5K Santa Run
6 Dec
A festive 5K Santa-themed run or walk around the gardens, with participants encouraged to dress up as Santa.
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a historic county in the East Midlands of England, featuring walkable town centers, rich heritage sites, accessible rail connections, and vibrant cultural and sporting attractions.
Near Stowe House
Stowe House is a lavish historic English country house known for its pioneering 21st-century restoration project, set within the renowned Stowe landscape with enchanting gardens. Visitors can explore the interior of the house and enjoy accessible facilities and food options onsite.
Christmas in the Manor: Merriment and mischief, the Lord of Misrule takes over
28–29 Nov, 3–6 Dec…
Explore Christmas displays in the manor, where Tudor festive traditions and decorations are mixed with glimpses of Christmases from other periods.
Near Lyveden
Lyveden is a historic Elizabethan manor in Northamptonshire with an unfinished garden lodge, rare garden landscapes, and tranquil moats. Visitors can explore both the indoor manor exhibition and extensive outdoor gardens, enjoy seasonal events and workshops, and relax in the café.
Poisons, Potions and Plants Trail
17 Oct–1 Nov, 5–8 Nov
Visitors can follow an outdoor trail at Canons Ashby and discover spooky stories about plants such as deadly nightshade and witch hazel. The trail is aimed at families and includes a small gift at the end.
Near Canons Ashby
Canons Ashby House is a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house located in Northamptonshire, featuring notable Jacobean plasterwork, historic family interiors, formal gardens, and the remains of a medieval priory church. It combines rich history with architectural and artistic heritage.
Guided watercolour workshop with Something Less Boring
25 Sep
A guided watercolour workshop led by Liddy, a qualified illustrator and teacher, focusing on painting Lyveden's iconic garden lodge. The workshop is suitable for beginners and all materials are provided. It takes place in the café on the ground floor of the manor.
Near Lyveden New Bield
Lyveden New Bield is an unfinished Elizabethan summer house in Northamptonshire, owned by the National Trust, featuring historic religious symbolism and set within extensive restored Elizabethan gardens including a labyrinth and orchard.
Diwali at Stowe
6–10 Nov
Celebrate Diwali at Stowe, see a volunteer-made Rangoli display in the Temple of Venus, and visit a selfie station. Diya painting is available on Saturday 7 November only.
Near Stowe Gardens
Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire are a prestigious English landscape garden featuring extensive parkland, architectural monuments, classical temples, and historical structures designed by prominent 18th-century architects and gardeners. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens offer a significant outdoor visitor experience with preserved landscapes and classical architecture, a visitor centre, and a rich heritage of garden design.
Carols in the Courtyard with Eboracum Baroque
28 Nov
Eboracum Baroque singers perform a festive concert in the courtyard, with music ranging from medieval works to more recent arrangements. Attendees can join in with familiar Christmas carols and tunes.
Santa Paws at Lyveden
5–6 Dec
Dogs and their families can meet Santa in a dedicated timeslot at Lyveden, pose for a Christmas photo and receive a present for each dog.
Men in Sheds
25 Oct
Men in Sheds is a pop-up stall at New Inn selling handmade, locally crafted gifts. Visitors can browse and meet the stall’s makers.
2 miles from Buckingham Chantry Chapel
Buckingham Chantry Chapel is a historic 15th-century chapel in Buckingham, noted for its Norman doorway and status as the oldest building in town. Owned by the National Trust, it is currently open to the public as a second-hand bookshop, offering visitors insight into medieval ecclesiastical architecture and local heritage.
Christmas Storytime
15 Dec
Children aged 0–5 and their grown-ups can listen to several festive stories in a seated circle in the Second-Hand Bookshop.
Come and say boo at Lyveden
31 Oct
A family Halloween adventure at Lyveden, featuring an autumn-inspired trail with a Gunpowder Plot mystery, seasonal activities and a Halloween Treat Jar for children.
Stowe and Sir John Vanbrugh: Architecture, Politics and Power
19 Oct–1 Nov
An exhibition about Sir John Vanbrugh’s life, architecture and connection to Stowe House, featuring historic illustrations, commissioned photographs and original plans. Visitors can also discover surviving Vanbrugh-designed features in the Stowe gardens.
Snifftember
31 Aug–4 Oct
Snifftember at Lyveden is an outdoor event celebrating the start of autumn walkies season with a dog-friendly Snap and Stamp photography trail and a Settle and Spring agility course for dogs and their owners. The event includes a Pooch Passport stamping activity and runs over several dates from 31 August to 4 October 2026.
Guided Tours at Stowe Gardens
31 Mar–2 Apr, 7–9 Apr…
Join a volunteer-led guided tour at Stowe Gardens to learn about the gardens’ history. Tours last approximately one hour to 90 minutes and begin at Bell Gate.
5K Zombie Run
1 Nov
A 5K Halloween-themed run or walk around the gardens, with participants encouraged to dress in spooky costumes. The ticket also includes all-day access to the gardens.
Festive Fun at Wrest Park
5–6 Dec
A festive family day out at Wrest Park, with seasonal activities to explore. Visitors can also book an additional ticket to meet Father Christmas.
Near Wrest Park
Wrest Park is a Grade I listed country estate in Bedfordshire featuring a historic English country house with early Rococo Revival interiors and extensive formal gardens with notable landscaping by Capability Brown. Visitors can explore both indoor historic interiors and outdoor formal gardens, with the estate also serving as a filming location for various productions.
Zombies of Lamport Trail
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a zombie-themed trail through Stowe Gardens, solving puzzles to help a scientist find an antidote and clear the zombies from Lamport. The trail is designed for children aged 6 and over.
The Knight Before Christmas Evening Tour
11 Dec
An after-hours evening tour of Canons Ashby, exploring the house’s Christmas decorations inspired by Arthurian legend, with knights, wizards and dragons. The ticket includes a mulled cider or hot chocolate and a mince pie.
Sir John Vanbrugh and the Making of Stowe
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Michael Bevington gives a lecture on Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe, including archaeological evidence for his buildings and his contribution to the landscape vision developed with Lord Cobham and Charles Bridgeman. The 60-minute talk is followed by audience questions.
A Christmas Quest
28 Nov–24 Dec
Visitors can explore Christmas decorations inspired by Arthurian legends and John Dryden’s family connection to Canons Ashby. Children can follow a Christmas Quest trail, finding ingredients to help Merlin complete a spell.
Halloween half-term at Wrest Park
24 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term event at Wrest Park with family activities and entertainment, including interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a fancy-dress competition.
2 miles from De Grey Mausoleum
The De Grey Mausoleum in Flitton, Bedfordshire, is a significant historic mausoleum housing many monuments to the De Grey family, featuring architecture from the early 17th to 18th century. It is open to the public under English Heritage and is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.
Monthly Dog Walks
21 Oct, 18 Nov…
A monthly guided walk through the gardens at Stowe, led by a walk leader and welcoming people and their dogs. Dogs must be kept on leads, and participants may leave the walk early if needed.
Trust 10K Run
25 Oct, 22 Nov…
A monthly 10K trail run through the grounds of Stowe Gardens, open to runners seeking either a training run or a sociable jog. Participants run the course together, with registration at 8:30am and a 9am start.
Festive bauble workshop
28 Nov
Create and paint a ceramic bauble inspired by seasonal foliage, winter berries and Christmas flowers, with guidance from botanical artist and illustrator Imogen. The workshop includes materials and admission, and no previous experience is expected.
Pop-up Winter Market at Wrest Park
14–15 Nov
A pop-up winter market in the State Rooms at Wrest Park, featuring more than 20 local community traders selling seasonal goods, gifts and festive treats.
Decoding the Treshams: Lives Through Letters
7 Oct–22 Nov (another 44 days)
An exhibition at Lyveden explores the Tresham family through letters discovered concealed within the walls of Rushton Hall, revealing details of their relationships, lives and historical context.
Stars at Stowe Stargazing
31 Oct
Stars at Stowe Stargazing combines a talk about the solar system with an outdoor stargazing session at the South Front. Attendees can use shared telescopes to observe planets and constellations with guidance from UK Astronomy experts.
Gunpowder Plot Tours
7 Nov
A guided tour with Lyveden volunteers exploring the site's connection to the Gunpowder Plot, including Francis Tresham’s life and role in the scheme.
Spooky Storytime
27 Oct
Children aged 0–5 and their grown-ups can sit in a circle in the Second-Hand Bookshop to listen to several spooky stories.
Exclusive Behind the Scenes House Tour with Cream Tea
16 Oct (next Friday)
A guided after-hours tour of Canons Ashby mansion led by the House and Collections Officer and an experienced House Guide. Attendees will see spaces and objects not usually open to visitors and hear about conservation work, followed by a cream tea.
DIY candle workshop
4 Nov
A candle-making workshop where participants learn to melt, mix and pour soy wax to make and box a vegan candle and a large wax melt. Festive fragrances and the designer’s own scents are available to choose from.
Tiny Tots Halloween Trail
9 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween activity trail around New Inn for children aged six and under, with playful actions such as walking like a mummy, flapping like a bat and meowing like a cat.
Stars at Stowe Stargazing
31 Oct
A family-friendly stargazing evening with a talk about the solar system, followed by outdoor telescope viewing of planets and constellations with guidance from astronomy experts.
Clay Café at Lyveden
16 Oct, 13 Nov…
A relaxed, guided clay session led by practitioner Ruth, exploring creativity and wellbeing through working with clay. Each session has a theme, though attendees are also welcome to make their own designs.
Halloween Slime Lab
27 Oct
Children can make their own Halloween slime in a hands-on workshop, choosing between cauldron slime and pumpkin slime to take home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Festive Handbell Ringing in the Church
5 Dec
Listen to the Launton Handbell Ringers perform festive music in the Priory Church, with the performance taking place between 11:30am and 12:30pm.
Lino Print Winter Workshop
22 Nov
Participants will create a multi-layered winter-inspired lino print in a one-day workshop led by printmaker Alexandra Buckle. Attendees should bring images to work from; printing materials are provided.
Tour with 'Sir Thomas'
31 Aug, 4–6 Sep…
An interactive walking tour at Lyveden where attendees follow in the footsteps of Sir Thomas Tresham. Led by a volunteer guide in character as Sir Thomas, the tour visits the Manor House, Elizabethan gardens, and the New Bield Lodge, focusing on history and symbolism. The tour lasts 45 minutes, covers about 1 mile, and is suitable for all ages.
Heritage Open Day - Lyveden Harvest Market
19–20 Sep
Heritage Open Day - Lyveden Harvest Market is a harvest-themed weekend event celebrating local food, drink and craft producers with apple pressing demonstrations in the orchard, heritage apples for sale, and fun activities for all ages. The event offers free entry and does not require booking.
Plotober half term family trail
24 Oct–1 Nov, 5–8 Nov
A family trail exploring the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, with themed games including an obstacle course and a beanbag-throw challenge.
Decorate a Christmas Crown
12 Dec
Families can decorate a gold crown with festive stickers and gems, then see Christmas decorations inspired by the legends of King Arthur in the church.
Grow with Stowe: Daffodil Bulb Planting
24 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can plant daffodil bulbs at Stowe Gardens alongside other participants, helping to create a spring display.
Walking with The Snowman™ at Wrest Park
7 Nov–9 Dec
Families can follow a winter sculpture trail through the grounds at Wrest Park, discovering twelve Snowmen inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas. Each sculpture hides a letter, and collecting all twelve reveals a Christmas word.
Christmas Wreath Making at Canons Ashby
24–25 Nov
Participants make a Christmas wreath using greenery from the grounds of Canons Ashby, with materials and a hot drink included. The workshop takes place in the tea-room.
Santa Paws Community Dog Walk (in collaboration with Tails on the Trails and Inspiring Tails)
5 Dec
A festive community dog walk through the grounds at Stowe Gardens, with advice from Tails on the Trails and Inspiring Tails on topics including lead walking, enrichment and building confidence with dogs.
Foraging Workshop
17 Oct (next Saturday)
A practical foraging workshop with local expert Lizzy, where participants learn to identify seasonal wild foods and forage sustainably. The session includes a break for lunch and discussion of preserving foraged ingredients.
Christmas at Stowe
21 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Explore Christmas traditions from around the world at New Inn, then follow a festive trail through Stowe Gardens to discover seasonal facts, collect stamps and take photos.
Merlin's Magic Christmas Trail
18 Nov–24 Dec
Families can follow a Christmas trail around the paddock, searching for ingredients for Merlin’s spell and collecting a small gift when they finish.
August Bank Holiday Activities
31 Aug
August Bank Holiday Activities at Lyveden features outdoor lawn games suitable for all ages including giant board games and a welly wanging activity for a small fee which celebrates countryside tradition.
Decorate a spooky candle holder
29–30 Oct
Families can decorate a ceramic bat or hedgehog tea-light holder with the Canons Ashby team. The activity takes place outdoors under a gazebo.
Autumn Book Fair
23 Oct–1 Nov
The Autumn Book Fair at Stowe features donated fiction, non-fiction, vintage and collectable books, including signed editions and older volumes. Visitors can browse and buy books, with proceeds supporting the care of the Stowe landscape.
Wreath Making Workshop at Wrest Park
2–3 Dec
Participants make a Christmas wreath using seasonal foliage and natural materials, with guidance from Wrest Park’s Head Gardener. The day also includes a festive afternoon tea in the Mansion Dining Room.
Father Christmas at Wrest Park
5–6 Dec
Children can join a group session of seasonal stories told by Father Christmas, then meet him, take photographs and receive a traditional present. One accompanying adult is permitted per child.