Embrace the magic of Christmas with the National Trust in Cornwall
Across Cornwall, National Trust places are full of warmth, magic and sparkle as the festive season approaches.
Wrap up and embrace the chilly days with a family walk around a country estate, or get into the Christmas spirit with carols, open fires, and mince pies. There’s lots on offer this season, from a 60-foot Christmas garland to Father Christmas stopping by and festive family trails to wreath-making workshops. What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations. Here is what’s happening near you this season, please check property website for opening days and times, especially over the Christmas period:
Cotehele
Christmas Garland
23 Nov to 5 Jan (closed 25 and 26 Dec). 10.30am-4pm
Celebrate the festive season with a trip to Cotehele to see the annual Christmas Garland in the Great Hall. For over 65 years our garden team has continued the tradition to create a 60-ft long Christmas garland using thousands of flowers grown on the estate. The Kitchen, Breakfast Room, and Victorian Library within the house will also be open.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
A Victorian family Christmas at Cotehele Mill
Daily from 20 Dec to 5 Jan (closed 25 and 26 Dec). 11am-4pm.
Follow the festive lights along the stream to find Cotehele Mill tucked within the Morden Valley. The mill will be decorated in traditional Victorian style and you’ll be able to discover how families, like the Langsfords, who lived at Cotehele Mill, celebrated Christmas in those times. Head to the first floor for toys to play with, costumes to adorn yourselves in, and craft activities to complete.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Godolphin
Trust10
Sun 24 Nov and 22 Dec. 8.30–11am
Join a fun, free, and friendly trail run around the beautiful Godolphin estate. Two loops of 5km with stunning views throughout. Post-run refreshments and cake available to purchase from the tea-room. And in December join us for the Tinsel10 where Christmas fancy dress is highly encouraged!
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Pentire
Wassail at Pentire
5 Jan. 12noon-3pm.
Join us in a traditional ceremony to awaken the cider apple trees to ensure a fruitful harvest in the autumn. We're delighted to be joined by Jolly Good Music who'll be hosting the ceremony and playing traditional music. There'll also be apple-themed activities. Why not combine with a refreshing coastal walk and enjoy a treat from the café?
Price: Free. Booking not required.
The Dodman
Hemmick beach cleans
4 Jan. 10-11am
Can you spare an hour or so to help us keep Hemmick beach looking beautiful, and safer for wildlife? Gloves, bags, and litter pickers provided. Please also feel free to bring your own gloves if you'd like.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
Trelissick
Christmas at Trelissick
Daily 7 Dec to 5 Jan (closed 25 and 26 Dec). 11am-4pm
Trelissick is celebrating a Cornish Christmas, with the house richly decorated with the black and gold of Cornish tartan. A tipi will cover the stable yard providing a cosy space for choir performances, and a pop-up cafe will be serving hot drinks and mince pies.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
An audience with Father Christmas
7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec, 19-23 Dec. Multiple time slots during the day, see website.
Father Christmas returns to the stable yard this December where he’ll tell a special story of a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick. Once the storytelling has finished he’ll hand out a small gift at the end to each child. The story is aimed at children 3 years and older.
Price: £6 per child and £2 per adult. Booking essential via the website.
Relaxed sessions with Father Christmas
7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec, 21-22 Dec. 4.15-4.45pm
This is an accessible session aimed at providing Trelissick’s ‘An Audience with Father Christmas’ with a more relaxed and calmer Father Christmas experience. With reduced noise levels and crowds, we hope to create a less stressful environment with Father Christmas. The festive story of a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick will last approximately 20-30 minutes with time at the end to receive a small gift from Father Christmas. A limited number of ear defenders and sensory toys will be available for use in the quiet sessions on the day and an access statement is available from our website.
Price: £6 per child and £2 per adult. Booking essential via the website.
Trerice
Father Christmas at Trerice
7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec, 19-23 Dec. Multiple time slots during the day, see website.
This festive season, Father Christmas will be stopping by Trerice to share tales and traditions of Christmases past. Join him in the Drawing Room, where you will find him in his familiar robes of red, for 30-minute sessions throughout the day. All children will go home with a small gift.
Price: £5 per child and £4 per adult. Booking essential via the website.
Choir performances
7 and 8 Dec, 14 and 15 Dec, 17, 19, 21 and 23 Dec. 2-3pm
This Christmas, Trerice will host a selection of choirs in the barn, as they spread some Christmas cheer by performing a variety of Christmas carols. The local choirs are Trerice volunteer choir, Halwyn a Gan choir, Perraners choir and inTune choir, see website for which dates they’re each performing.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
East Pool Mine Family Film Club
Working in collaboration with Mor Media Charity Cornwall Film Festival, we welcome the local community to East Pool Mine to join us for our free film club viewing of family friendly films on the last Saturday of each month. Please book your free spaces and bring along snacks to enjoy the films on offer.
Saturday 28 December – Elf.
Price: Free. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.
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