From November onwards, the historic houses in Lincolnshire 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 one of these beautiful houses this Christmas and you will be able to enjoy everything from outdoor illuminations to themed afternoon teas!
Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens
This Christmas, Gunby Hall will be taking you on a magical journey across the globe. 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 around the World’.
Each room will be seasonally decorated, showcasing the many ways Christmas is celebrated and enjoyed in different countries. As you make your way around the world, you can expect sparkle and lights galore - but which destination will be your favourite?
To accompany the festive celebrations, 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!
'Christmas around the World' will be on from Saturday 30 November - Sunday 22 December, normal admission applies.
Belton House
From 23 November, Belton House will be aglow with twinkling lights and show stopping decorations. Using their own grounds as inspiration, the theme for this year's event is 'Enchanted Parkland'. Each room in the house will be filled with magical woodland references and enchanting creations inspired by Belton’s parkland.
Utterly transformed, the Marble Hall will take on an ethereal beauty, leading you through a sugar-plum fairy inspired land, the library will be decorated with delicate wildlife origami and the Windsor Bedroom will be set for a parkland picnic. Perfect for families, there will be lots of interactive moments as you explore the house, including dressing up opportunities!
Enchanted Parkland will be on from 23 November - 5 January, normal admission applies.
Christmas at Belton
For an evening experience to remember, book a ticket to 'Christmas at Belton'. This popular illumination event is incredible, 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 a meadow of light, larger-than-life neon flowers, floating candles and rainbow batons. 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 choose a marshmallow to toast over the firepit. It doesn’t get much more festive than that!
Christmas at Belton will be on from 22 November - 1 January. Adult tickets from £22.50, booking recommended.
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.
Open on 30 November & 1, 7 & 8 December. Adult tickets from £18.00, booking recommended.
Doddington Hall
When it comes to festive events, Doddington Hall don't disappoint. This beautiful Elizabethan Hall is set to be transformed again this year, using your favourite Christmas songs as inspiration. From pop hits to classic carols, you will have the chance to step into the music of the season with this year's theme 'A Christmas Chorus'.
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.
Open from 9 November - 23 December. Adult tickets from £15.00, booking recommended.
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle will be welcoming Christmas in a slightly different way this year. Instead of opening up the house to visitors, Belvoir have curated a fabulous line-up of events to enjoy throughout the festive season.
From Saturday 23 November - Sunday 22 December, the Belvoir Retail Village will play host to a Christmas pop-up market every weekend. There will be wooden chalets filled with crafts, food and gifts, accompanied by a programme of live music.
In addition to the market, children will have the chance to step into a world of festive wonder with the Christmas Trail at Belvoir’s Adventure Playground. Perfect for families, this enchanting trail will be filled with magical decorations, hidden surprises, and plenty of festive fun!
Of course, no Christmas experience would be complete without a visit to Santa. Luckily, the big man will be in residence at Belvoir throughout December. Visit him in his grotto, or book a special breakfast experience the whole family can enjoy.
Open from 23 November - 1 January. Entry to the Retail Village is free, admission applies for some activities.