Christmas wishes at Kingston Lacy
What will you wish for this Christmas? If it’s a memory-making, festive family day out, Kingston Lacy’s fabulously decorated mansion, vintage carousel, and magical Christmas wishes trail will make your wish come true. From 30 November to 5 January (whole property closed Christmas Day; house closed Boxing Day)
A Christmas wish at Kingston Lacy
Discover the magic of Christmas wishes this festive season.
A house transformed by Christmas
The Kingston Lacy Wish Makers have been busy filling the house with beautiful decorations to fulfil every Christmas wish, and the whole mansion is twinkling and sparkling brightly enough to awaken everyone's festive spirit. You'll find trees twinkling with lights, tables ready for glorious Christmas feasts, and the chance to step into a Christmas wish and discover the delights of the season.
Free event (normal admission applies). Pick up your timed ticket at reception when you arrive. Please be aware visitor numbers in the house are limited for conservation reasons; tickets are issued on a first come, first served basis.
Please note: The four bedrooms on the top two floors of the house will not be viewable during our Christmas opening.
A family Christmas wish trail
But with so many wishes in the air, the Wish Makers' wish-converter-5000 (which makes hopes and dreams come true) has backfired and sent wishes flying out into the garden. Each wish is wrapped and ready for Christmas, but can't be sent without its label...
Help the Wish Makers match up labels and wishes in time to send them out for Christmas, and don't forget to add your wish to finish off the list.
No booking needed, free event (normal admission applies).
Storytelling with Santa
This festive season, join us on an adventure to find Santa in his hidden storybook nook for a cosy Christmas tale, an early gift and a photo with the man himself. Bring your child on a fantastical journey before snuggling up for an extra special storytime that will live in their imaginations forever.
Tickets cost £15 per child (up to age 12) with one accompanying adult and normal admission applies. Tickets still available for 18, 19 and 20 December. Check availability here.
Christmas outdoors
Gather friends and family in the Laundry Courtyard, festooned in foliage and twinkling lights for a taste of the festive spirit. If one of your wishes is for warming mulled wine, delicious feasts and a cheeky hot chocolate, the Stables cafe will be able to make your wishes come true.
In the shop, you can get your present wishes all wrapped up, with a wonderful collection of gifts for everyone. Don't forget to point out some of your own wishes to anyone you're with!
And if you're wishing for a moment of natural peace and quiet, there are acres of garden and woodlands to explore; take a wander through the gardens to see what's flowering at this time of year.
Share the love by tagging us on your social media pics (@NTKingstonLacy, #kingstonlacy).
Ride a vintage carousel
Children can join the fun with a ride on a vintage carousel – pick up a ticket (£3 a ride) at reception. The carousel will be turning every weekend from Sat 30 Nov to Sun 15 Dec, and then every day from Wed 18 Dec until Sun 5 Jan.
Bring everyone together to make your wishes come true, whether you meet for a warming hot chocolate with friends or just admire the seasonal sparkle throughout the property.
You might also be interested in
Eating and shopping at Kingston Lacy
Sample the delicious menu at the Stables Café or visit the National Trust shop to browse a wide range of gifts, souvenirs and local produce. There's also a second-hand book store stocking a huge selection of titles, old and new.
Discover the garden at Kingston Lacy
Relax and wander the gardens to enjoy seasonal interest at any time of year, with plenty of space for children to run, skip and play, and spaces to stop along the way.
Things to see inside the house at Kingston Lacy
Find out more about the Bankes family home. Discover art treasures and look at how a large home was used by the family and their visitors who came to stay.