Christmas at Blickling Estate
Inspired by the conservation of a wonderful Star Atlas by Andreas Cellarius from the Long Gallery library, this winter we invite you to Journey Through the Stars on a visit to the House. Return again for the Garden of Lights evening event to create lasting memories in one of Norfolk’s most special places.
Journey Through the Stars
Saturday 30 November until Sunday 5 January
House opens at 11am, last entry is at 2.30pm. Closed on 24 and 25 December.
Inspired by the conservation of a wonderful Star Atlas from the stunning Long Gallery, this winter Blickling presents you with the stars! Explore star-filled rooms, wonder at the skies above as you explore the story of this special book.
With light installations, family fun and games and a chance to help decorate the hall, this is an opportunity to see the Star Atlas by Andreas Cellarius, a masterpiece of Dutch mapmaking, and wonder at the creativity it has inspired.
The route through the house will take in the ground floor, basement kitchen and some of the first floor showrooms.
Enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping in the shop or pop into the second-hand bookshop in the Farmyard to browse a selection of specialist books. Tuck into delicious seasonal food and warming drinks in the Stables and Muddy Boots cafés.
Daytime ticket information
There's no need to book tickets for your visit during these times. Entry is free to National Trust members, and standard admission applies to non-members*, who can pay on arrival. *Children under five go free.
Good to know
- The house is open 11am – 3pm. Last entry to the house and garden is 2.30pm. The house, garden, shops and cafés open at 10am and close at 3pm.
- The second-hand bookshop is open and accepting donations between 11am – 3pm.
- The RAF Oulton Museum will be open Friday to Sunday 11am – 3pm from 29 November to 15 December.
- The car park closes at 3pm and will reopen at 5pm when we start to welcome visitors for evening.
- Quite hours will take place every Tuesday and Saturday between 2pm – 3pm for those who would like a calmer atmosphere.
- Please note that only assistance dogs are allowed inside the house, the garden and the east wing.
Garden of Lights at Blickling Estate
Saturday 30 November to Sunday 15 December, 5pm – 8pm*
*Last entry slot 6.30pm-6.45pm
Our biggest fundraiser of the year returns in 2024! Enter down the spectacular front drive for an evening of colourful displays and illuminations, taking you on a journey through the seasons on a new accessible level route. Step into summer in the Walled Garden, autumn on the parade, winter on the acre and the brightness of spring up at the Temple. All the seasons will be featured on the Parterre, where there will be family activities to enjoy and a chance to make lasting memories together.
Head to the festive Farmyard for food and drinks, or stop along the route and soak up the atmosphere under the stretch tent as you enjoy mince pies and warming drinks.
‘When you come for some festive sparkle, it helps us to work our magic so we can continue Blickling’s story for everyone, for ever’
- Sebastian Billing, Experience & Visitor Programming Manager
Ticket information
Everyone (including National Trust members) will need to book tickets in advance for our evening Christmas event as there won’t be any tickets available on the day.
Ticket prices:
• Adult £18
• Child* £10
• Family ticket (1 adult, up to 3 children) £32
• Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) £50
• Free carer tickets are available on request.
*Children under five go free but still require a ticket.
Good to know
- Your ticket includes parking in our main car park. Please make a note of your time slot as this is your entry time into the car park, your visit is free flow from then until 8pm.
- Please note that event tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
- The Garden of Lights has a step free route on a range of surfaces including gravel of different thicknesses, accessible matting and a small area of grass.
- Tuesday 10 December is a relaxed reduced capacity event for those who would like a quieter atmosphere.
- Mobility scooters and mountain push trikes can be pre-booked for the event by calling us on 01263738030, or emailing: blickling@nationaltrust.org.uk.
- A changing places facility is available in the Farmyard.
- Please note that only assistance dogs are allowed at the Garden of Lights event.
The front of the House will look slightly different this Christmas
Scaffolding is up on a small part of the House as part of a conservation project to repair the southwest turret roof and finial. We’re aware that illuminating the House has always provided a lovely photo opportunity and are working with lighting engineers to ensure the visual impact of this essential work is minimised during our Garden of Lights event.
Eating and shopping at Blickling Estate
Offering delicious, locally sourced and produced food, stop at one of the cafés, browse in the shop or grab a bargain in the second-hand bookshop.
Star Atlas Conservation at Blickling Estate
Conservation work has been undertaken on one of the finest atlases printed in the 1600s, Cellarius’ Harmonia Macrocosmica, which is set to go on display for the first time at the National Trust’s Blickling Estate in Norfolk later this month.
Discover the house at Blickling Estate
Discover more about Blickling Hall, in Norfolk, a Jacobean mansion thought to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, and sits in a historic park.
Discover the garden at Blickling
If you'd like to lose yourself in a garden full of character and historic features, Blickling Estate has something for every visitor.