This Christmas at Hever Castle, visit Father Christmas and experience the Adventures of Pinocchio.

Father Christmas Tickets (for B&B & Medley Court Guests Only)

Nothing says ‘Christmas’ quite like a visit to Father Christmas at Hever Castle. Travel through the land of Christmas, meet cheerful elves and wander along the paths until you get to Father Christmas’ toy workshop to meet the big man himself! This experience is in a marquee, a covered but open staged setting. As a B&B or Medley Court Guest we have allocated an exclusive time for you to visit the Grotto and meet Father Christmas. These visits are available at 4.15pm on the afternoon of your arrival. Tickets for the castle and gardens are included in your stay so it is only necessary to purchase Father Christmas tickets per child. These must be pre-booked at a cost of £12 per child and are only available at this time slot. 

As a B&B or Medley Court Guest you will receive an exclusive guest viewing of the Castle on the day of your departure between 11:30-12.00 before the Castle opens to the General Public. If you would like to view the Castle at another time during your stay a timed slot will need to be reserved with the Reception team upon check in. Times are allocated on a first come first served basis.

As a B&B or Medley Court Guest you are of course invited to explore the Gardens during day visitor hours from 11:30 – 20:30 each day, however you will also have access to the majority of the Gardens before this time.  

Pre-booking is essential. Before booking, please read the Important Information below.

PINOCCHIO CHRISTMAS TRAIL

Begin your experience on the Pinocchio Christmas Trail in ‘Geppetto’s Workshop’ surrounded by his wonderful woodcarving creations. See Pinocchio in Stromboli’s puppet show before Pinocchio is captured in a cage by the Fox and Cat.

Journey through the land of toys and discover it is not quite what it seems. ‘Head under the sea’ to rescue Pinocchio’s father and see the whale and shipwreck. As the trail finishes, the Blue Fairy grants Pinocchio’s wish of becoming a ‘real boy’.

Spot Jiminy Cricket throughout the trail and the grounds.

It takes around 30 minutes to follow the Pinocchio Christmas Trail.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAIL (available from 4pm)

The magical Christmas Light Trail experience starts at 16:00 when you can wrap up warm and enjoy a walk under the stars. Witness the enchantment of the Castle, gardens and lake festooned with fabulous colours and twinkling lights, capturing the spirit of Christmas.

Bring torches and pop on your wellies to see the spectacular, after-dark, illuminated trail and Hever Castle’s much-loved landmarks lit up with glorious colour washes.

This year the light trail will include new areas of the grounds not previously lit before.

It takes around 1.5 hours to follow the Christmas Light Trail.

CHARACTERS (available weekends and daily 8 - 24 December)

As well as exploring the captivating displays on the trail, meet characters from the Adventures of Pinocchio as you wander through the gardens on weekends and daily 8 - 24 December.

FAIRGROUND

In front of the Castle, ride the gallopers then head to the big wheel (new for 2021) and have a go at hook a duck. Tokens for rides and stalls are available for purchase during your visit at £2 each, £9 for 5 or £18 for 10.

Big Wheel Restrictions:

• Anyone under 36in/92 cm can’t ride the big wheel

• You must be 48in/121cm tall to ride on the big wheel without an adult

• No single riders, 3 people per chair is the maximum

These restrictions are for your safety and there are no exceptions.

HUSKIES (available weekends only until 24 December)

On weekends only until 24 December, meet the huskies and take your photo as a memento (suggested £2 donation towards Siberian Husky Welfare Association).

EATING & SHOPPING

Appreciate relaxed Christmas shopping in the Gift Shops, and sample delicious festive food in the restaurants and kiosks.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The Play Areas and Yew Maze and Lake Walk will all be open (daytime only). The Miniature Model Houses, Garden Exhibition and Military Museum will also be available (daytime only).

Pre-booking is essential. Before booking, please read the Important Information below.

Make a Wish Foundation

Hever Castle is delighted to be working with the Make a Wish Foundation. Visitors will be able to donate to the charity before and during the Christmas event.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Tickets

• All tickets must be pre-booked.
• All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable unless the experience is cancelled or covered by refund protection purchased (see FAQs).
• Tickets will remain in your basket for 20 mins for you to complete your purchase. After this time they will automatically go back on sale.
• Please note your booking reference when it appears on the screen. If you do not receive an email confirmation please read our Christmas FAQs for further instructions.

Cancellations, Exchanges, Transfers and Refunds

Tickets cannot be resold, exchanged, transferred to another date or refunded once tickets have been purchased unless the event is cancelled or covered by refund protection purchased.

Any refunds due to event cancellation will be less any booking fees, donations or refund protection charges incurred.

Please be sure that you choose the correct date and time slot time when making your booking. Tickets are non-transferable. This is highlighted throughout the booking process.

Refund Protection

It is recommended that Refund Protection is considered when purchasing tickets for Christmas at Hever Castle. This option is available at the time of booking, you cannot add it to your order after you have paid. Please read the terms and conditions of this policy carefully before booking.

If you have purchased Refund Protection during the booking process then you may cancel your booking subject to the terms and conditions that are on your policy confirmation.

Adverse Weather Plan and Cancellation Policy

Cancellations will not be offered in the event of poor weather. If Hever Castle determines that the weather on site presents a hazard and a risk to safety and a decision is made to cancel the event, you will be notified by email of a cancellation and you will be informed of the re-booking process if this is feasible. If an alternative date cannot be offered or attended then a refund will be considered on a case by case basis. Any refunds will be less any booking fees, donations or refund protection charges incurred.

Covid–19 Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend due contracting Covid or having to self isolate as a result of Covid, you can request to transfer your booking to an alternative date or cancel your booking and apply for a refund. To do this please email stay@hevercastle.co.uk and include your booking reference in the email title together with proof of your diagnosis or requirement to isolate.

Should the event be cancelled due to government guidance, you will be notified and offered an alternative experience, date or full refund. If the decision is made to cancel the event, you will be notified by email of a cancellation and you will be informed of the re-booking process if this is feasible. If an alternative date cannot be offered or attended then a refund will be considered on a case by case basis. Any refunds will be less any booking fees, donations or refund protection charges incurred.

Father Christmas Experience

• Only 2 adults per group (Maximum 5 persons per group).
  
• We will ask the name of each child to make the experience as special as possible.
• We will ask the age of each child so that they can receive an appropriate gift.
• Your Grotto booking time is the time you are required to arrive at the Grotto, not your booked time with Father Christmas, which is allocated when you arrive at the Grotto. Please do not arrive at the Grotto before your booking time as you may be turned away to allow for social distancing.

General Christmas Experience

• To enjoy the full experience of Christmas at Hever Castle we recommend you allow enough time for each all the elements of the experience that you wish to include. Attractions, shops and eateries will start closing before the final exit time.
  • Castle 45 minutes
  • Pinocchio Christmas Trail 30 minutes
  • Gallopers & Big Wheel 30 - 45 minutes each (queues possible)
  • Hook a Duck 30 - 45 minutes (queues possible)
  • Eating 30 - 45 minutes (queues possible)
  • Shopping 30 - 1 hour (queues possible)
  • Christmas Light Trail – 1.5. hours to walk the whole grounds that will be lit (from 4pm)
  • Grotto – 30 minutes from arrival at the Grotto (pre-booking essential)
• As much of this experience is outdoors we recommend you wrap up warm and pop on your wellies or suitable shoes.

Safety Measures

As per current measures – see here.

Face coverings must be worn in indoor spaces including the Grotto (exemptions apply).

Access Statement

Christmas access statement