Christmas at the National Trust in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire's National Trust properties have opened their Christmas programmes for 2026, so there's plenty to book across the county before the season properly kicks in. The biggest draw is Belton Estate, which is leaning into the after-dark crowd this year with a brand-new light trail, stunning installations and a festive fairground. The illuminated trail, put together by award-winning producers, runs through the estate's 1,300 acres of parkland — home to a herd of historic fallow deer — with twinkling lights, immersive seasonal sounds, mulled wine, hot chocolate and a glimpse of Father Christmas. The house itself is dressed in family traditions from Saturday 28 November to Monday 4 January, open daily from 11:00 to 15:30 with last entry at 15:00 and closed on Christmas Day. For the first time in over a decade, the service areas, including the scullery and butler's pantry, open from Saturday 21 November, with special visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The gardens open from Friday 20 November, and there's a candlelit solo performance of Christmas Carol by Behind the Door Productions in the Marble Hall on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December, starting at 17:00 and running about an hour and forty minutes with a twenty-minute interval. Dogs are welcome on short leads every night except Wednesday 16 December, which is dog-free.

Over in Grantham, Grantham House at Castlegate fills its grounds with a Christmas market on Sunday 29 November, 10:00 to 16:00, with local traders, handmade gifts, mince pies and hot drinks. The main hall hosts a solo Christmas Carol performance by Don't Go Into The Cellar! Theatre Company on Wednesday 18 November, and Beckis Cooper's one-woman play From Chawton on Friday 4 December. From Saturday 19 December, a big top goes up in the gardens for the Christmas Circus by Circus Starlight, with acrobatics, juggling and comedy. There's also storytime, art exhibitions, pottery courses and workshops like wreath-making and mandala art. For enquiries, call 01476 285588 or email grantham@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Gunby Hall and Gardens near Spilsby takes a more nostalgic route, with the house decorated to the theme 'Board Games and Baubles' from Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 23 December, open 10:00 to 15:00 with last entry at 14:30. You'll find twinkling lights and details inspired by old family board games, a winter walk through the park and a tea-room, plus a second-hand bookshop selling mystery books wrapped with Christmas baubles. There's also a free Stranger Folk app for a guided Crone adventure around the gardens. For Gunby, the number is 01754 890102.

If you don't mind heading over the border into Nottinghamshire, Clumber Park runs from Saturday 21 November to Sunday 3 January, with a free Trail of Peter Rabbit featuring twelve large sculptures by UK artists, a Winter Wonderland from Saturday 28 November with Father Christmas, storytelling and a grotto, and traditional Christmas lunches at The Turning Yard café on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 17 December, £25 for two courses and £30 for three, booking essential. Round out the month with Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 20 December at 14:00, family lantern walks, the annual Tinsel Trek, a Christmas Eve 10k run and festive dog walks on Wednesday 16 and Friday 18 December, with Santa Paws visits at the Central Bark café on Saturday 19, Sunday 20 and Monday 21 December at £2 a dog.