Christmas Days Out with the National Trust in Cornwall 2025: Festive Events, Father Christmas Visits and Winter Walks

Published On: 12 November 2025Last Updated: 12 November 2025By CornishStuff

As the festive season approaches, Cornwall’s National Trust properties transform into magical places to visit — from twinkling lights and roaring fires to wreath-making, carols and Cornish Christmas traditions. Whether you’re after a family day out, a peaceful winter stroll, or a visit to Father Christmas himself, there’s plenty happening across Cornwall’s National Trust estates this December.

Here’s your full guide to Christmas 2025 with the National Trust in Cornwall, including everything from Cotehele’s famous 60-foot garland to choirs at Trelissick and winter walks at Godolphin.

Christmas at Cotehele

📷The 2024 Christmas Garland at Cotehele, Cornwall | © National Trust / Steven Haywood

The Famous Christmas Garland

A highlight of Cornwall’s festive calendar, Cotehele’s 60-foot garland has been a cherished tradition since 1956. Made from thousands of dried flowers grown on the estate, the garland decorates the Great Hall throughout Christmas.

Preparations begin early each year, with seeds sown in January and flowers harvested and dried from late April onwards. Volunteers and gardeners spend two weeks in November assembling the garland — a process that visitors can watch in action.

Dates for your diary 2025:

Building the pittosporum base: Monday 10th November, 10.30am–4pm (outside)
Assembly inside the hall: Tuesday 11th – Thursday 20th November, 10.30am–4pm
Garland on full display: Saturday 22nd November 2025 – Monday 5th January 2026, 10.30am–4pm
(Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

Once it’s complete, the garland makes a stunning backdrop to festive days out at Cotehele. Enjoy mulled drinks, lights along the path to the mill, festive crafts, and carols by the tree.

Group bookings (15 or more): email cotehele@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01579 351346.

Christmas at Trelissick

📷Visitors admire the Christmas decorations in Trelissick house | © National Trust Images / James Beck

A Cornish Christmas

Celebrate Nadelik Lowen (Merry Christmas) at Trelissick, where Cornish traditions blend with twinkling lights, choirs, and family activities. The house will be beautifully decorated and open daily from 6th December 2025 to 4th January 2026 (closing at 2pm on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Expect festive music, local choirs, a shop full of gifts, and seasonal treats at the Barn Café and House Tearoom.

An Audience with Father Christmas

Father Christmas will visit the stable yard throughout December to share stories of a Cornish Christmas and hand out small gifts to children.

Dates & times:

6th, 7th, 13th, 14th December, then daily 18th–23rd December
Sessions at 10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.45pm
Extra session at 3.30pm on 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd December

🎟️ Tickets: £6 per child, £4 per adult
👉 Book tickets here

Normal admission applies (£42.50 for a family, or free for National Trust members).
Only assistance dogs are permitted.

Relaxed Father Christmas Sessions

For a calmer experience, Trelissick also offers Relaxed Audiences with Father Christmas at 3.30pm on 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December.

These sessions are designed with reduced noise and fewer people, creating a more accessible and relaxed visit. Ear defenders and sensory toys are available.

🎟️ Book relaxed sessions here

Festive Performances

📷Choir singing at Christmas | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

Local choirs and groups will perform throughout December in the stable yard, under a tipi decked with lights.

Performers confirmed so far:

6th Dec – InTune Choir
7th Dec – The Revellers
8th Dec – Truro Band
10th Dec – Consort Sorelle
13th Dec – Riverside Singers
17th Dec – Falmouth Community Gospel Choir (1pm)
20th Dec – St Mary’s Singers
21st Dec – The Sunday Sirens
22nd Dec – Kesson Tus
23rd Dec – Falmouth Shout presents The Mousehole Cat (1pm)

If your group would like to perform, contact trelissick@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Accessibility at Trelissick

On Sunday 14th December, the RevoLOOtion mobile accessible toilet will be on-site from 10am–4.30pm, featuring a hoist, adult-sized changing bench, and wash basin.
Find out more at www.revolootion.org.uk.

Trelissick Christmas Craft Fair

From Saturday 6th to Tuesday 9th December, browse the Christmas Craft Fair featuring handmade gifts created by National Trust staff and volunteers — perfect for locally made presents.

Christmas at Trerice

📷Father Christmas in the Drawing Room at Trerice | © National Trust / Emily Hide

Step back in time at Trerice this Christmas with classic decorations, festive stories, and music in a beautiful Elizabethan setting.

Father Christmas at Trerice

Father Christmas will tell tales of Christmases past in the Drawing Room, where each child receives a small gift to take home.

Dates:
13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December

🎟️ Tickets: £5 per child, £4 per adult
👉 Book Father Christmas tickets

Normal admission applies. Booking is essential.

Decorations and Tours

From 29th November, Trerice will be beautifully decorated for Christmas. Enter through a willow archway, warm up by the fire, and explore the festive ground floor.

House tours will also be available on 6th–7th, 13th–14th, and 15th–19th December, though spaces are limited.

🎟️ Book a house tour

Choirs and Refreshments

Enjoy performances from the Trerice Volunteer Choir and other local groups throughout December in the barn.

Warm up in the Trerice Barn Café, serving hot drinks, festive treats and light lunches, or browse the shop for gifts, decorations and winter accessories.

Christmas at Godolphin

📷Godolphin House Decorated for Christmas | © National Trust Images

Experience a traditional Cornish Christmas at Godolphin, surrounded by history, music and the scent of mulled wine.

The House will open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the lead-up to Christmas, decorated with estate-grown greenery and full of festive cheer.

Open: 10.30am–4pm (last entry 3pm)
Dates:

5th–7th December
12th–14th December
19th–21st December

Enjoy choirs performing Christmas classics, make your own decorations, and relax with mince pies and mulled wine (cash only inside the house).

Workshops at Godolphin

Candle & Lip Balm Making with the Beekeeper
Make your own beeswax candles with wax from Godolphin’s own hives.

10th & 17th December – sessions at 10am–12.30pm and 1pm–3.30pm
🎟️ Book candle workshops

Ceramic Candle Holder Workshop with the Leach Pottery
Create up to four unique candle holders using hand-building pottery techniques. Includes refreshments.

11th & 18th December – 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm
🎟️ Book pottery workshops

Guided House Tours

For a quieter visit, join a guided tour to explore Godolphin House dressed for Christmas. Details will be confirmed closer to the date — no pre-booking required.

Christmas Crafts and Trails

Families can take part in Christmas craft activities in the cider house and add their handmade decorations to the Christmas tree.

On Sunday 21st December, join the Tinsel10 trail run around the estate — fancy dress encouraged! Hot drinks and festive treats will be available at the Piggery Café afterwards.

Wrap up warm for a winter walk across Godolphin’s 500-acre estate — from woodland trails to hilltop views where you can see both coasts on a clear day.

Christmas at Pentire

Pentire is full of festive spirit this winter, with music, crafts, wreath-making, and coastal walks surrounded by sea air.

Wreath Making Workshops

Create your own festive wreath using natural materials including willow, foliage and dried fruit.

Dates:

Friday 5th December, 10.30am–1.30pm
Friday 12th December, 10.30am–1.30pm

🎟️ Tickets: £25 (includes hot drink and mince pie)
👉 Book wreath workshops

Family Christmas Crafting

Decorate your own ceramic bauble to take home or gift to someone special.

Dates:

6th, 13th & 20th December, 10.30–11.30am
🎟️ £3 per decoration
👉 Book crafting sessions

Reindeer Trail & Festive Music

Follow the free Reindeer Trail in the orchard from 28th November–4th January — the resident wooden reindeer herd returns with some new additions for 2025.

Enjoy festive music performances throughout December, including:

6th Dec (1pm) – The Rowan Tree
13th Dec (12.30pm) – Washaway Gallery Choir
14th Dec (12.30pm) – Arundel Consort

Finish the season with a Wassail on Sunday 4th January from 12 noon, with live music and apple-themed fun to bless the orchard for the year ahead.

Pentyr Café

After your walk, head to the Pentyr Café for a hot drink or treat by the wood-burning stove.

Open weekends (Fri–Sun) until 21st December, 10.30am–3pm, then daily from 27th December–4th January.
Every purchase supports conservation at Pentire.

Christmas at Penrose

Celebrate the season at Penrose, where a giant festive wreath selfie spot and Christmas spotter trails await. Families can also post their own nature pledges at the seasonal postbox.

More details for Penrose’s Christmas 2025 events will be confirmed later in the year.

Plan Your National Trust Christmas in Cornwall

Whether it’s Cotehele’s legendary garland, Trelissick’s Father Christmas, or a candle-making workshop at Godolphin, Cornwall’s National Trust estates are brimming with festive cheer this December.

For full details, booking links and updates, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall.

More Cornwall Christmas Guides from CornishStuff

This article is part of CornishStuff’s Christmas 2025 coverage – your go-to guide for what’s on across Cornwall this festive season.
Keep an eye on CornishStuff.com for more events, light switch-ons, festive markets and things to do around Cornwall this Christmas.