
There a few things that evoke memories and feelings more than a Christmas stately home. Visions of stockings hanging above an ornate open fire, stacks of wrapped presents beneath a Christmas tree, and a long dining table filled with seasonal goodies like a turkey and crackers. It's dreamy.
Previously only visited by royalty and gentry, UK stately homes are now a popular daytime destination for families and couples alike, and Britain is filled with many striking stately homes to visit over the holiday. Visit Christmas markets at stately homes or Christmas fairs and other events; you can enjoy some festive National Trust Christmas events at some stately homes too.
Do you want to holiday like a lord or lady? After looking at these stately homes at Christmas, we have some great self-catering properties in our collection for you to cosy up in. To browse our collection of holiday homes for a Christmas break, click the button below, or read on to discover six stately homes worth visiting in the festive season.
UK Christmas breaks
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Castle Howard, North Yorkshire
Castle Howard near Malton and York is one of the finest historic houses in England, sitting within a National Landscape close to the Yorkshire Coast. Explore a treasure trove of aesthetically pleasing architecture, as well as admiring renowned collections of art. Set within 1,000 acres of blissful landscape, the stately home is famous for its annual displays of rhododendrons and roses, to name a few of its floral wonders.
Visit this stately home at Christmas time to see the home adorned by wreaths, candles, baubles and twinkling lights, as well as a giant gingerbread model of Castle Howard. For 2024, you can visit Santa in his grotto or in the castle, see Alice's Christmas Wonderland or take on a seasonal craft workshop.
Good to know
- Location: Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
- Christmas opening times: The gardens of Castle Howard are open daily but the house and grounds closes on the 21 December until March 2025. Visit the Castle Howard website for details.
- Ticket information: Visit the Castle Howard website for the Christmas experience options.
- Stay nearby: Dove Cottage | sleeps 4 guests + 2 dogs
North Yorkshire cottages

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
Located in the heart of the Peak District, Chatsworth House near Bakewell, has been passed through 16 generations, now housing the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. With over 30 rooms to explore, the home lends itself to the world of art displaying works dating back over 4,000 years, including masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Reynolds and Lucian Freud.
This Christmas, head to Chatsworth for a magical tour of the house and gardens before perusing the Christmas market to pick up a unique handcrafted gift from the craft stalls. It's one of the best-loved of the UK's Christmas markets at stately homes. By night, the house hosts Twilight Evenings, where you can see the festive decorations after dark, tuck into some mince pies and get into the festive spirit with performances by bell ringers and a strings trio. Chatsworth is very famous for its stately home Christmas events so don't miss out. There are so many things to do in the Peak District all year around, even in winter.
Good to know
- Location: Chatsworth House, Bakewell DE45 1PP
- Christmas opening times: Christmas Market – 9am to 4.30pm | 9 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
- Ticket information: Tickets must be booked in advance from the Chatsworth House website
- Stay nearby: Pine Croft | sleeps 4 guests
Peak District cottages

Image (left) courtesy of: Gavin Lynn
Bramham Park, West Yorkshire
Bramham Park sits in the blissful region of West Yorkshire. This baroque style home was built in the 17th century, with grand gardens and luxury interiors; it's a superb stately home to visit at Christmas. Italianate by design, the building presents high ceilings, intricate stonework and imposing paintings.
Home to the famous Leeds Festival and the International Horse Trials, Bramham Park is a must-see! Yorkshire is an endless wonderland for the countless visitors that venture there each winter. Discover Yorkshire with us in our handy guide to one of the wildest regions in the country.
Good to know
- Location: Bramham Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 6ND
- Christmas opening times: Open daily 10am – 4pm (except Christmas Day). Check the Bramham Park website for more information
- Ticket information: Adults – £8, children – £5 | Visits are by appointment only. Please email [email protected]
- Stay nearby: Gentleman Jack Farm Cottage | sleeps 4 guests
West Yorkshire cottages

Apsley House, London
As the first home of the Duke of Wellington, Apsley House is a timeless estate, with links to the days of the Duke’s victory at Waterloo in 1815. Grandly sitting in the centre of London, Apsley House’s impressive interior will have you ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ at 200 of the finest works of art in London.
Prepare to have a Victorian Christmas at Apsley, while enjoying traditional music and dances from the period. Be aware, it is only open at weekends leading up to Christmas. Just metres away from Winter Wonderland in the neighbouring Hyde Park, this is the ultimate city-based stately home to visit at Christmas.
Good to know
- Location: Apsley House, 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT
- Christmas opening times: Open Wednesday to Sunday between 11am and 5pm (closed from 21 December to 4 January 2025) | Consult the Apsley House website for more information.
- Ticket information: Adults – £13, children – £8, English Heritage members – free | Online advance booking is cheaper
- Stay nearby: Winston Churchill Lodge | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
London cottages

Image (left) courtesy of: Chris Paul
Montacute House, Somerset
Known as the masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance, the National Trust's Montacute House, near Yeovil, is set within superb gardens in the remote countryside of Somerset. Its beautiful Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and towering walls of glass attract many year-on-year.
Wander through the clipped hedgerows and pavilions and watch the stately home come to light during the Reindeer World Tour this Christmas – it is a true spectacle; a fairy-tale wonderland awaits you. Check out our guide to other National Trust places in Somerset you can visit this winter.
Good to know
- Location: Montacute House, Montacute TA15 6XP
- Christmas opening times: Open daily from 10am to 4pm
- Ticket information: Adults – £13, children – £6.50, National Trust members – free
- Stay nearby: Hyde Cottage | sleeps 2 guests
South West cottages

Image (left) courtesy of Stewart Black
Longleat House, Wiltshire
One of the most popular attractions in Britain is Wiltshire’s Longleat House. Renowned for its captivating Elizabethan architecture, Longleat House is one of the most spectacular stately homes open to the public. Home to Lord Bath, this authentic structure sits within 900 acres of landscaped parklands, also offering an award-winning day out, Longleat Safari Park.
Visit the house this Christmas to experience the Festival of Light and try your hand at ice skating; it's one of the UK's most beautiful stately homes decorated for Christmas! See the safari park in a new light on the Winter Safari, board the Santa train and follow the lanterns to see fairy tales brought to life.
Good to know
- Location: Longleat House, Warminster BA12 7NW
- Christmas opening times: Festival of Light | 9 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. See the Longleat House opening times page for more information.
- Ticket information: Ticket prices vary depending on whether you need a day ticket or a twilight pass. Please visit the Longleat House website for information.
- Stay nearby: Beech View 1 | sleeps 4 guests + 1 dog
Somerset cottages
Get away for Christmas
If you're looking to visit one of the best stately homes at Christmas, or you're even seeking out your own special place to celebrate yuletide this year, find your perfect festive getaway with our collection of Christmas cottages.
UK Christmas getaways