Skip to content

'A Gift for Christmas' at Charlecote Park

A Christmas tree with soft pink decorations stands in the golden Drawing Room
Discover Charlecote as you've never seen before. | © Shaun Fellows

This Christmas, Mary Elizabeth and George Lucy, the Victorian owners of Charlecote Park, invite you to their Christmas party. Wander around the bedecked house and outbuildings to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, follow the free Christmas trail, or pop to the shop or cafés to purchase a delicious treat. Until 5 January 2025 (closed 25 December)

A house fit for a Christmas party

The sumptuous Victorian home at Charlecote Park is elaborately dressed for a Christmas party. Imagine that Mary Elizabeth and George Lucy, the Victorian owners of Charlecote Park, are inviting you to their Christmas party. Collect your "invitation" at the Visitor Reception, and wander around the bedecked house and outbuildings to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit. Discover the favourite pastimes and objects of the Lucy family in the five dressed rooms. Outside, follow the free Christmas games trail to find which presents Mary Elizabeth could gift the servants. Visit the cafés for some delicious festive favourites, or pop to the shop to find Christmas cards, gifts and baubles.

The Christmas party and trail will be on from Saturday 30 November 2024 until 5 January 2025. The house will be open every day from 10:30am till 3pm by timed tickets (on a first come first served basis). Only the five ground floor rooms are open. Please note that the whole site will be closed on 25 December.

Champagne tower and twinkling lights
Discover the magic of Christmas past at Charlecote Park | © National Trust / Shaun Fellows

The Servants' Wishlist Trail

Mary Elizabeth Lucy, the mistress of Charlecote Park, forgot to buy Christmas presents for her staff.  What could she offer the house maid, the gamekeeper or the laundry maid? Follow the trail around the Service Courtyard and solve riddles to help Mary Elizabeth find what presents to gift her servants.

 
Dates: Saturday 30 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025 (closed 25 December) 
Time: 9:30am – 4pm each day, last admission 3pm 
Price: FREE, admission prices also apply
Audience: This trail is suitable for all audiences, including children (from 6-7 years old) and adults.
Booking: Booking is not needed, as you can follow the trail at your own rythm throughout the day. Weekends are busy during December so we encourage weekday visits wherever possible if you prefer to avoid the crowds.

Please note that most trail stops are indoors, and therefore not on the dog walking route. You do not need a house ticket to join in the trail.

A trail board stands in the Gatehouse among Christmas decorations
Follow the trail to find out what the servants would like for Christmas | © National Trust/Shaun Fellows

Gift-giving & Christmas shopping

Don’t forget to stop by our Christmas shop, situated just behind the Victorian Kitchen, situated in the old servants' hall. The shop is fully stocked with artisan gifts, festive accessories and food offerings for those special gifts for friends and family.

Or why not gift a National Trust membership to a loved one? Enquire at Visitor Reception about membership, and get ready to create future memories with your loved one.

Christmas in a nutshell

  • House: Enjoy the decorated house from Saturday 30 November till Sunday 5 January (closed 25 December). Collect a timed ticket (or "invitation") at Visitor Reception when you arrive.
  • Trail: Follow the free Servants' Wishlist Trail around Charlecote Park.
  • Deer park walks: The parkland will be open every day from 9am - 4pm with last entry at 3pm to explore the frosty grounds. 
  • Eating & Drinking: Warm up with a hot chocolate and other delicious festive treats from one of our food outlets.
  • Shopping: Browse a selection of eco-friendly and sustainable gift ideas in the Servants' Hall Shop.
  • Dogs: Continue to be welcome along the designated dog walking routes in the parkland.
  • Access: Hire out a tramper for free to help you explore the parkland this winter – contact us to book it in advance.
  • Car Park: Due to limited space in the car park, we recommend arriving before 11am or after 2pm on the busiest days (weekends from mid-December onwards, bank holidays, week between Boxing Day and New Year).

FAQs

A view of the courtyard and Tudor Gatehouse taking centre stage, framed by frosty lawns and dark topiary, against a wintry, blue sky.
Enjoy a visit out in the landscaped deer park at Charlecote this winter. | © National Trust/Jana Eastwood
A frosty winter morning at Charlecote Park, Warwickshire
Article
Article

Exploring the parkland at Charlecote Park 

Walk through an estate brimming with wildlife, from fallow deer to spotted Jacob sheep, and find out what else there is to see on a visit to Charlecote Park in Warwickshire.

Dogs on a walk at Charlecote Park
Article
Article

Visiting Charlecote Park with your dog 

Charlecote Park is a two-pawprint rated place. There's plenty of space to explore with your dogs along our special walking routes. With acres of beautiful parkland to visit, come and wander with your four-legged friend.

Pot of tea and cup
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Charlecote Park 

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack with your dog or relaxing lunch with friends, we’ve got a choice of places to eat, drink, and shop at Charlecote.

Visitors in the Drawing Room at Charlecote Park, Warwickshire
Article
Article

Things to see and do in the house at Charlecote Park 

Discover a fine example of a Victorian home at Charlecote Park, with its vast collection of treasures and immaculately preserved Victorian kitchen and outbuildings.

A young girl admires a rocking horse in the collection at Cragside, with an illuminated Christmas tree out of focus in the foreground of the image
Article
Article

Family-friendly things to do at Charlecote Park 

Entertain the whole family this autumn at Charlecote Park. Picnic, play and explore the estate, and spot the wild deer herd, the flock of Jacob sheep, as well as lots of wildlife.