Christmas

London

Richmond upon Thames

Join Father Christmas at Marble Hill this December for a magical way to start the festive season.

Father Christmas is taking time out of his busy festive schedule to tell some of his favourite seasonal stories around the Christmas tree in our group storytelling session. Then, you and your children will get the chance to meet the man himself, take photographs and make memories to treasure. Father Christmas will also give every child a traditional present to unwrap.

Children of all ages are welcome. Tickets for Father Christmas cost £9.50 per child in advance, for members and non-members.

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Sessions take place at 10.20am, 11am, 11.40am, 12.20pm, 1.20pm, 2pm, 2.40pm and 3.20pm. As it's such a busy time of year for him, Father Christmas needs to start on time, so please arrive at least 15 minutes before your slot.

Father Christmas At Marble Hill

Step through the wardrobe and into the snowy magic of Narnia at Wrest Park this Christmas. Experience the enchantment of C.S. Lewis’ "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" as Wrest Park transforms into a winter wonderland with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and scenes from the beloved story.

Explore the beautifully decorated house, where The White Witch has cast her spell, making it always winter and never Christmas. Journey your way through Narnia, escaping the Witch’s spell and end your adventure in the magical throne room.

Outside, continue into the gardens for an enchanting Narnia-themed trail for families to enjoy, included in the ticket price.  On weekends, you can also enjoy the festive atmosphere with wintry fairground rides available for £5 for unlimited rides, which you can pay for on site. Don’t miss this magical adventure, perfect for families and fans of Narnia!

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Afternoon Teas, 23 November – 22 December, Wed-Sundays from 12:00 - 15:20

Come and join us in celebrating Christmas with a delicious Afternoon Tea served in the grand dinning room within the main house, including savoury tarts, pigs in blankets, smoked salmon blinis and a selection of sweet treats. Served with tea or coffee or for that extra special indulgence, why not add Prosecco!

We also have a delicious Christmas Tea for the little ones which includes finger sandwiches, houmous & crudities, pigs in blankets, mini-Christmas doughnut and fresh fruit. Served with either a juice or milkshake or can be upgraded to a luxury hot chocolate.

Afternoon Teas can be added to your ticket at the check out. If booking alongside one of our other festive activities, please give 1 hour before or after your other booking to ensure you have time to fully enjoy all your onsite experiences.

Narnia At Wrest Park

Guided forest bathing walks are a great way to look after your physical and mental well-being. Scientific studies have shown that forest bathing can help reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system, improve concentration and support anxiety and depression.

During your guided forest bathing walk with Deep in Nature you will be led on a slow-paced and gentle walk through our woodland landscape and invited to try various activities designed to help relaxation and to boost your mental and physical health.

You will leave the walk with tips and activities to practice on your own.  No prior experience or fitness is necessary.  

Adult walks are open to those aged 16+. We regret that we cannot welcome dogs on the forest bathing walks except for assistance animals.  Please note that admission charges apply for non-members. 

25th Sept 10:30

23rd October 1030

20th Nov 10:30

28th Dec 10:30

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Wrest Park Forest Bathing 2024

Join us for a festive Christmas Afternoon Tea in the grand dinning room within the main house at Wrest Park!

Indulge in savoury tarts, pigs in blankets, canapés, and sweet treats, served with tea or coffee—or add Prosecco for an extra touch of luxury.

For the little ones, we offer a special Christmas Tea with finger sandwiches, houmous & crudités, pigs in blankets, a mini Christmas doughnut, and fresh fruit, served with juice or milkshake.

Upgrade to a luxury hot chocolate for an extra treat - just add to your ticket at checkout!

Prices start from £24.95 per person.

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HOW TO BOOK

Select your site admission tickets.

Add Afternoon Tea: On the Enhance Your Visit page, select a Festive Afternoon Tea time (On weekends throughout December Father Christmas visits will also be running). 

Plan Your Timing: Make sure to leave enough time if you have also booked Narnia and Father Christmas tickets.

Please bring your booking confirmation with you on the day. If you’re a member, you’ll also need to bring your membership card. You can only use the member rate for people included in your membership.

If booking alongside a visit to Father Christmas, please give 1 hour before or after your other booking to ensure you have time to fully enjoy all your onsite experiences.

Christmas Afternoon Tea At Wrest Park

Discover an inspiring new photography exhibition at Furness Abbey, created by students and artists who explored the supernatural side of two iconic English Heritage sites.

Through workshops led by artist Sarah Sparkes and experts in Gothic and historical studies, students from Furness College and Newcastle College captured the eerie beauty of Furness Abbey and Lanercost Priory.

Now, their haunting, atmospheric photographs are on display within the abbey’s ancient ruins. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, this exhibition highlights the creativity sparked by history and the supernatural.

Book your visit online and save 15%

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Photo above taken by Libby F, Furness College

Revenants And Remains At Furness Abbey

Join historian Dr Susan Skedd on a guided New Year's walk from Clapham to Battersea and discover where some of its most celebrated inhabitants have lived and worked. Find out about the lives of the writers, artists, musicians and actors who made Clapham and Battersea their home and learn why not all blue plaques are blue.

This tour is graded as moderate access as it is a walking tour in crowded, uneven streets, with few places to stop and rest. The nearest tube stations, Clapham Common and Clapham Junction, do not have step-free acess. For more information, please see https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility.

Members' Event:

Bring the family and meet Charles and Emma Darwin, who will tell stories of family life at Down House.

Hear about Charles’ experiments and learn what life was like during the cold winter months. As part of this event, you and your family will follow in the footsteps of George Darwin, who as a young boy was very interested in heraldry. After hearing about life at Down, you will be invited to design your own shield for the Darwin family and fill it with images inspired by what you’ve heard, Darwin’s experiments and the plants and minibeasts that can be found in the garden.

This event takes place on the first floor of the house. This floor is accessible via stairs that have handrails and a lift that is wheelchair-accessible.

This is a family tour aimed at children, who must all be accompanied by an adult.

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Start the weekend energised with a spot of Community Yoga amongst the backdrop of Marble Hill and it's surroundings! Community based event, meet on the Oval Lawn (Behind House towards River) at 8am.

Community Yoga

Bring the family and meet Charles and Emma Darwin, who will tell stories of family life at Down House.

Hear about Charles’ experiments and learn what life was like during the cold winter months. As part of this event, you and your family will follow in the footsteps of George Darwin, who as a young boy was very interested in heraldry. After hearing about life at Down, you will be invited to design your own shield for the Darwin family and fill it with images inspired by what you’ve heard, Darwin’s experiments and the plants and minibeasts that can be found in the garden.

This event takes place on the first floor of the house. This floor is accessible via stairs that have handrails and a lift that is wheelchair-accessible.

Go deep underground at Dover Castle and discover the Dumpy level on a special guided tunnel tour.

In the early 1960s the government selected Dover Castle as one of 12 Regional Seats of Government, to be occupied in the event of nuclear war. The heart of this was in Dumpy level and the tour presents an ideal opportunity to view the tunnels as they were when the Government abandoned them in the late 1980s.

Please note the tour is not suitable for under 18s. The tunnels contain uneven surfaces and some trip hazards – please wear appropriate shoes.

During a fire evacuation or other emergency, the lift to Dumpy cannot be used. In this case, visitors would need to climb 80 steps unaided to leave the tunnels. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accept bookings from visitors unable to climb these 80 steps unaided.

The tour is not recommended for anyone with chronic asthma, serious respiratory problems or a fear of enclosed spaces. You will be asked to sign a form to accept these recommendations and restrictions before the tour.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the time of the tour. You will also need a valid Dover Castle ticket in order to join the tour.

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Dumpy Level Tunnel Tour

Celebrate and learn about a Tudor Christmas at Eltham Palace with Henry VIII. Hear about what a young Henry VIII may have enjoyed at Eltham Palace around Christmas and enjoy the soundscape of a Tudor Christmas while having the chance to dance with a king.

This is event is graded as easy access.

Join Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter at Rievaulx Abbey on the feast of St Aelred. Learn about the saint's extraordinary life and how he left his imprint on the buildings of the monastery, where he served as abbot between 1147-67. Hear tales of other saints associated with the monastery and prepare yourself for stories of miraculous cures and visions.

This tour is graded as moderate access due to uneven terrain.

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Join us for an exclusive tour of Carisbrooke Castle when it is closed to the public. This unique experience will guide you through some of Carisbrooke's key highlights, offering insights into its rich history and stunning architecture. After the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to explore the castle at your own leisure, taking in its beauty and charm at your own pace.

This event is graded as moderate access due to the length of the tour and limited stopping locations.

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English Heritage

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker. 

Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. 

Father Christmas At Marble Hill

English Heritage

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