WHAT’S ON
CHRISTMAS IN THE NOTSWOLDS
From carol concerts and creative workshops to visits with Santa and festive light switch-ons, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas across the Notswolds. Plan your festive season here.
Christmas at Doddington Hall
Classic Christmas films inspire a series of imaginative, handmade installations throughout the historic rooms of Doddington Hall.
11 November – 31 December 2026, selected dates · near Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Deck the Halls at Belvoir Castle
Belvoir’s state rooms are dressed as Christmas carols, with a festive mice trail winding through the castle.
14 November – 30 December 2026 · Belvoir, Leicestershire
Father Christmas in the Library at Peterborough Cathedral
Meet Father Christmas among the ancient books of Peterborough Cathedral’s rarely seen historic library.
Selected dates, 21 November – 24 December 2026 · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Victorian Christmas at Delapré Abbey
See Delapré Abbey’s Bouverie rooms decorated for a Victorian Christmas, with the chance to explore after dark.
26–27 November 2026, house open 2–8pm · Northampton, Northamptonshire
Christmas Tree Festival at Peterborough Cathedral
More than a hundred trees decorated by local groups and charities fill the cathedral for its seasonal festival.
26 November 2026 – 6 January 2027 · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
A Christmas Quest at Canons Ashby
Arthurian stories inspire the Christmas decorations at Canons Ashby, with a quest for young visitors through the house.
28 November – 24 December 2026, 11am–3.30pm, on open days · Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
Enchanted Christmas at Newstead Abbey
The rooms of Newstead Abbey are dressed for Christmas, from the historic interiors to seasonal installations throughout the house.
28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, weekends and school holidays · Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire
Santa’s Twelve Days of Christmas at Wollaton Hall
A festive story-led visit inside Wollaton Hall, with a meeting with Father Christmas and a gift for children.
Weekends, 28 November – 20 December 2026 · Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Christmas at Gunby Hall
Decorated rooms and a playful Christmas display bring the eighteenth-century interiors of Gunby Hall to life.
28 November – 23 December 2026, selected dates · near Spilsby, Lincolnshire
Father Christmas in the Tudor House at Lamport Hall
Meet Father Christmas in Lamport Hall’s Tudor house during its December festive opening.
5–8, 10 and 12–13 December 2026, selected sessions · Lamport, Northamptonshire
Christmas open house at Harlaxton Manor
Harlaxton’s richly decorated state rooms open for four festive days, with live music, seasonal shopping and children’s activities.
5–6 and 12–13 December 2026, 10am–5pm · near Grantham, Lincolnshire
A Victorian Christmas by Candlelight at Delapré Abbey
Explore Delapré Abbey’s decorated Victorian rooms by candlelight before port and cheese in the dining room.
7–8 December 2026, 6pm or 7.30pm · Northampton, Northamptonshire
Castle by Candlelight at Belvoir Castle
See Belvoir Castle’s Christmas rooms after dark, accompanied by live musicians, candlelight and a glass of fizz.
Selected December evenings, from 6pm · Belvoir, Leicestershire
Festive evening tours at Newstead Abbey
Explore Newstead Abbey’s decorated rooms after dark on a special festive evening tour.
12 and 19 December 2026, evening tours · Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire