An Elizabethan Christmas at Sissinghurst

Things to see and do 

 

The Yuletide Trail

Runs daily, free with standard admission*

Convert your Winter blues into Hey Nonny Nonny and discover how Christmas was celebrated at Sissinghurst over 400 years ago with our family trail. 

Let the Lord of Misrule lead you through the revels of a traditional festive season, inspired by the twelve days of Christmas. 

Explore festively decorated areas across the site, dress up as Lords and Ladies of the Manor, practice your royal greetings in the Tower, decorate a yule log, compete to be the 'Queen of the Bean', and put your children in charge for the day at our Childermas station. 

*This trail goes into the main garden where standard admission applies. Please note that puschairs are allowed everywhere on site except the garden, but we encourage visitors to bring their own baby carriers. 

 

The Mixed Blessings Choir (30 November)

Saturday 30 November, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Come and listen to an hour of jolly Christmas carols by The Mixed Blessings Choir that is sure to put you in a festive mood.

 

Aesme Studio's garden display

Monday 3 November 2024 - Friday 28 February 2025 

Visitors can now view a brand new floral installation at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in collaboration with flower studio Aesme Studio.

Offering visitors something a little different, this inviting garden display sits at the bottom of the Elizabethan Tower and around the entrance archway, emphasising an already beautiful vista.

Colourful dried flowers, rose hips, vines, berries, and cherry trees form centre pieces in several large urns.

The display will be refreshed each month of its run to reflect the delicacy of the changing seasons.

You can watch a short film about the garden in November and the process of how the installation was designed here.

 

Wreath making workshops 

Using natural materials and foliage from around Sissinghurst's garden and estate, create your very own Christmas wreaths to take home with you. 

Workshops will be held on :

• Friday 29 November at 10:30am - 12:30pm (Sold out) and 1pm - 3pm (Sold out)
• Tuesday 3 December at 1pm - 3pm (Sold out)
• Friday 6 December at 10:30am - 12:30pm (Sold out)

 

Radical Relationships: a display

'Radical Relationships' continues in the Library (Big Room) until 30 March 2025. This display of objects, letters and books – many on show for the first time - puts Sissinghurst Castle Garden at the heart of a 20th century network of culturally influential people.

Christmas lunches

Our ever-popular Christmas lunches are back between Monday 2 December and Sunday 22 December.

Check out our menu here, and get in touch with us at sissinghurst@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 01580 710700 to find out how you can enjoy this year's festive feast. 

All Christmas lunches must be booked in advance to secure your space. 

Seasonal drinks

Hot chocolate and mulled wine are must-haves in the colder months. Warm yourself up in the Granary Restaurant or Old Dairy Cafe with a hot beverage and fill your bellies with one of our hearty meals on offer. 

All food and drink is to be enjoyed outside of the garden due to conservation purposes. 

Shopping

Discover a wide range of festive favourites from our nostalgic advent candles and calendars, to our bright and bold sustainable fabric tinsel and quirky felt decorations.

As the nights draw in, bring a sense of calm, wellness and winter comforts to your home with our Blue Spruce and Frosted Pine Reed Diffuser and indulge with our selection of Christmas drink and food from local suppliers.

Planning your visit

During our Christmas period, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is open seven days a week between 10am - 4pm, with last entry to the garden at 3:15pm. Please note we are closed on 24 and 25 December. 

There is no need to book your entry ahead of your visit. 

We ask visitors to be mindful that during the cold and wet months we will not have access to our overflow car park. This means we may have to close the main car park for short periods throughout the day to allow for more spaces to be cleared.  

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions section.