Christmas at Doddington

There’s nowhere quite like Doddington at Christmas. From November, the estate is transformed for the festive season, with experiences that will soon become treasured family traditions.

Whether you’re coming for the first time or visit us every year, our handy guide will ensure you make the most of your trip to Doddington this Christmas.

It all starts with the Bauble Barn…

Due to demand (and excitement) we open our Bauble Barn in September every year. This may be a little early for some people, but for others, it marks the start of the countdown to Christmas at Doddington.

Step inside and you’ll be instantly immersed in the joy, sparkle and magic of the festive season. With baubles, wreaths, lighting and tableware, you’ll find everything you need to transform your home.

There’s colours and styles to suit every taste and budget, with everything from traditional wooden baubles to more contemporary designs lining the shelves.

Located down at the Stable Yard, the Bauble Barn is just a stone’s throw from the Grain Store and our Home & Clothing store. From the end of November, our Christmas Tree Yard is also situated here, so you can pick up your tree and your decorations in one visit!

Open from 26 September - 31 December
Monday – Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm

Experience Christmas in the Hall

We host some fantastic events at Doddington Hall, but Christmas has to be one of our favourites.

Every year, the Hall is transformed with incredible displays created by a team of volunteers and staff, local creatives and students from Lincoln College.

The theme of our Christmas event changes every year, past favourites include Tales of the Riverbank, Fairytale Christmas and A Christmas Chorus. Each room tells a different story and the attention to detail in each display is incredible.

Work on the installations begins in the height of summer. Cutting out snowflakes in the midst of a heatwave can be a little strange, but the magic of Christmas at Doddington is that everything is made by hand.

Our talented team use recycled materials, foraged items and props sourced from across the estate to create each room set. Whether it’s cutting out ten lords-a-leaping from bike boxes or creating Aladdin’s cave out of packaging from the Farm Shop, the imagination and creativity of our team knows no bounds!

Andddd… Action!

This year, Christmas at Doddington will take inspiration from your favourite festive films as we celebrate the magic of Classic Christmas Cinema.

As you journey through the Hall, each room will provide the backdrop for some serious movie magic. Discover familiar stories, characters and cinematic details, all reimagined with a Doddington twist.

Open from 11 November - 31 December
Selected days only, early booking advised

Join us for afternoon tea

Afternoon tea at Doddington Hall is always a treat, but at Christmas, we like to make it extra special. Whether you’re visiting the Hall or shopping for gifts, it’s the perfect way to round off your day.

With seasonal music, beautiful decorations and a showstopping Christmas tree, our Tea Room provides a magical setting for a festive afternoon tea.

Behind the scenes, our talented team of chefs have put together a delightfully festive menu inspired by the theme in the Hall. Designed to evoke nostalgia, you’ll find all your favourite Christmas flavours, reimagined in new and creative ways. With every element handcrafted in-house, you can expect plenty of delicious surprises.

Afternoon tea at Doddington is about more than just the food; it’s an experience to be savoured. It’s about spending quality time with your favourite people, getting into the spirit of the season and enjoying a little indulgence - it is Christmas, after all!

Available from 13 November - 30 December
Selected days only, booking essential

Pick the perfect tree

Visiting the Christmas Tree Yard at Doddington has become an annual tradition for so many families. If you love having a real tree at home, choosing one together is one of the most exciting parts about preparing for Christmas!

Our Tree Yard opens towards the end of November and remains open until 18 December. Cut fresh daily, our trees are displayed in rows and left unnetted, so you can take your time finding the perfect shape and size. Once you’ve made your choice, our friendly team will be on hand to net it for you. All that’s left is to work out how to secure it to your car!

If you want to make a day of it, you can tie in a visit to the Hall or join us for something to eat before heading down to choose your tree. The Christmas Tree Yard is conveniently located next to the Bauble Barn so you can even pick out a special decoration for your new tree. Could this become another Christmas tradition?

Christmas trees at Doddington

We’ve been growing Christmas trees in our woodland for over 60 years, with Norway Spruce and Nordmann Fir among our most popular varieties.

The Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree. Tall, straight and beautifully shaped, it has that wonderful festive scent many of us associate with a real tree. All our Norway Spruce trees are grown naturally on the estate, without pesticides or fertiliser.

With denser branches and glossy dark green needles, the Nordmann Fir has become a popular alternative to the Spruce – thanks in part to its superior needle retention! While we grow many Nordmann Firs on the estate, we also source some from a long-standing local supplier.

Of course, all real Christmas trees need a little extra care and attention once you’ve got them home, but it is definitely worth the effort!

Open from 21 November - 18 December
Opening times TBC

Gather everyone together for a festive meal

There’s no better way to celebrate Christmas than getting your friends and family together and sharing in a love of good food.

As soon as we close the gates to the pumpkin patch, our cafés and restaurant dive headfirst into celebrating, with festive menus, drinks and the most delicious afternoon teas.

At both the Farm Shop and Grain Store cafés, our hot chocolates and coffees are all given a seasonal twist. Try one of our festive specials or simply ask for a splash of Baileys in your usual order!

Throughout November and December, you’ll spot new dishes on all of our lunch menus, with festive favourites sitting alongside seasonal specials. In the Farm Shop Café, there’ll also be plenty of new cakes to help fuel your adventures on the estate… After all, what’s Christmas without a little sweet treat?

Festive à la carte

On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can join us for à la carte dining in the Grain Store. As night falls and the fairy lights twinkle, there’s nowhere cosier at Christmas – the perfect place to celebrate with loved ones.

Our Christmas menu is full of festive fare, with a ballotine of Hambleton’s turkey taking centre stage. Pigs and blankets can be (and should be) ordered as a side, and room for pudding must be saved!

This year, we’ve put a festive twist on some of your favourite desserts, including a dark chocolate brownie drizzled with sloe syrup, a figgy toffee pudding and a traditional Christmas pud, soaked in a rich spiced rum sauce.

Tick everyone off your Christmas list

From November, our estate shops are piled high with festive wares, winter warmers and thoughtful gift ideas.

From books and toys to homeware and beauty, you will find something for everyone in our Home Store. Our beautiful displays are full of inspiration, whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or looking for something special to decorate your own home.

Alongside household names like Jellycat, you’ll discover a wonderful selection of independent brands, including some from right here in Lincolnshire.

With an incredible selection of premium brands, you’re sure to find the perfect outfit for party season at Doddington Country Clothing. You’ll discover a fantastic range of menswear and womenswear, as well as footwear and accessories.

From investment pieces by brands like Barbour and Schöffel to smaller gifts and stocking fillers, you can tick off your shopping list – and treat yourself!

Get Christmas dinner all wrapped up

In the Doddington Farm Shop, you’ll find all of your Christmas dinner essentials, along with plenty of treats that maybe weren’t on your list…

With homegrown Kitchen Garden produce, Hambleton’s meat and a wide range of locally made cheese, coffee and condiments, we have everything you need to prepare a proper Lincolnshire feast at home.

Alongside our locally made products, we stock a selection of independent brands, so you will find some deliciously different items on offer, guaranteed to impress the pickiest of dinner guests.

As it wouldn’t be Christmas without a little sweet treat, we’ve also sourced some of the best confectionary, cakes and chocolate. Whether you gift these or keep them for yourself, is entirely up to you…

If food is your love language, our Farm Shop is full of great present ideas, many of which aren’t readily available elsewhere. If you can’t make a decision, we highly recommend building a hamper of goodies - you’ll find baskets in our Farm Shop, as well as branded Doddington tote bags!

Enjoy a festive stay

The run-up to Christmas can be a busy time, filled with plans, parties and commitments. Sometimes, it’s nice to step away from it all for a little while.

Our holiday cottages offer a countryside retreat over the festive season, whether you’re planning a get-together with friends, a romantic few days away or simply some time to yourself.

There’s plenty to discover at Doddington at Christmas, from festive events and seasonal menus to the independent shops around the estate. Spend a day exploring, enjoy an evening out, then retreat to the comfort of your own cosy cottage.

Guests staying with us can enjoy discounted tickets to Christmas in the Hall, as well as offers on à la carte dining at the Grain Store. If a quiet night in sounds more appealing, you can always pick up a few treats from the Farm Shop and settle in for a relaxing night.

When staying at Doddington, slow mornings are a must. Wake up to the Lincolnshire countryside, pop the kettle on and take your time over breakfast. Enjoy a morning walk before the estate wakes up or wander over to the Grain Store for a coffee and croissant – the perfect way to step into Christmas.