Our Top 10 Christmas Country House Experiences

Home to the best collection of stately homes in the country, Northamptonshire’s winter lights, grottos, storytelling and wreath making workshops take some beating at this time of year. 

Winter Light Trail at Delapre

https://www.winterlighttrail.co.uk/

Winter Lights until 2nd January

Discover enchanted light installations with a brand new trail experience that spans over one mile throughout the stunning woodland, walled garden and grounds of Delapré Abbey.

Plus, a great selection of local, independent food vendors, Après Ski bar and kid’s funfair attractions.

Christmas at the Chester House Estate

https://chesterhouseestate.org/christmas-2022/ 

Magical Winter Wonderland until 24th December

Meet Father Christmas and his elves in his magical winter wonderland grotto at Chester House.

Victorian Christmas at Rockingham Castle

https://www.rockinghamcastle.com/event/victorian-christmas/ 

Victorian Christmas until 4th December, Festive Wreath Making until 5th December

Be transported back to Christmas Eve in 1849 with candle lit trees, roaring fires and magnificent period costume. A unique festive experience with a Victorian twist. 

Guided tours of the castle are taken by one of the castle’s wonderful guides dressed in costume and in character as a housekeeper, butler, governess or footman. 

Each tell their preparations for Christmas Eve as they would have been in 1849.

You can also enjoy a festive treat in Walkers House Tea Room. 

Boughton Christmas Trees

https://www.boughtonhouse.co.uk/event/christmas-trees/ 

Find your perfect tree, until 11th December

Get into the Christmas spirit at Boughton House.

Find your perfect premium Christmas tree, and discover a range of traditional tree stands, handmade wreaths, decorations, gifts, gin and much more.

Christmas Family Fun at Sulgrave Manor

https://sulgravemanor.org.uk/whats-on 

Family Fun Weekend and Santa's Grotto 10th-11th December

Christmas at Sulgrave includes Christmas crafts, face painting, Christmas activity trail, a visit to the Manor House, timed pop up talks and Santa's Grotto.

Canons Ashby 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/canons-ashby/events/001a9fd7-5512-4546-a357-79ca86426b2d 

Magical Wood Trail, until 24th December

Ding dong the bells and chimes in the Spinney this December, as you try out the Canons Ashby Christmas Trail, great for those who appreciate audio sensory experiences, with noisy things to interact with.

Don’t forget to visit the house to see the “A Christmas Quest” decorations – pulled from the pages of Arthurian legend.

Lamport Hall

https://www.lamporthall.co.uk/events/christmas-market/ 

Christmas Market, 3rd-4th December 

Housed under cover in the Edwardian stable block, shop ’til you drop whatever the weather! The Christmas Fair has been a yearly fixture for over thirty years, and is sure to be a great day out this year too, with over 90 stalls. When you’ve finished shopping visit the Winter Woodland, home to Father Christmas and his real reindeers.

78 Derngate

Bubbles & Baubles, 1st December

https://www.78derngate.org.uk/news/christmas-craft-events-bubbles-baubles 

Enjoy entry to 78 Derngate, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House, and explore unique and eclectic interiors  - which shall be decorated for the festive season too.

Then, sit down to paint your own Christmas baubles whilst enjoying a glass or two of fizz on the side.

Lyveden

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/leicestershire-northamptonshire/lyveden/events/5b5953b0-5c7b-4354-9a25-505183619bbf 

Christmas Storytelling, 3rd December

Drop into the café to discover a festive tale by the fireside with storyteller Marion Leeper. 

Marion will be sitting by the fire for the whole day so why not pick up a festive treat from the café and pull up a seat by the fire to get you in the Christmas spirit?

Flore House

https://www.florehouse.co.uk/book-events-online 

Christmas Wreath Workshops to 4th December

Festive fun, a glass of fizz, mince pice and amazing door wreath creations.