If you’re spending Christmas in Lincolnshire, you will find an abundance of events taking place throughout the festive season.
From November onwards, Lincolnshire’s historic houses will be dressed for Christmas, filled with all the sights, sounds and smells of the season. Lavishly decorated with larger-than-life Christmas trees and stunning handcrafted displays, stately homes across the county will be pulling out all the stops.
Visit this Christmas and you will be able to enjoy everything from outdoor illuminations to themed afternoon teas!
2024 info coming soon!
Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens
This Christmas, Gunby Hall will be bringing a little Hollywood glamour to Lincolnshire. Throughout December, the rooms in this magnificent Grade-I listed building will be transformed for the festive season, and this year’s theme is ‘Christmas at the Movies’.
Each room in the house will be decorated in the theme of a different Christmas film, so you can immerse yourself in movie magic. As you explore the house, you will get the chance to experience the joy of the Muppets Christmas Carol, relive the magic of The Snowman and embrace all the festive feels of Love Actually. For a little Christmas challenge, see if you can figure out all of the featured films without sneaking a peek!
Alongside the house, the Gunby gardens will also be open, bursting with winter blooms and seasonal veg. There are eight acres of walled gardens to explore, or you can venture out into the estate for a longer, scenic walk. Stop by the tearoom on your way back and you can warm up with a hot chocolate - and a mince pie of course!
Harlaxton Manor
Ahead of Christmas this year, the incredible Harlaxton Manor will be opening its doors on selected days in December. As this stately home is not often open to visitors, this is the perfect opportunity to take a look inside.
Situated on the edge of the Vale of Belvoir, Harlaxton is one of the grandest historic houses in Lincolnshire. Dating back to Victorian times, this impressive mansion sits within 300 acres of manicured grounds and offers some fantastic views across the surrounding countryside.
For Christmas, the state rooms at Harlaxton will all be decorated, with beautiful Christmas trees in each room. As you explore the manor, you will also have the chance to learn more about the history of the building – and its former residents. To add to the festivities, there will be singers around the house, and a pianist performing your favourite seasonal songs. Father Christmas and his helpers will also be making appearances throughout the day – look out for the naughty elves that are hidden around the Manor!
No Christmas event would be complete without some delicious food, and Harlaxton will be putting on a festive spread for visitors, with homemade mince pies, Christmas cake and pulled pork rolls on offer.
Belvoir Castle
Christmas at Belvoir Castle is never anything less than spectacular and this year’s event is no different! An unforgettable immersive experience awaits, as you step into the magic of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.
This year’s event will be curated by award-winning designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber, the queen of Christmas interiors. Inspired by the classic carol, the whole castle will be transformed with beautiful embellishments and flamboyant decorations. As you journey through the verses of the song, you’ll discover breathtaking displays and extravagant Christmas trees in every room.
After immersing yourself in the magic, you can revel in a sumptuous Festive Afternoon Tea in the grandeur of the Regency-styled tearoom, or step outside to admire Belvoir’s exquisite grounds and gardens. From here, a path of twinkling lights will lead you down to the Engine Yard, where you can dine, drink, and shop ‘til you drop.
Doddington Hall
When it comes to festive events, Doddington Hall never disappoint. This beautiful Elizabethan Hall is set to be transformed again this year, using the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ carol as inspiration.
From November – December, the entire hall will be filled with spectacular decorations, creating a magical experience for all to enjoy. Explore over 400 years of history within the hall, and experience what Christmas would have once been like in this treasured family home. As you follow the flow of the music through the hall, different Christmas stories will unfold, revealing spectacular scenes – and wonderful memories.
As Doddington Hall places sustainability at the forefront of all they do, the majority of the decorations this year have been recycled, upcycled or handmade using materials that have been grown or produced on the Estate. Take time to explore Doddington’s extensive gardens afterwards and see if you can spot what they’ve used!
Complete your visit with a trip to Doddington’s wonderfully festive Winter Tea Room, where you can indulge in an afternoon tea, or simply refuel with a delicious coffee. You’ll need all the energy you can muster if you want to stop by the Bauble Barn before you leave! Positively bursting with baubles, lights and decorations, this amazing shop is the perfect place to pick up a gift or treat yourself to something special.
Belton House
From 25 November, Belton House will be full of twinkling lights and show stopping decorations. As you wander from room to room, you will become immersed in the magic of a traditional Christmas.
Snowy trees will fill the house creating a beautiful winter wonderland, whilst the Hondecoeter dining room will be prepared for a festive feast, complete with name cards of previous famous guests! Belton’s talented volunteers will be playing piano in the house on selected days, adding a little something extra to the already enchanting atmosphere.
Perfect for families, there will be lots of interactive moments as you explore the house, including dressing up opportunities! Stop off at Belton’s café after your festive adventure, and you can warm up in the cosy stables with a hot drink - and a mince pie or two.
For an evening experience to remember, visit Belton House at Christmas. Their popular illumination event is back, and this year, it’s bigger than ever! From the end of November, Belton’s landscaped gardens will be filled with over a million twinkling lights, transforming the space into a magical winter wonderland.
An illuminated trail will lead the way, as you wander beneath glittering trees, sparkling tunnels of light and breathtaking displays of colour. This magical event cleverly uses the natural surroundings at Belton to create the most effective illuminations; the lake will be brought to life with impressive lasers, whilst projections on the house highlight the incredible architecture of this historic building.
There will be some new additions to the trail this year, including larger-than-life flowers, rainbow trees and a rather jolly flock of glittering robins. To complete your evening, there will be a variety of local food vendors on hand throughout the event. Enjoy a hot chocolate as you make your way along the trail or pick up a marshmallow to toast over the firepit. It doesn’t get much more festive than that!
For more information about Christmas in Lincolnshire, visit:
