Christmas at Hardwick Hall: Wintertide
Visitors begin their journey in the busy Elizabethan kitchens as the household prepares for feasting and revelry before exploring the hall filled with 16th-century cheer. Rooms are dressed with handcrafted decorations, winter greenery, and twinkly lights. Guests can carry a lantern through the house and follow a trail to search for the family's lost pearls.
What to Expect
Experience an Elizabethan festive season with handcrafted decor and lantern-lit rooms.
Event Details
Duration
Walking around the displays takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
National Trust
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and visitors who enjoy historic houses and festive trails
Vibe
Atmospheric and festive
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
Moderate
Weather Sensitivity
None
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: The festive displays are included with membership or a non-member ticket for the Hall. An optional Wintertide Visitor Booklet costs £3.
- Parking: A car park is available. For non-members, car parking is included in the main entrance ticket or Stableyard ticket.
- Accessibility: Upper levels are accessible only via stairs, with wheelchairs available on each level.
- Pets: Dogs are not allowed in Hardwick Hall unless they are registered service dogs. Dogs are welcome in the garden, Stableyard area and parkland.
Tips & Advice
- Bring a cross-body bag or wear your backpack on your front, because backpacks on your back aren't allowed inside, to protect the collections.
- Keep one hand free in the house, because you'll carry a lantern through the rooms and the lighting is low.
- Skip the trip if the Old Hall or tapestries are your main reason for visiting, because the Old Hall and middle floor are closed during Wintertide.
- Leave your dog in the garden or parkland with someone, or use the dog-friendly seating in the Great Barn Restaurant, because only service dogs are allowed in the hall.
- Book any group visit before 11 December, because group bookings for Wintertide aren't taken after that date.
Special Events & Promotions
- Wintertide wreath-making workshop on 4 December, making a festive wreath from willow and fabric.
- Wintertide storytelling and folk carols with Storyfolk on 19 December and one other date, with Elizabethan tales and festive songs.
- An optional Wintertide visitor booklet is available from Visitor Reception for an extra charge.
- Group bookings are open for Wintertide 2026 but close after Friday 11 December.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book ahead?
No. Entry through the hall is free flow and you can't buy tickets in advance. Just turn up on the day, as there's plenty of room.
How long does it take to see the displays?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour to walk around the displays.
What should I bring?
Be ready to carry a lantern through the house. To protect the collections, backpacks must be worn on your front or carried at your side.
Is it accessible?
The displays are on the ground and upper floors. The upper levels can only be reached by stairs, but wheelchairs are available on each level. Lighting is low for the lantern tour.
Will the whole hall be open?
No. The Old Hall, the middle floor and the exhibition rooms are closed during Wintertide. Some displays may block parts of the tapestry collection.
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