This Festive Season, experience a Christmas filled with Regency sparkle, seasonal storytelling and theatre, joyful workshops, and festive events for all the family at Chawton House.
Opening Dates & Hours
| 21 November-30 November | Fri-Sun | 10am-3.30pm |
| 1 December-21 December |
Weds-Sun | 11am-6pm |
| 22 Dec-4 January 2025 |
Every day* | 11am-6pm |
| * Except 24, 25 & 26 + early closing on 31 December at 3.30pm |
Key Christmas Highlights
A Regency Christmas
From 21 November, Chawton House will be dressed for a Regency Christmas, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Rooted in the Regency traditions of family, hospitality, and handmade charm, our Christmas display has been lovingly crafted by our dedicated volunteer Christmas Committee, who will fill each room with bespoke decorations inspired by early 19th-century celebrations. From warm welcomes in the Great Hall to festive entertainments upstairs, and a brand new Library display exploring Christmas through our collection of women’s writing, the House will be alive with the spirit of gathering together, making, sharing, and delighting in one another’s company — a reminder that, then as now, the heart of Christmas lies in creativity, community, and the joy of being together.
The Glimmering Gardens
After a special evening premier on Saturday 29 November, you can explore our magical Gardens from 3pm-6pm on opening days. Wander through the beautifully illuminated Rose and Walled Gardens, and the Shrubbery and see Chawton House in a new light.
For the Jane Austen Fans
Jane Austen at the Great House, and Afternoon Tea
- When: Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 November, Monday 1 & Tuesday 2 December, 1pm
- Details: Join one of our sell-out special Jane Austen 250 guided tours, highlighting Jane Austen’s connection to the ‘Great House’, followed by a Pride and Prejudice-inspired Afternoon Tea.
- Tickets: £40
Onsite Talk: Gill Hornby, The Elopement
- When: Sunday 30 November, 4.30pm
- Details: Join best-selling author Gill Hornby in the fourth in our Jane Austen Book Club series, discussing her latest book, The Elopment, based partly at Chawton House.
- Tickets: £15
Online Talk: Susan Allen Ford, Hester Mulso Chapone, Jane Austen, and Pride and Prejudice
- When: Wednesday 10 December, 8pm
- Details: Visit our digital living room for the fifth event for our Jane Austen Book Club, and the third Deirdre Le Faye memorial lecture with Austen scholar Susan Allen Ford.
- Tickets: £6
Jane Austen’s Birthday: Guided Jane Austen at the Great House Tours and Afternoon Tea
- When: Tuesday 16 December, Tour only: 11am | Tour & Tea: 12pm or 2pm
- Details: Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday at Chawton House, with a day of guided tours and Pride and Prejudice-inspired Afternoon Teas.
- Tickets: Tour only: £15pp | Tour & Tea: £40pp
For the Creatives
Folk-Inspired Embroidery Workshop
- When: Sunday 23 November and Sunday 30 November, 10.30am-3.30pm (2-part workshop)
- Details: Join Royal School of Needlework graduate Emily Barnett for this two-part embroidery workshop, creating a Crewelwork Hand Embroidered hoop inspired by Fair Isle Knitting patterns.
- Tickets: £100 (materials provided)
Christmas Wreath Workshop
- When: Friday 28 November, 6-8pm
- Details: Create a festive wreath with materials from our gardens, guided by florist Helen Knight. Includes mulled wine and mince pies.
- Tickets: £65 (materials provided)
Festive Flower Brooch Workshop
- When: Thursday 11 December, 11am
- Details: Relax in the peace and quiet of the Billiards Room and learn to stitch your own beautiful flower brooch – the perfect Christmas gift – with refreshments included.
- Tickets: £20 (materials provided)
For the Theatre-Lovers
Theatre: A Christmas Carol
- When: Friday 12 December, 5pm & 7.30pm
- Details: Step back in time this Christmas for a heartwarming evening of kindness, carols and festive spirit, with This is My Theatre’s performance of A Christmas Carol.
- Tickets: Adults £18 | Under 16s £13.50pp.
Alton Fringe Theatre: Readings from Jane Austen
- When: Saturday 13 & 20 December, 12pm & 2pm
- Details: During your festive visit to Chawton House, enjoy free dramatised readings from Jane Austen’s most beloved works, brought to life by the Alton Fringe Theatre.
- Tickets: Included in admission
For the Families
Late Opening: Glimmering Gardens Premier
- When: Saturday 29 November, 3-6pm
- Details: Join us for an exclusive preview evening and be amongst the first to experience this year’s Glimmering Gardens
- Tickets: Included in admission
Brunch with Father Christmas
- When: Saturday 6, Sunday 7, Saturday 13, Sunday 14, Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December, 9.30am
- Details: Enjoy a delightfully festive brunch with a buffet of pancakes and pastries and a choice of savoury plates, and a visit from Father Christmas in the Old Kitchen Tearoom.
- Tickets: Kids £10 | Adults £20
For the Feasting
Festive Supper with the Kings Pond Shantymen
- When: Friday 5 December, 6pm
- Details: Welcome the Festive Season with a hearty 3-course Festive Supper in the Great Hall, followed by a Christmas performance by the Kings Pond Shantymen.
- Tickets: £40
And a little extra treat…
Enjoy seasonal food and hot drinks in the Old Kitchen Tearoom with a special Christmas menu, and shop for unique gifts in our Christmas Shop.