Petworth House are decking their halls with more than just boughs of holly this Christmas.
With choirs in the courtyard, seasonal treats and decorations galore, the National Trust house in West Sussex is pulling out all the stops to help you feel festive with your loved ones this Christmas.
We sit down with visitor operations and experience manager Sue Rhodes, who tells us about the abundance of delights they have on offer this year to make this Christmas their best one yet.
1. Showstopper Christmas trees
This year’s theme is a ‘Tree-mendous’ Christmas, so Christmas trees will be taking centre stage.
Visitors will be able to discover over 30 Christmas trees that have been inspired by their historic art-filled surroundings. There will be a 12-foot tree in the Square Dining Room which will be decorated with the hobbies and interests of seven generations of the family who have lived at Petworth House.
The marble hall will be transformed into an enchanted winter forest with a winding path to explore and discover woodland creatures from deer to mice in the forest. The display will be stunning, and we expect this to be very popular.
The Little Dining Room’s tree is inspired by the William Morris-style floral curtains and the ceramics in this room - the tree will be complete with hundreds of handmade paper flowers made by our staff and volunteers.
The Carved Room is covered in intricate carvings by several carvers including Grinling Gibbons (a renowned carver and sculptor), and is where the six chainsaw-carved trees will stand proudly with foliage on the fireplaces to embody the natural forms shown in the designs on the walls.
The Red Room pays homage to the brilliant community partners and organisations who work with Petworth House. We’ve invited each partner to create their own star to decorate the tree in this room to represent who they are - our community is so important to us at Petworth, and this is our chance to celebrate them and say thank you.
The final stop in the house is the Chapel, where we’re inviting our visitors to write their very own Christmas wish to hang on the trees under the stained-glass windows.
2. The Christmas-Makers Market
And for the real festive-lovers wanting to truly immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit, the Petworth House Christmas-Makers Market is not to be missed. Taking place on December 3 and 4 (10AM to 7PM on Saturday and 10AM to 4PM on Sunday), the event is being held in partnership with Petworth Pop Up Makers Market. It will be in the Edwardian, Battery House, previously used to provide electricity for the house and estate.
There will be 29 beautiful stalls for visitors to wander through, offering a variety of handmade, local and artisan products and gifts for visitors to browse from jewellery and homewares to textiles and art.
The Saturday of this weekend coincides with Petworth town’s official festive celebrations, so this will be a great day to visit if you’re wanting to walk through the town and enjoy the wide range of independent shops and cafes as well as 70 stalls.
3. A variety of Christmas gifts and presents
Gift-buying can be a troublesome task as we get nearer to the big day, so why not get it done at the National Trust shop whilst enjoying some festive delights from the onsite café?
The shop boasts a variety of gifts and food to spoil your loved ones, including their frequent sell-out Christmas pudding, so be sure to get your hands on it while you can to complete your Christmas lunch.
During the Christmas season, the shop is open 10:30AM to 4:30PM daily. The café, open daily from 10:30AM to 4PM, will be providing a range of treats, from Christmas lunches to cakes, bakes and the seasonal staples.
Every penny you spend supports the National Trust to continue to care for Petworth House and Park, so you are also helping a good cause.
4. Choirs in the Courtyard
Beginning on November 26 and continuing every weekend until Christmas, a choir of singers will be entertaining visitors with a variety of beloved and familiar Christmas songs in the courtyard outside the house. They will be giving a morning and afternoon performance, along with an evening performance during the late-night opening dates.
5. Winter walks with the family
If you are looking to stretch your legs and enjoy some crisp winter air with your loved ones this Christmas, there’s no better spot than the 700-acre Deer Park at Petworth. You can explore the historic park, wander in the footsteps of famous artists and encounter the majestic herd of deer, while taking in the spectacular views. The landscape is breath-taking and will not disappoint.
Dogs are very welcome here at Petworth and there are many paths for you and your dog to enjoy.
No advanced booking is required, and the event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue (unless you are a National Trust member).
The House will be decorated from November 26, 2022, to January 2, 2023, from 10:30AM to 4:30PM (with last entry at 4PM), only closing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The House’s late-night opening is on 6PM-8PM on December 21, with last entry half an hour before.
To find out more about visiting Petworth House this Christmas, go to https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park/whats-on.
