Things to Do
An image of a young boy opening a door into a large room filled with snow-covered trees.

Top 5 Things To Do in December

This December, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help inspire your visits.

Go on a walk through history, try traditional Victorian crafts, and join us for a month full of festive events. Read on to discover fascinating history, unmissable events and captivating places.

An image of three friends walking round a dark garden illuminated by colourful light. Two people dressed in medieval garments are stood to the side, just off the path.

1. Get into the Christmas spirit at our events

Make this holiday season extra special with unforgettable experiences for the whole family.

Gather your loved ones for a trip into the enchanting world of Narnia at Wrest Park, complete with festive decorations and scenes from the beloved story. Follow a dazzling light trail through the ruins of Battle Abbey and let the sounds carry you back to the winter of 1066. There's even a theatrical journey through the stunning art-deco mansion of Eltham Palace on offer.

Alternatively, fill your weekends with Christmas cheer at our Festive Fun events. There’ll be a host of jolly entertainment, including storytelling, toymaking, carols, and crafts.

Find out more
An image of a man with a long white beard dressed in a red robe telling stories to a family. They are surrounded by several tall bookshelves and the grand interior of a country house.

2. Enjoy festive quests and meet Father Christmas

Young history enthusiasts can embark on a festive quest to uncover the magic of Christmas and its much-loved traditions. There are 12 stops to discover, each filled with seasonal stories, activities and exciting challenges.

There's also the chance to meet Father Christmas and join him for a special festive story. After the group storytelling, every child will be able to take photos with the man himself and receive a traditional present to unwrap.

If you’re looking for Christmas shopping inspiration, we have unique range of items inspired by history which make for thoughtful, memorable gifts.

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An image of the sun rising behind the iconic Stonehenge stone circle. There is a light layer of frost on the ground at its base.

3. Join us for the winter solstice

During the winter solstice, the earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point from the sun. This means that, for us in the northern hemisphere, the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. It’s also the shortest day of the year - and the longest night.

On the morning of Saturday 21 December you can marvel at an event that has marked the passage of time for thousands of years, all from the comfort of your home. We will once again be bringing the solstice to you with our live stream from the stones. Watch live on the official Stonehenge or English Heritage Facebook page, or the English Heritage YouTube channel.

Learn about the winter solstice
An image of a family wearing winter coats walking a fluffy white dog through the countryside.

4. Go on a walk through history

Many of our sites are situated amongst some of England’s most picturesque scenery. Over the festive season relax with a rejuvenating stroll through spectacular historical landscapes. Most of our free sites are open all year round, and you can find out about the winter opening hours of individual sites on our property pages.

Our guides are divided by region and detail routes between two or three different sites to make the most of the day. Bring along a picnic or enjoy lunch in one of our top tearooms and spend the day walking in the footsteps of our ancestors.

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An image of several handmade cards with a design made from small holes, and several colourful paper flowers.

5. Discover Victorian Christmas crafts

Plenty of today's favourite Christmas traditions were popularised by Queen Victoria and the royal family. Many Victorians embraced simple paper crafts as an easy way to decorate their homes.

Start the festive fun with a range of Victorian crafts. Create pretty paper flowers to brighten up your outfits and houses. Send traditional pin-prick cards to your friends and family. Lastly discover how to make your own Christmas crackers, a craft first patented in London in 1847.

Find out more

The month in history

  • On 25 December 1066 Duke William of Normandy marched into London and was crowned King of England. This was after his defeat of Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, which gained him the title of ‘William the Conqueror.’
  • Charles Darwin embarked on his five-year-long expedition aboard the HMS Beagle on 27 December 1831. This journey and the discoveries made upon it would contribute to Darwin’s ground-breaking theory of evolution, much of which was written at Down House.
  • Prince Albert died on 14 December 1861, at the age of 42. Queen Victoria entered a state of permanent deep mourning, famously only wearing black until her death 40 years later. Both Queen Victoria and Albert shared many happy memories at Osborne, their holiday home.
  • Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams was born on the 15 December 1899. His former home at 2 Hodford Road is now marked by a blue plaque. It was while living at this address that Abrahams won his famous gold medal at the 1924 Olympics.

More to explore

  • Inspire Me

    We’ve handpicked our favourite articles, guides and stories to inspire your next day out. Find out what's new - your next adventure starts here...

  • THE ENGLISH HERITAGE PODCAST

    Every object has a story to tell - but how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places? Amy Matthews explores tales from unexpected places.

  • Become a member today

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