Storytime with Father Christmas at Chatsworth
Families gather in the Oak Barn at the farmyard to hear Father Christmas share a seasonal story. Children can meet Father Christmas, receive a small gift, and craft their own reindeer food with the elves. Admission also includes access to explore the farmyard and adventure playground.
What to Expect
Festive storytelling, reindeer food making, and farmyard play at Chatsworth.
Event Details
Ages
Children aged 1-16 require tickets, accompanied by an adult. Suitable for ages up to 11 for the gift.
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Chatsworth House Trust
Food & Drink
Adult tickets include a hot drink voucher redeemable at any Chatsworth catering outlet.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and storybook
Energy Level
Low
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: £23 per child and £19 per adult. Tickets include the storytime session, reindeer-food making, a small gift for each child (suitable for ages up to 11), farmyard and adventure playground access, a hot-drink voucher for adult ticketholders redeemable at any Chatsworth catering outlet, and parking for one vehicle per transaction.
- Hours: Fri 18, Sat 19, Sun 20 and Wed 23 Dec: 10.15am, 11.00am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm and 4.15pm; Mon 21 Dec: 11.00am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm and 4.15pm; Tue 22 Dec: 10.15am, 11.00am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm and 4.15pm.
- Parking: Each transaction includes parking for one vehicle. During the busy Christmas period visitors may be directed to park on a trackway in the parkland and use a tractor and trailer shuttle bus to travel to and from the main house car park. Allow plenty of time, dress for the weather and have a torch.
- Accessibility: The event takes place in the Oak Barn on the upper level of the farmyard, which is accessible by lift, and accessible toilets are available.
Tips & Advice
- Get to the farmyard entrance 10 minutes before your session, because latecomers may not be let in and there are no refunds.
- Leave plenty of travel time, because at Christmas you may park in the parkland and ride the tractor-and-trailer shuttle to the main car park.
- Dress for the weather and bring a torch, since you may be walking to and from parking in the parkland.
- Charge your camera or phone before you go, because you'll get a chance to meet Father Christmas after the story.
- Use your farmyard and adventure playground access any time on the day of your visit, and spend the adult hot drink voucher at any Chatsworth catering outlet.
Special Events & Promotions
- Quieter autism-friendly sessions run on 21 and 22 December, with fewer tickets and lower background music and lighting.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a ticket?
All children aged 1 to 16 need a ticket and must be with an adult ticket holder. The small gift each child gets suits ages up to 11.
What does the ticket include?
You get the storytime with Father Christmas, a chance to meet him, and reindeer food making with the elves. Each child gets a small gift. Your ticket also covers the farmyard and adventure playground, a hot drink voucher for each adult, and parking for one vehicle per booking.
Where do we meet?
Meet at the farmyard entrance 10 minutes before your session. Latecomers may not be let in, and there are no refunds.
Is there a quieter session for children with autism?
Yes. There are quieter, autism-friendly sessions on 21 and 22 December. Fewer tickets are sold so staff can give each child more support, and the background music and lighting are turned down.
Is the Oak Barn accessible?
The Oak Barn is on the upper level of the farmyard, and there's a lift. The farmyard has accessible toilets. For access questions or a carer ticket, email farmyard@chatsworth.org.
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