Home   What's On   News   Article

Christmas with the National Trust in Kent, with markets, decorations and a children's trail

It's a festive treat to see the National Trust's properties across Kent decked out for the season and outdoors there will be winter trails to keep little ones busy.

This year's events include a themed Percy the Park Keeper trail at many historic houses, while you can also stock up on Christmas presents and goodies at festive markets. Here's what's on across the county:

Christmas at Ightham Mote Picture: National Trust Images/John Miller
Christmas at Ightham Mote Picture: National Trust Images/John Miller

Ightham Mote, Borough Green

Kickstart the festive shopping at a mini market with local craftspeople and goods on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5. The ground floor of the house will also be decorated for Christmas through the ages, including a New England-style Christmas in the Library and a traditional Victorian Christmas in the Great Hall. There will be carol singing in the courtyard and the new Percy the Park Keeper trail in the gardens and grounds.

The trail runs until Sunday, January 2 and costs £2 on top of normal admission costs.

Percy the Park keeper is the subject of the National Trust Christmas trail Picture: Nick Butterworth/National Trust
Percy the Park keeper is the subject of the National Trust Christmas trail Picture: Nick Butterworth/National Trust

Emmetts Garden, Westerham

Percy the Park Keeper and his woodland friends are at the garden with their all-natural trail inspired by the surrounding Kentish woodlands. Help Percy track down his missing tools, and look out for his animal friends along the way.

The wild play area will also be open, along with the Old Stables Tea room with some warming wintry treats. The trail runs from Saturday, December 4 until January 2 and costs £2 on top of usual entry fees.

Scotney Castle decorations Picture: National Trust Images
Scotney Castle decorations Picture: National Trust Images

Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

The ground floor of the mansion will be decorated for an early 1900s Christmas Eve, with glistening Christmas trees and unopened presents, and there will be a twinkling tree in the main courtyard too.

The Percy the Park Keeper trail will be available outside until January 3 and the tea room will be serving seasonal treats and pre-booked three-course festive lunches on weekdays until Wednesday, December 22.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

See the Library and South Cottage dressed with atmospheric scenes evoking Vita and Harold's peaceful winters spent reading, writing and making plans for their garden, with poetry readings in the Library too, and hang a note on the Sissinghurst Christmas giving tree about what you're gifting this Christmas.

Outdoors for the festive season, there’s gardener question time and wildlife bingo for families, plus the Percy the Park Keeper trail through to Sunday, January 30, 2022.

Trees will be dressed for Christmas at sites including Scotney Castle Picture: National Trust images/Sam Milling
Trees will be dressed for Christmas at sites including Scotney Castle Picture: National Trust images/Sam Milling

Chartwell, Westerham

Travel back in time to a post-war 1940s Christmas for three weekends in December, when a series of rooms in the house will be dressed with natural decorations and trees for Christmas in 1946, when the Churchill family returned to Chartwell for the first time since the end of the Second World War. The Secretaries Office will also be open for the first time ever at Christmas, telling the stories of the people who worked at Chartwell over the years.

In the gardens, there’s a new family trail inspired by one of Sir Winston Churchill's famous paintings, Bottlescape, running until Sunday, January 2. Look for hidden bottles filled with very special ingredients which together reveal the recipe for a traditional Christmas treat.

Knole, Sevenoaks

Enjoy nature-inspired decorations including the tall tree in the Great Hall and impressive display on the grand table. For the first time, the Ballroom, Reynolds Room and Cartoon Gallery will be open to explore during the festive period with wintry displays.

There's a Christmas trail around the park - find the Christmas deer and follow clues to claim a luxury cuddly prize - you can find more details on the website.

It runs from Monday, December 6 until Sunday, December 23 between 10am and 3.30pm, and costs £5 per trail. You'll need to pre-book tickets to guarantee entry to the car park and house.

Find out more and book tickets here.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More