Christmas at Doddington

Event Detail

Start Date: November 18, 2023
End Date: December 22, 2023
Adult £15
Child 4-16yrs: £8.50 (3 and under free)
Family: £40
Doddington Season Ticket Holders: Free

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Discover a truly mesmerising experience as you journey through ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. From a partridge in a pear tree to drummers drumming, step into the classic carol as it unfolds over three floors of the Elizabethan Hall, with a Doddington twist of course!

This year we’ll be extending opening hours on selected dates into early evening, so visitors can make the most of twilight with the warm glow of decorations and twinkling fairy lights.

It’s an opportunity to soak up the seasonal atmosphere of Christmas in a treasured family home, which has seen a lot of Christmas mornings over its four hundred year plus history.

A chance to see what the present day family and staff have created and to think about how Christmas may have looked and felt through the centuries. Spectacular scenes have been created by Doddington staff, volunteers, local artists and students from Lincoln College.

Planning for Christmas at Doddington begins as early as January and fills a large part of the year. By November the Hall is completely transformed and we have the fantastic opportunity to welcome visitors to explore the magic of our imaginative displays. Find out more: The Making of Christmas at Doddington.

It is within the sustainable aspirations of the estate that our creatives have made sure to use natural, recycled and upcycled resources wherever possible. This includes natural materials such as birch, willow, and bulrushes from our very own gardens and recycled materials from across the estate. Not only does this help us to limit the use of single use plastic and imported materials, it also helps us to celebrate the beauty and value of the resources of the Doddington Estate.

OPENING TIMES

18 November – 17 December, Wednesday – Sunday, Weekdays 11am-4pm & Weekends 10am-4pm plus special twilight opening until 5pm on 13-15 December

18 December – 22 December; open daily 11am-5pm

Last timed entry slot 30mins prior to closing

ACCESS TALKS – If you are unable to access the stairs, there will be a dedicated talk in our Library with one of our Room Guides at 12noon and 2pm daily. Please make sure to book onto one of the Access Talk slots on your selected date.

TICKETS

Adult: £15, Child 4-16yrs: £8.50 (3 and under free), Family: £40

Doddington Season Ticket Holders: Free

BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Please pre-book tickets online as tickets are limited on arrival. Entry to the Hall is by timed ticket only (last timed entry is 30mins prior to closing).

Please note that Christmas at Doddington is a special event and Historic Houses, Art Fund, CPRE and any other cards/promotions are not valid during this period.

GROUP VISITS

Please note we will not be providing private group tours, however, groups of more than 16 people are welcome for self-guided visits. Please get in touch to book your visit hannah@doddingtonhall.com (Groups with fewer than 16 people can book online).

ACCESSIBILITY

Please note that electric scooters/wheelchairs cannot be used in the Hall.

The upper two floors are not accessible to wheelchairs. However, we do provide ramps to enable manual wheelchair access on the ground floor. The Hall is not suitable for pushchairs as the upper floors are not accessible, we recommend leaving pushchairs at the front desk.

ACCESS TALKS – If you are unable to access the stairs, there will be a dedicated talk in our Library with one of our Room Guides at 12noon and 2pm daily. Please make sure to book onto one of the Access Talk slots on your selected date.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. Please note that your tickets cannot be transferred, exchanged or refunded. If the event is cancelled then a full refund will be issued automatically.

2. Entry to the Hall is by timed ticket only. Please note that you are only able to gain entry into the Hall at your pre-booked time slot. Please make your way to the front of the Hall no earlier than two minutes before your allocated time to ensure safe entry. You will then be called through by a member of staff for your free flow visit.

3. You are welcome to arrive and explore the Gardens anytime between 11am-3pm Wed-Fri and 10am-4pm Saturday & Sunday (last timed entry is 30mins prior to closing).

4. If you have selected a Doddington Hall Season Ticket or Voucher ticket type, please show a valid card/voucher on arrival along with your e-ticket. If you are unable to present a valid card/voucher then you will be charged the full admission price.

5. No large bags permitted in the Hall.

6. Dogs are not permitted in the Hall and Gardens (assistance dogs only).

7. The upper floors of the Hall are not accessible by wheelchair or pushchair. Please see our accessibility page prior to visiting.

8. Photography is welcome (no flash please). Photoshoots and commercial photography is not permitted.

9. Toilets are open in the Gardens.

10. Enjoy your visit!

MAKE A DAY OF IT


Indulge in a wonderfully festive Afternoon Tea in the Doddington Winter Tea Room (booking essential) and enjoy a spot of retail therapy or gift shopping in our shops. Don’t forget a visit to the Bauble Barn, bursting with something for every taste, from traditional to naturals, we have something to complement every home.

A visit to Doddington Hall to choose a freshly-cut homegrown tree is part of many families’ seasonal calendar. From 25 November, the Stable Yard will again be full of trees with plenty of shapes and sizes to choose from.