Festive days out at Nostell

Young visitor and family meeting Father Christmas by the open fire at Nostell — Meet Father Christmas as he relaxes by the open fire at Nostell | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Come and make festive memories to treasure at Nostell this Christmas. Experience a cosy traditional Christmas in the house before stretching your legs with a winter walk in stunning surroundings.

Explore the magic and sparkle of the house

2 December - 5 January (closed 24/25/26 December)

Join in the festivities this Christmas as the house is decorated to the nines in a timeless, traditional style. The fires will be lit, seasonal music will be playing and the trees will be twinkling with pretty lights.

Make sure you visit the exquisite Dolls' House, decked with Christmas decorations and follow the sweet smell of gingerbread to discover Nostell's finest gingerbread village.

Follow the family trail to see if you can find all of the Twelve Days of Christmas (you'll find some in the house and some in the gardens) and stop by the workshop to get stuck into some festive crafting.

Friday Father Christmas

Friday 6, 13 and 20 December

Father Christmas will be visiting the house on Fridays in the run-up to Christmas. He'll be moving around, so see if you can spot him. It's an informal experience with no bookable appointments on Fridays—an opportunity to see those little faces light up with excitement as the man in red gives them a wave and a smile. He's always happy to stop and pose for a photo.

Weekend Father Christmas

Saturdays and Sundays in December (7 - 22 December)

Book your tickets for a magical and memorable experience meeting Father Christmas as he relaxes in his cosy Nostell den. Hand-deliver your letter, share all the good things you've been doing, and listen as he tells stories of his reindeer, life in Lapland, and how he prepares for the big day. He loves telling a story, and little ones will leave with a bit of magic in their hearts.

Tickets are £5, allowing entry for up to 5 people (no gifts included).

Book tickets

A close up of iced gingerbread houses in the house at Nostell at Christmas — Follow your nose to find the gingerbread village | © Nick Singleton

Christmas craft market

30 November and 1 December

Join Forever After Collective in the Riding School where you can browse a wide range of one-of-a-kind handmade artisan arts and crafts crafted by talented local artists, designers, and makers.

Find out more

The Duke's Theatre Company present: A Christmas Carol

21, 22 and 23 November

Get into the Christmas spirit with The Duke’s Theatre Company's first indoor season; a nail-biting retelling of perhaps the most famous ghost story of all time, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. An industry leading company of five professional actors transport us to Victorian London in a new adaptation featuring original music, theatrical magic and beautiful lighting.

Book tickets

Please note: some of the rooms in the house remain closed for winter conservation during December.

Frost on the grass and trees in the parkland at Nostell — Frosty morning in January in the parkland at Nostell | © National Trust Images/Freya Raby

Wrap up for a winter walk in the gardens and parkland

Nostell is the perfect destination to stretch your legs and enjoy a refreshing winter walk. You'll see nature at its starkest, but most beautiful - especially if you're out on a morning with frost and the low winter sun glints off the lakes and buildings.

Visit the garden to see larger-than-life plant and bird sculptures and venture in to the adventure playground to find the magical fairy doors.

If you're feeling a bit chilly, call into the café for a warming hot chocolate and a slice of cake to refuel. Alternatively, head over to the wood-fired pizza trailer on a weekend to treat yourself to a freshly fired pizza with a range of tasty toppings.