle will reopen between the 27 and 30 December.

See the rooms decorated to celebrate its collection and those who lived here.

Throughout the Christmas period we will have musicians in the Drawing room, storytelling in the library and the occasional visit from a certain very busy person. Keep an eye on our social media pages for updates on what’s going on each day.

At Christmas the visitor route starts at the lower back door and goes up to the Entrance hall, Library, Drawing room, Dining room, Service corridor and Kitchen. The Entrance hall and Library are accessible without having to go up or down stairs. Please ask in the visitor centre if you need step free access to these rooms.

Father Christmas is sitting on a chair in a Library the room is dark with candles in the foreground and an old fashioned lamp in the background — Father Christmas visits Castle Drogo | © Trevor Ray Hart

Around the grounds

The garden

The garden is open and provides good level access walking routes for visitors throughout the season. Winter is a great time to admire the architecture of the gardens, take in the views across Dartmoor or simply enjoy a bit more of a sheltered walk.

Winter walking

With miles of pathways throughout the Teign Gorge, winter is a great time to get out and connect with nature. Whatever the weather, the dramatic Dartmoor landscape provides the perfect backdrop for a wintry stomp.

Gravel path through trees. The trees are bare with autumn leaves falling across the path — The gardens in December at Castle Drogo, Devon | © Trevor Ray Hart

Father Christmas

Castle Drogo will not be running a bookable Father Christmas sessions this year.

For families

In the garden

Join us for family fun and take part in the outdoor Children’s trail. Can you find all of Father Christmas's reindeer hiding around the grounds? The outdoor trail is free to all visitors, normal admissions apply.

In the castle

Even on the wettest Dartmoor day, we’ve got plenty to keep families entertained inside the castle. Can you find 13 naughty elves hiding in the rooms? They're very sneaky so you'll have to be extra vigilant. Learn to play a Christmas carol on our hand bells in the Butler’s Pantry. Dance in the Service corridor with Mr and Mrs Raynor, or simply borrow a Christmas book in the library.

A woman is helping a child to walk over rocks. They have two boarder collies with them. The woman and child are wearing rain coats and wooly hats. — Visitors walking the Teign Gorge on the Castle Drogo estate, Devon | © James Dobson

Eating and shopping

Christmas food and drink

Stop in and refuel after a bracing winter walk, or recharge after a visit to the castle. Festive favourites for those with a sweet tooth include crumble topped mince pies, mincemeat brownies, gingerbread and festive spiced muffins. The cafe will also be offering their popular mulled wine and mince pie offer, with a non-alcoholic spiced apple juice alternative.

Just popping in for a cuppa? There's lots of festive hot drinks on the menu including speciality seasonal coffees and hot chocolates.

For lunches and light bites, the cafe will be offering a range of hot and cold sandwiches such as Turkey & cranberry and Brie & cranberry, or for those wanting a bit more our seasonal lunch menu will be available daily.

Christmas shopping

The Castle Drogo shop is the perfect place to find all your Christmas presents. We've got gifts for everyone. Stop by and ask the team about some of our locally sourced products. If you purchase gifts and wrapping paper our team will wrap up your gifts free of charge so you can relax and enjoy the festive period.