Christmas 2021
Celebrate the festive season with family and friends at our historic places.
For 2021, we’re looking forward to bringing back our popular Enchanted events at Eltham Palace and Audley End House and Gardens. What’s more, our festive family-friendly adventure quest will now be available over the entire festive season.
Read on to discover more, find an event near you and explore the history of your favourite Christmas traditions.
Enchanted Events
Our popular Enchanted events are returning to Eltham Palace and Audley End House and Gardens this winter.
Gather your friends and family to banish the dark winter nights and experience the past in a spectacular new light. Explore the grounds and gardens to discover a magical world of illumination, sound and colour, and see historic buildings bathed in light.
Warm up with a glass of mulled wine, toast a marshmallow under the night sky or hop on a traditional fairground ride. Our shops will be open for you to stock up on a range of Christmas gifts, from traditional toys to award-winning food and drink.
Book TicketsChristmas Adventure Quests 2021
Explore our historic places with a festive family-friendly adventure quest. Follow the trail, find the clues and discover our amazing stories and secrets. This year our Christmas quest will be available throughout the festive season. You can join the quest at the following places from 27 Nov - 2 Jan 2022:
South of England
Dover Castle, 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey & Battlefield, Osborne, Pendennis Castle, Stonehenge
London and the East of England
Framlingham Castle, Wrest Park,
The Midlands
Bolsover Castle, Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden
North of England
Whitby Abbey, Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
A Victorian Christmas
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VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
From presents to puddings, discover the Victorian origins of some of the traditions practiced across the country today.
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MAKE A FIG PUDDING THE VICTORIAN WAY
For a history-inspired alternative to your shop-bought 'figgy pudding' this year, why not try making a fig pudding as described by our own Victorian cook, Mrs Crocombe?
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HOW DID QUEEN VICTORIA AND PRINCE ALBERT POPULARISE CHRISTMAS?
One of the main reasons the Victorians fell in love with Christmas was because of the way the Royal family celebrated it. Sam Bilton investigates the festive feasts and other Christmas traditions.
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WHAT’S ON THE TABLE? CHRISTMAS TURKEY IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND
Turkey has been associated with winter feasting since the late Tudor era, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became quite so obligatory on December 25th.
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Historical How-Tos
Join our Victorian cook Mrs Crocombe to try some of her recipes from the 1880s, or learn how to make a Tudor 'kissing bough' wreath.
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Victorian Christmas Crafts
Gilded walnuts, pin-prick cards and paper flowers are just a few of the lesser-known Victorian Christmas traditions. Follow our guide to make your own at home.
The History of Father Christmas
The jolly old man who sneaks into our houses every 24 December is beloved across the world and known by many names. But should you call him Father Christmas, St Nicholas or Santa Claus? What's the difference? Where did he come from? Is he a Christian saint or a corporate stooge?
In this article we'll explore how Father Christmas emerged in England at a time when seasonal celebrations were under attack. We'll also uncover the transatlantic origins of Santa Claus, and find out what happened when these two festive figureheads met in the 19th century.
Find out moreA SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS GREENERY
Decorating our homes with greenery is a Christmas tradition ingrained in our national consciousness. The Christmas tree is, of course, the most well-known, but it is equally hard to imagine Christmas without wreaths, holly and mistletoe. But when and why did such traditions emerge?
In this article we delve into the history of Christmas greenery to try to find the origins of some much loved traditions.
Find out moreChristmas Through the Ages
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Why do we give gifts at Christmas?
Giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is one of the joys of the festive season. But why do we engage in this annual tradition?
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History of Christmas
Discover the history of Christmas through time, starting around 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic and evolving traditions throughout the centuries.
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CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS LIKE A MEDIEVAL MONK
Christmas is one of the major festivals of the Christian church. Find out how it was marked by the monks at Rievaulx Abbey?
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MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS FOOD
Special effort has been made across the social spectrum to mark Christmas. Here are five culinary highlights from medieval England.
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HOW WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR SPENT CHRISTMAS IN 1066
Christmas marks the anniversary of William the Conqueror’s coronation. Find out about the coronation after a turbulent 1066.
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Christmas Dinners Through History
Explore festive feasts through time, from prehistoric midwinter feasts, to Tudor banquets fit for Henry VIII and a 1930s dinner you might recognise.
CHRISTMAS PODCASTS
Learn more about our historic properties and collections in our weekly podcast. Join presenter Charles Rowe as he meets leading experts to find out about the people and places that helped to shape England’s history.
Throughout the festive period we will be exploring the origins of Mead, learning which Christmas traditions were invented by Victoria and Albert, and finding out about the raucous Christmas party planner of the past, the Lord of Misrule.
DISCOVER OUR PODCASTS-
A Christmas conversation: The history of midwinter traditions
Explore the history of the midwinter traditions that extend beyond Christmas Day into the New Year. Discover the alternative name for Boxing Day, why there are 12 days of Christmas and the origins of Christmas carols and gift giving. Plus, we reveal the surprising truth about when you should take your Christmas decorations down.
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The rise of mead: the world's oldest alcoholic drink
Once the Vikings’ drink of choice, mead now has a new and growing following of people who are putting a modern twist on the historical classic. To celebrate the revival of this golden brew, we head into the studio with resident expert Cameron Moffett to discover the history of the world’s oldest alcoholic drink.
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Celebrating Christmas with Queen Victoria and Albert at Osborne
Osborne curator Michael Hunter to reveals how Queen Victoria and Prince Albert celebrated Christmas. Discover how the royal couple popularised a new way of seeing in the festive season, how Prince Albert was instrumental in bringing German traditions to Britain and what Christmas was like for the servants working at Osborne.
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A weird and wonderful history of Christmas
English Heritage Trustee Ronald Hutton discussed weird and wonderful Christmas traditions. Listen on to discover the story behind Santa Claus, the yule log and Christmas cards, carols, trees and stockings, not to mention the puzzling traditions of kissing under mistletoe, wassailing, Mummers' plays and the Lord of Misrule.
Christmas Carols From Bolsover Castle
Enjoy traditional Christmas carols to help you get you into the festive spirit.
In this special performance the Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Steven Roberts, present O Come, All Ye Faithful, Away in a Manger and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing in the beautiful surrounds of this historic castle.
Watch on YouTubeThings to do in winter
A selection of our free-to-enter and staffed sites remain open across England. All have large outdoor spaces for you to get outside safely this winter.
Wrap up warm and explore the sites open near you. Enjoy frosty garden walks or discover local historic ruins. If you are staying in, we have a wide range of videos, articles and quizzes so you can learn something new from the comfort of your own home. We've got all the tips you need to enjoy the colder months ahead.
Find out moreMore to Explore - Christmas
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Dog Friendly Days Out
We've got lots of options for dog-friendly days out at our castles, abbeys and historic gardens. Find a day out for you and your furry friend.
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Gift of membership
Give the gift of unlimited access to over 400 historic places this Christmas, with English Heritage membership.
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UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Our carefully chosen range offers inspiring, imaginative, and unusual alternatives to the high street.
