Christmas at Eltham Palace is not just one event this year. Here is what is happening at the Art Deco mansion and medieval Great Hall in Greenwich, and what needs a separate booking.
Christmas Fair — 5–6 December
Saturday and Sunday, 10am–4pm. Local makers in the Great Hall, festive refreshments, a community wreath trail and selected free garden tours. Included with ordinary admission; English Heritage members enter free. Advance booking advertises a 15% saving. Official fair and booking details.
Meet Father Christmas — weekends 5–20 December
Storytelling in a group, a chance to meet Father Christmas and a traditional gift. Sessions at 10.20am, 11am, 11.40am, 12.20pm, 1.40pm, 2.20pm and 3pm. Tickets are £15 per child or £12 for English Heritage members. Book ahead; non-members also need palace admission.
Wreath Making and Afternoon Tea — 24 and 26 November; 1 and 3 December
10am–2pm. Make a wreath with the palace gardeners using natural greenery, followed by festive afternoon tea. Tickets are £70 per adult or £60 for English Heritage members. The workshop does not include access to the house and gardens; confirm dietary requirements at checkout.
Festive Fun — weekends 5–20 December
10am–4pm. Family seasonal activities during a visit to the palace and gardens. English Heritage advertises 15% savings for advance admission and free entry for members.
Christmas with King Henry VIII — members’ event
Monday 14 December, noon–1pm. This is listed as an English Heritage members’ event; Tickets are £5 per member, with membership login required for booking.
Planning your visit
Where: Eltham Palace and Gardens, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, SE9 5NP. Mottingham station is approximately a 15-minute walk; nearby buses include 124, 126, 160 and 161. For ordinary admission, check English Heritage’s Good Journey public transport offer and its conditions; do not assume it applies to separately ticketed experiences.
Accessibility: English Heritage currently reports the palace lift out of service, with upper floors accessible by stairs only and a virtual multimedia tour alternative. Three disabled parking bays, accessible toilets and resting points are listed; the route includes gravel, cobbles and gradients. Ask about the specific workshop or Father Christmas route and any sensory needs before booking. Official access guide.
Booking and prices: Standard admission varies by visitor type and date; general admission prices vary by date and visitor type. Avoid treating general admission as covering separately booked experiences. English Heritage Christmas programme and individual booking links.
