Short answer: The National Trust's Christmas in Cornwall: the Cotehele garland (21 November to 5 January), Father Christmas at Trelissick (5, 6, 12, 13 and 19–23 December, £6 per child) and at Trerice (19–23 December, £5.50 per child), and Lanhydrock's Winter Welcome (10 December to 28 February). Members get free entry and parking; grotto prices are extra.
If you're a National Trust member in Cornwall, December is when membership pays for itself. Here's what each property is doing for Christmas 2026.
A huge garland of dried flowers in the Great Hall, in its 70th year. On display 21 November to 5 January, 10:30am to 4pm (closed 25 and 26 December); watch it being built from 9 to 19 November. Non-members: £11 adult, £5.50 child, £27.50 family. Full guide: Christmas at Cotehele 2026.
Trelissick is on the Fal near Truro; the King Harry Ferry runs from the bottom of the estate.
Trerice is a small Elizabethan manor near Newquay, so it's a calm grotto in the run-up to Christmas.
10 December to 28 February, listed as free. Pair it with the Santa train from Bodmin: see Bodmin's Santa trains and Lanhydrock, and dogs at Lanhydrock.
Trelissick or Trerice for Father Christmas; Cotehele for older children and adults who'll appreciate the garland and the walk to the quay.
Every grotto in the county: Santa's grottos in Cornwall. Everything else: what's on in December 2026.
Dates, prices and times are the organisers' to change — check the official page before you travel or book. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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