Christmas 2024
Whether you're looking for dazzling light displays, the wardrobe leading to Narnia or the chance to meet Father Christmas, make this season magical with festive events for the whole family.
Celebrate the season with traditional carol services and wreath-making workshops, and fill your weekends with Christmas joy at our Festive Fun events.
Meet Father Christmas
Father Christmas has planned a series of special stops at sites around the country, as he prepares for the big day. This December, gather around the Christmas tree as he shares a festive story, receive a special gift to take home and make merry memories to treasure.
Find an event near meImmersive Christmas experiences
Enter a world of storytelling and make-believe, as our sites brim with Christmas spirit this season.
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Narnia at Wrest Park
Step through the wardrobe and explore the snowy magic of Narnia at Wrest Park this Christmas.
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Illuminated Battle Abbey
Follow this dazzling light trail through the ruins and across the grounds as lights and sounds carry you back to winter 1066.
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Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace
Enjoy an hour-long immersive and theatrical journey through the stunning art-deco mansion, perfect for the whole family.
Festive Fun Weekends
Wrap up warm and fill your weekends with Christmas cheer at our Festive Fun events. There’ll be a host of jolly entertainment for the whole family, from storytelling to toymaking, carols to Christmas crafts and more.
Weekends at selected sites from 30 November until 22 December
Find an event near meTraditional wreath-making workshops
Get creative this Christmas and make your very own wreath to take home. Our gardening team will guide you through classic designs, using festive foliage and sprigs from English Heritage's gardens. Everything you need to create a wreath is provided for you – including tasty winter warmers!
Christmas Carols
As the winter evening draws in, celebrate the season at our traditional carols evenings in stunning surroundings.
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEAS
Indulge in a festive feast this Christmas with a delicious afternoon tea at:
Enjoy classic Christmas treats like smoked salmon blinis, sandwiches and an assortment of sweet treats, all paired with your choice of tea, coffee or prosecco. Little ones can also enjoy fun finger sandwiches, fresh fruit and cakes with a choice of milkshakes or juice. Make this a part of your family's Christmas - simply add an afternoon tea at the checkout.
Christmas Quests
From 30 Nov – 22 Dec
Join best friends Ellie and Jack on a festive quest to uncover the magic of the season and its much-loved traditions. There are 12 stops to discover, each filled with Christmas stories, activities and exciting challenges.
Find a quest near you:
Victorian Christmas Crafts
Christmas crackers, gilded walnuts, pin-prick cards and paper flowers
The Victorians popularised many Christmas traditions we know and love, decorating their homes just as we do today. Most of their decorations and gifts were made using household items and are surprisingly simple to make.
Watch our video and click on the links below to discover easy guides and templates to make your own Victorian Christmas crafts.
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Make your own: CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
The Christmas cracker can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century and London confectioner Tom Smith. Smith patented his first cracker in 1847 and perfected the mechanism in the 1860s. It was Smith's son Walter who had the idea of including paper hats and novelty gifts.
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Make your own: PIN-PRICK CARDS
Christmas cards date back to 1843 when civil servant Henry Cole commissioned a card showing a family around a dinner table. The idea caught people’s imaginations and with advances in colour printing technology, the sending of cards had become hugely popular by the 1880s.
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make your own: PAPER FLOWERS
Making paper flowers was a popular craft activity among wealthy Victorian women. Hundreds of articles from magazines at the time showed how to make elaborate imitation flowers, which were displayed throughout the house and were considered an indispensable personal accessory.
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More Victorian Christmas Traditions
From presents to puddings, you can bet Queen Victoria had something to do with their history. In fact, the Victorian age played a big part in establishing the traditions of Christmas we still practice today. Discover just how important the Victorians were in the celebration of Christmas.
