Top 10 country houses for Christmas Markets

There is nowhere more idyllic at this time of year than our many heritage properties when these houses and gardens provide beautiful settings for a range of Christmas themed events to get you in the seasonal spirit. The period finishings offer the perfect settings to step back in time to bygone eras, and indeed many properties offer special period events, offering a chance to meet Victorian Father Christmas or celebrate an Edwardian Christmas.

We're bringing you the best 30 properties to visit this Christmas. Here are our top ten properties holding Christmas markets...

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum, Devon
Homemade Christmas Fair
19 – 20 November 11am – 3pm

This glorious family estate proves to be a great shopping spot too, as it welcomes the handmade Christmas Fair. Showcasing local producers selling hand made gifts ranging from jams and shawls to stained glass, it’s bound to be easy to find perfect, one-off gifts for your loved ones. Furthermore, Arlington is home to C.S. Lewis’s Tales of Narnia this winter, meaning children can be enchanted by the Narnia trail exploring The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Normal admission charges apply, plus £1 per Narnia trail.

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum, Arlington, near Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4LP
 

Wenlock Priory, Shropshire
Local Residents' Shopping Evening
22 November

This castle’s Visitor Centre welcomes guests for an evening of Christmas shopping. There’ll be free mulled wine as well as preserve, wine and liqueur tasting. A similar event runs on 29 November at Kenilworth Castle and visitors receive an exclusive 10% discount on purchases.

Entrance is free.

5 Sheinton Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, TF13 6HS
Image: Nadia Mackenzie
 

Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace, Lincolnshire
A Medieval Christmas Market
1 – 4 December, various times

This is a Christmas market with something a little special in the form of the magnificent medieval surroundings of the Lincoln Medieval Bishop’s Palace. Once one of the most important buildings in the city, the palace has views across the city and is situated next door to the Lincoln cathedral. There will be stalls selling all manner of Christmas gifts at this medieval market.

Entrance is free.

Minster Yard, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 1PU

Attingham Park, Shropshire
Christmas Frost Fair
2 – 4 December 10am – 4pm

Attingham Park hosts over a hundred local craft and food stalls in this lovely Christmas market. A more sedate shopping experience than the high street, this is a great chance to pick up presents for family and friends. While you’re here, why not make the most of your day by exploring the extensive deer park or the 18th-century mansion?

Normal admission charges apply, but the event is free.

Attingham Park, Atcham, Shrewsbury, SY4 4TP
 

Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
Sudbury’s Christmas Market
3 – 4 December 11am – 4pm

Visit the Christmas market at Sudbury Hall and know you are supporting local producers – local stallholders will be selling varied gifts, along with festive food. You can watch the hall being decorated and even visit Father Christmas.

Normal admission charges apply, plus £4 per child receiving a gift from Father Christmas.

Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 5HT
 

Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Christmas at Blickling
3-4, 10-11 & 17-18 December 11am – 5pm

Much more than just a market, Christmas at Blickling is a fantastic day out, packed full of activities. The Christmas Courtyard holds a marquee filled with festive crafts and seasonal food, the house itself is decorated sumptuously and you can also purchase Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery. Children can follow a trail of decorated Christmas trees to the Temple where Father Christmas is waiting.

Tickets cost £9 for adults and £4.50 for children.

Blickling Estate, Blickling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 6NF
Image: National Trust 

Erdigg, Wrexham
Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland
3-4 10-11 & 17-18 December 10am – 5pm

Celebrating Christmas at this early 18th-century Welsh country house means you can browse a traditional market whilst listening to the festive sounds of the live music performers. Artisans show their wares in picturesque wooden chalets and Father Christmas resides near his toy workshop. As well as sorting out your Christmas shopping, you can take a wintery walk in the formal garden and romantic landscape park.

Adults pay £1 to enter the market and there is a £5 charge per child meeting Father Christmas.

Erdigg, Wrexham, LL13 0YT
 

Ham House and Garden, Surrey
Christmas at Ham House and Garden
3-4 10-11 & 17-18 December 11am – 5pm

Ham House hosts its popular Christmas Fair on weekends throughout December, providing plenty of opportunities to find original Christmas ideas from traders. Visitors will stay toasty too as the fair takes place in a heated marquee. Refreshments are available at the Orangery all day and family activities and entertainment can be found in the basement of the house.

Admission fees are £3.65 for adults and £2.45 for children and include family activities. National Trust members go free.

Ham House and Garden, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW10 7RS
 

Killerton, Devon
Christmas in the Stables
9 – 11 December 5 – 9pm

Encompassing 20 farms and over 200 cottages, the Killerton estate is one of the largest the National Trust has ever acquired. Visit the site for a special evening opening of the house and stable-block. There will be craft and food stalls, carol singers, along with the fully decorated Killerton House to enjoy.

Normal admission charges apply.

Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE
 

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Christmas Craft and Gift Show
10 – 11 December 11am – 6pm

Visit this Derbyshire country estate for your Christmas shopping and you can hear the tales of the eccentric family who used to reside here. This Christmas market gathers together fine crafts and original Christmas gifts, and you can visit the site’s restaurant for a post-shopping snack.

Normal admission charges apply.

Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby, Derbyshire, DE73 7LE
 

There are plenty more events at heritage properties this Christmas. For more information, visit the National Trust or England Heritage sites.
 

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