Discover more in Kent
Fairy-tale castles, historic royal residences and the home of Churchill can all be found in Kent.
Christmas in Kent
Beautifully decorated houses, themed activities and workshops, family trails and delicious seasonal treats. What's not to love about Christmas with the National Trust in Kent.
Top Christmas days out in Kent
Place
Ightham Mote
Celebrate a Tudor Christmas at Ightham Mote with music, lights and scents inspired by festive seasons past throughout the manor. Marvel at the stunning hand-painted Tudor Chapel, sumptuously decorated for a festive Tudor mass. With traditional carol singing in the courtyard and special late-night openings too, there’s plenty of Christmas magic instore. Families will love the festive house and garden trails (free with admission) and dressing up box. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Chartwell
Get organised with gifts for loved ones at this year’s Christmas market (14 to 17 November, 10am to 4pm, free to enter), then come back to celebrate a Champagne Christmas at Chartwell in honour of Sir Winston Churchill's 150th birthday. Travel back in time to the sparkling 1930s festive season, with golden garlands, twinkling lights and a crackling winter fire. Feast your eyes on a very special birthday cake, and venture upstairs for a glimpse of how Lady Clementine Churchill prepared for the Christmas season. Chat to our room guides for tales of Chartwell Christmases gone by, as festive music merges with the delicate clinking of champagne flutes. There’s a chance to book onto a series of festive workshops too. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Scotney Castle
It’s festive show time in the mansion at Scotney Castle with decadently decorated rooms inspired by the Hussey family's love for the performing arts. Spot your favourite stories from pantomime, ballet and film, brought to life with beautiful items from Scotney’s vast collection. Magical late-night lights and the North Pole letter-writing station will be back, as well as the delicious Christmas lunches and treats. Families can run off steam along the garden trail.
Place
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
This festive season will be inspired by Sissinghurst's Elizabethan history with magical displays, decorations and christmas trees. The centrepiece is a stunning floral installation around the Elizabethan tower archway leading into the gardens, created by Aesme Studio. The carefully crafted arrangement, including seasonal hellebores and clematis, will transform the winter landscape. Families will find festive fun in the Elizabethan play tent, trail and craft activities. There will also be wreath-making workshops using natural materials from the estate.
Place
Knole
Trees, decorations and Christmas music will fill a selection of the historic Showrooms, with sparkling displays inspired by Knole’s silver collection (Christmas in the Showrooms 23 Nov to 23 Dec, free with admission). Objects normally tucked away in the Kings Room will take centre stage across the Showrooms, alongside towering trees draped with pure white and frosted decorations. Climb the spiral stairs in the Gatehouse Tower for panoramic views of the parkland and a chance to immerse yourself in the 1930s-inspired festive atmosphere. Or wrap up and head into the parkland for a festive family adventure trail (23 Nov to 7 Jan). Sign up for a creative Christmas workshop, from wreath and garland making to working with fused glass. Pre-book admission to Knole to guarantee entry. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Quebec House
On weekends in the run-up to Christmas, the doors to the childhood home of General James Wolfe, victor of the Battle of Quebec (1759), will be thrown open for a Georgian Christmas party. Star of the show is the show-stopping Georgian feast with gingerbread house, marzipan hedgehog, Twelfth Cake and jellied fruits in every colour of the rainbow. Roaring fires and parlour games add to the authentic, cosy atmosphere, with natural greenery around every banister and mantlepiece inspired by festive traditions of the period. In the kitchen, try delicious bakes, prepared from the cookbook of Wolfe's mother, Henrietta. Head over the Coach House for a taste of Mrs Wolfe’s hot chocolate and a mince pie.
Christmas at our places nearby
Place
Bateman's
Enter the jungle and a world of festive warmth, colour, tradition and creativity. The world-renowned author of ‘The Jungle Book’, Rudyard Kipling, lived here for over 30 years. Discover the animals from his much-loved tale around the house. Little ones can spot the tiger tree and Baloo, as well as a special Christmas cake inspired by the story. Golden Christmas trees celebrating Kipling’s love of India will be hung with hand-crafted jewels, fruits and flowers. Browse original Jungle Book-inspired art by local artist Claire Fletcher, perfect as a special Christmas gift, and pop into the Mulberry Tea-Room for a warming treat. ‘The Jungle Book Christmas’ runs 16 Nov to 5 Jan 2024, free with admission. Closed 24 & 25 December.
Place
Bodiam Castle
The castle will be decorated with natural foliage and greenery for a medieval-style Christmas. Pop down for live music in the courtyard on weekends in December (dates tbc). Families can meet festive characters on select weekends and get stuck into feast-inspired games and activities on the ‘Merry Medieval Christmas’ trail (£3 per trail with prize. Suitable clothing for outdoors advised). Settle into the cosy, grotto-style tower room for enchanting tales of dragons, knights and castles on select weekends in December (free with admission). Medieval Christmas at Bodiam Castle runs 30 Nov to Sun 5 Jan, free with admission. Closed 24 & 25 December.