The best stately homes to visit this Christmas
There is almost nothing I love more than historic properties, and visiting stately homes at Christmas brings many places to an entirely different level of magic.
Many historic homes are decked out in era-appropriate decor, often linking to a specific decade of the property’s history. From Victorian Christmases to Tudor holidays, these houses allow us to step back into Christmas past (but without the Scrooge!). I love when the stately homes are historically accurate to their time, and Christmas really shows off the cheer of the season.
Being based in London, I have compiled my recommendations for the best stately homes to visit during the Christmastime.
Christmas stately homes in London
London is full of Christmas cheer, from the incredible Christmas light displays to charming ice rinks and beautifully decorated shops. These things are wonderful, but also loud and sometimes chaotic. If, like me, you like to seek the quieter side of London, then these houses are the perfect place to retreat into the calmness of the Christmas season.
Ham House
Richmond | £12.50, free for National Trust members
Ham House decorates in Tudor style for Christmas, with the dining room decked out for a festive meal. The decorations are simple and natural, but brings lots of Christmas cheer.
A 16th-century stately home, Ham House preserves the past with elegance and their understated Christmas displays are the perfect fit for the surroundings of this Stuart-era home. The natural Christmas trees are decorated with orange slices and simple ribbons, bringing a classic Christmas sense to the property.
Ham House is a brilliant escape in London, and one of my favourite things to do in Richmond. I visit all the time, and it is perfect in any season.
The charming town of Richmond is absolutely beautiful during the holidays—be sure to have a walk round the town centre on the way to Ham House in order to experience Christmas in Richmond.
Dennis Severs House
Spitalfields | £15-30
The Dennis Severs House is truly a one-of-a-kind marvel. Dennis Severs bought the house in 1979 and decided to reconstruct the interiors to represent the daily life of a Huguenot family who would have lived there since the 1700s. It’s one of the quirkiest house museums in London, but utterly magical.
At Christmastime the house takes on even more life, opening for Silent Nights and candlelit tours. Visits to the house are in silence, and photography is forbidden, leading one to feel as if they are stepping back in time. This is probably the most unique and magical Christmas house experience of all.
I can’t overstate how special Dennis Severs House is—it’s most certainly one of the best things to do in East London.
Museum of the Home
Hackney | Free
Another gem in East London, the Museum of the Home is a wonderful exploration of the role our homes play in our lives. One of the best parts of the museum is the Rooms Through Time, which present historical accurate rooms from different eras. During the holidays these rooms are decorated as they might have been in each decade, from the 1500s to the 1970s. Visiting the rooms is a holiday tradition for many in London.
Christmas stately homes in South East England
The following stately homes are within reach of London as day trips, so can provide a mini Christmas escape without having to travel too far. There are dozens of stately homes in the South East, many of which belong to the National Trust.
A top tip from me is that if you hold a National Art Pass, there’s a good chance it will also let you into National Trust properties, if they have art collections. It’s like two memberships in one!
These stately homes are magical at Christmastime, but many are also home to the most beautiful gardens in the South East, making them perfect to visit year-round.
Basildon Park
Berkshire | £16.50, free for National Trust members
Basildon Park is often used a film location, so you may recognise it from shows like Bridgerton. This stately home embraces the theatricality at Christmas, too—with displays like the one pictured above creating a cinematic effect. All the book pages flying off the shelves remind me of the letters in Harry Potter!
Basildon Park is a Georgian estate and is ornately decorated. It’s easy to imagine a luxurious Christmas being celebrated here.
The 2023 Christmas season at Basildon Park opens on the 18th of November, with decorations celebrating the beloved classic 'The Wind in the Willows’.
Igtham Mote
Kent | £16.50, free for National Trust members
Igtham Mote is a moated Tudor house in Kent. The house is 700 years old! The historic Christmas season begins in 2023 on November 18th with the Christmas Opening Weekend. The festive, handpainted Tudor Hall will be dressed to give the effect of a Tudor Mass.
There are many special Christmas events at Igtham Mote throughout the season, many revolving around music. Tudor court music and wandering dancers will bring vibrant Christmas cheer to the site, telling tales of Tudor England.
Scotney Castle
Kent | £16.50, free for National Trust members
Scotney Castle is another Kent property to visit if you’re into moats as it features the ruins of a 14th century moated castle, as well as a 19th century manor house.
Scotney Castle celebrates different decades in its Christmas celebrations each year, and in 2023 they will be throwing a swinging sixties Christmas. the 1960s will come alive with costumes on display, period decorations and even festive menus.
The house will be open late on select events, with further light displays outdoors to celebrate the season.
Hughenden
Buckinghamshire | £14.30, free for National Trust members
Hughenden was the home of statesman Benjamin Disraeli. Hughenden has a Victorian interior and was used as a site for secret operations during World War Two. This year, Hughenden is celebrating Christmas with the 12 Days of Christmas, incorporating the story into the rooms, gardens, and stables. On from the 20th of November 2023.
Polesden Lacey
Surrey | £15.40, free for National Trust members
Polesden Lacey was used as a house for entertaining in the 1910s and 20s so is always good fun to visit. The 2023 Christmas season begins on November 25th at Polesden Lacey, and is themed around a fairytale Christmas.
Christmas at Polesden Lacey will be complete with a 20 foot tree and immersive fairytale scenes.
Waddesdon Manor
Buckinghamshire | £35.20 at peak times, £10 for National Trust members
Christmas at Waddesdon Manor is an extravagant affair. This magnificent stately home is one of the most enormous in the country, and the ornate rooms will be decked out in immersive decorations.
Christmas at Waddesdon Manor is extensive, and also includes Christmas markets on the grounds and festive menus at the restaurants and teahouse. The gardens are illuminated, creating an impressive winter lights trail. Christmas at Waddesdon begins on the 22nd of November, 2023.
Blenheim Palace
Oxfordshire | £32
Another extravagant Christmas destination is Blenheim Palace, the enormous stately home near Oxford which was the birthplace of Churchill. In 2023, the Palace is celebrating the story of Sleeping Beauty, as well as light trails, Christmas markets and themed afternoon teas.
Situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace as the perfect gateway to a cosy Christmas in the Cotswolds.
Christmas stately homes in England
Beyond the realm of London and the South East, there are several incredible Christmas stately homes which can’t be left off the list. Here are my picks of my ultimate bucket-list Christmas destinations in the UK.
Haddon Hall
Derbyshire | £25
Haddon Hall near Bakewell in the Peak District is one of few surviving medieval stately homes in the country, which makes it an entirely unique experience. At Christmastime they celebrate with an artistan market, Mercatum, as well as Christmas decorations which bring in a medieval spirit. This is a special one.
Chatsworth House
Derbyshire | £29.50
Chatsworth House is a neighbour to Haddon Hall, as both reside near Bakewell. Famous for being the house used in the Pride & Prejudice film, Chatsworth has extensive gardens and art collections. At Christmastime the decorations are ornate, and in 2023 Chartsworth is becoming the Palace of Advent. 24 different rooms offer unique Christmas experiences, from candycanes to mistletoe. They also host Christmas markets, a light trail, and a ball.
Tyntesfield
Bristol | £15.40, free for National Trust members
Tyntesfield is a wonderful Victorian gothic estate in North Somerset. This Christmas they are celebrating in Victorian style, including horse and carriage rides around the property. In 2023 they are hosting several creative workshops, including wreath making and lino print Christmas cards.
Cothele
Cornwall | £14.30, free for National Trust members
Cothele is one of my most favourite National Trust houses, and I am desperate to visit at Christmastime, although I doubt making it all the way to Cornwall will be likely for me. Cothele is a Tudor house, and every year they decorate the Great Hall with a flower garland made from the garden’s own dried flowers, a tradition since 1956.
From the 6-17 November 2023, you’ll be able to see the staff creating the garland from cut flowers in the garden. From the 18th of November, it will be hung in pride of place in the Great Hall.
Christmas is when London feels its most magical, with festive lights and a cosy atmosphere that bring out the city’s best—though it can also get crowded and chaotic. These 1, 2, and 3 day itineraries for Christmas in London are designed to help you experience the charm without the overwhelm.