Skip to content

Christmas at Rowallane Garden

Children posting their letters to Father Christmas in the Conservatory at Christmas at Rowallane Garden, County Down
Children posting their letters to Father Christmas in the Conservatory at Christmas at Rowallane Garden, County Down | © James Beck

Join us over the winter season for a homemade Christmas at Rowallane Garden. Look out for alternative Christmas trees on a family-friendly trail through the garden, learn how to make your own decorations, and enjoy a variety of fun festive activities.

Yuletide Christmas Market

14-15 December, 10am - 4pm

After a long wait, we’re decking the halls, prepping the stalls and bringing back this much-loved family favourite. Back by popular demand, local traders return to the Stableyard for a weekend of festive fun.

Get in the Christmas spirit with us as you browse the stalls in search of those special gifts, take in the smells of the season and hear the sounds of choirs floating through the garden.

While you’re here, look out for Santa! He may just be out for a walk around the garden and we’re sure he’ll be happy to meet you!

Santa Letter Trail

1 December – 24 December, 10am – 4pm

Have you written a letter to Santa? Come and post it with us to make sure your Christmas wishes make their way to the North Pole in time for the big day. Follow the arrows across the garden and solve clues along the way to work out Santa’s postcode.

This festive fun filled walk will lead you to our Christmas Postbox hidden somewhere in the garden. Wrap up warm and make some magic memories with us.

Deck out your Gingerbread Man

1 December, 11am - 12pm & 1pm - 2pm

Your little elves can use their awesome decorating skills to design and decorate their scrumptious gingerbread man.

Christmas Yuletide Market at Rowallane Garden
Christmas Yuletide Market at Rowallane Garden | © Christmas Yuletide Market at Rowallane Garden

Other activities to look out for this winter.

Cones and Conifers walk

Daily, 10am – 4pm

In Rowallane House you will find a display of different Cones and Conifers found across the garden. From here you will be able to pick up a walk sheet and go off into the garden and find the trees where they grow.

Using your keen navigation skills, find the compass points in the garden to lead you to each fascinating tree along the walk.

Family walking in Rowallane Garden, County Down in November

Discover more at Rowallane Garden

Find out when Rowallane Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

Christmas at Powis Castle, Powys
Article
Article

Historic houses decked out for Christmas 

Step back in time and experience a historic Christmas first-hand. From the 1800s to the 1980s, see houses decked out with decorations from across history at the places in our care.

People are seen making Christmas wreaths using holly and other materials at Knole in Kent

Christmas craft workshops 

Join a Christmas craft workshop to learn how to create colourful decorations and memorable gifts, all in beautifully festive surroundings.

Children amongst the plants at Rowallane Garden, County Down in October
Article
Article

Things to do at Rowallane Garden 

Discover one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful gardens and explore the Victorian pleasure grounds, walled garden and woodland. There's something to see all year round.

Visitors enjoying their refreshments in the cafe at Rowallane Garden, County Down
Article
Article

Eating at Rowallane Garden 

You can come to Rowallane Garden for a long stroll in nature and stay for a cuppa and light bite in the café.

Visitor on PMV at Rowallane Garden
Article
Article

Accessibility at Rowallane Garden 

The National Trust is for everyone, and at Rowallane Garden our team have been working hard to improve accessibility across the garden to enable more visitors to enjoy and explore this special place.