Many stately homes have decked their halls and opened up their doors over the festive period. With big beautiful trees and lots of amazing themes to marvel at; visiting a stately home at Christmas is fast becoming a yearly tradition of mine. Here are four of the latest homes I’ve visited that I would recommend.
Haddon Hall
I visited Haddon Hall back in the Summer for its roses and was astounded by how beautiful the medieval Manor House was. Dating back to the 11th century, Haddon Hall is already shrouded in history with its grand Tudor hall and Elizabethan gardens. I was so happy to be back in this building for it’s Christmas event this year, where they’ve decked the atmospheric main hall with a beautiful Christmas tree and roaring fire – you really feel like you’ve stepped back in history. As you wonder through the building, there’s lots of other displays to look at. I would say Haddon Hall is the most ‘low key’ Christmas event of the bunch, but they often run Christmas markets throughout the start of December if you’re looking for the full experience.
Blenheim Palace
This year was the first time I’ve ever been to Blenheim Palace and after visiting for Christmas, I can’t wait to go back to explore the gardens in the Spring. In 2023, they had a theme of “Sleeping Beauty” for their Christmas display. Greeted at the door with a glorious Christmas tree reaching the painted ceiling of the great hall, you meander through the various palace rooms that tell you a story as you go. The interior of Blenheim Palace is beautiful on it’s own, but with the added magical elements of twinkling lights and soft golden hues, it just becomes a true feast for the eyes.
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is the place that made me fall in love with visiting stately homes at Christmas time. I’ve already got a love for Chatsworth House as it was the setting for Pemberly in Pride and Prejudice, but it was visiting at Christmas that really cemented it in my favourites list. The entrance hall with a grand staircase is beautiful enough as it is, but as you wind your way up the stairs you’ll find the Christmas tree perched at the top. It’s accompanied by the most marvellous painted ceiling you’ll ever see and the whole experience from first room til last is a day trip you’ll never forget.
Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor looks like it has been taken from a fairytale with it’s round turrets and magical facade. They put on a Christmas market with delicious food and presents to buy others, but it’s what is on inside that was truly beautiful. It was lovely to have lots of rooms decked out in different themes and each one was perfectly decorated getting you in the festive spirit.