Festive season
Christmas at Britain's historic places
Historic houses illuminated after dark, castle courtyards filled with Christmas markets, decorated halls, winter trails and centuries-old places transformed for the festive season.
Explore by event
These events are run by the places and organisations named on each card. Land & Legacy does not sell tickets.
Christmas Markets
Markets in castle courtyards, barns and historic halls.
9 listed
Light Trails
After-dark walks through grounds and parkland.
8 listed
Decorated Houses
Houses and halls dressed for the season.
8 listed
Father Christmas
A visit with Father Christmas at a historic place.
4 listed
Carols & Concerts
Carols and concerts in chapels, halls and courtyards.
Decorated houses
Christmas at Burton Agnes Hall
Burton Agnes Hall East Riding of Yorkshire
14 November to 23 December 2026, with selected late-night openings.
Burton Agnes Hall opens for its Christmas season with the house dressed for the festivities, plus selected late-night openings with carols.
Online booking is available; some on-the-day card tickets may also be available.
Listed by Historic Houses
Photo: Raby Castle by malcolm tebbit, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Raby Castle at Christmas
Raby Castle County Durham
14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Raby Castle opens for a festive season with Christmas displays, alongside separate candlelight, Father Christmas and family experiences.
Listed by Historic Houses
Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A Trail of Tails: Christmas in the House
Dunham Massey Hall Greater Manchester
Runs daily from 20 November to 24 December 2026, with last entry at 3pm.
A family Christmas experience inside Dunham Massey House, following clues through decorated rooms to find missing presents and escaped circus animals.
Included with Whole Property admission; free for National Trust members.
Listed by National Trust
Photo: Users Tysto, Nickarse2412 on en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Christmas Memories at Wimpole Estate
Wimpole Estate Wimpole
20 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Runs from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027; check current hall opening hours for daily access.
Wimpole Hall and the wider estate are dressed for a nostalgic country-house Christmas, with decorated rooms, traditional games, seasonal crafts and community Christmas trees.
Free event with normal admission charges applying to the venue.
Listed by National Trust
Photo: Kate Jewell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
A Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas at Mottisfont
Mottisfont Abbey Hampshire
21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Mottisfont’s house is transformed for a Jack and the Beanstalk-themed Christmas, with decorated rooms, theatrical displays, games, activities and a festive family trail.
Free event; normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Listed by National Trust
Photo: Klaus with K / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Bah, Humbug! A Christmas Carol at Fountains Hall
Fountains Abbey North Yorkshire
Selected dates between 28 November 2026 and 3 January 2027; the official listing shows 12 event dates.
Fountains Hall is dressed as a Victorian Christmas inspired by A Christmas Carol, with decorated rooms, historic fireplaces, seasonal music and scenes drawn from Dickens’ story.
Free event with normal admission charges applying to the venue.
Listed by National Trust
Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Once Upon a time… Croome's Fairytale Christmas
Croome Court Worcestershire
28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027; Croome is closed on 24 and 25 December.
Croome’s house and grounds will be dressed with fairytale-themed Christmas displays from late November into early January, with scenes inspired by stories including Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid and Hansel and Gretel.
Free event; normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Listed by National Trust
Photo: Stevekeiretsu / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Robin's Tale: Christmas 2026 at Ham House
Ham House London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027; closed 24 and 25 December.
Ham House is decorated for Christmas around The Robin’s Tale, a family story inspired by a newly conserved lacquer screen, with festive trees, greenery, music and paper bird sculptures throughout the historic interiors.
Free event; normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Listed by National Trust