Top National Lottery funded locations to enjoy this festive season

England

1. Speke Hall - Speke, Liverpool.

Discover the magic of Christmas this festive season with a visit to Speke Hall. There's Wreath-Making workshops, an evening of festive music and even the chance to have breakfast with Father Christmas with events running from 4th until 22nd December - spend a magical day out with the whole family.

2. Beamish Museum - Stanley, Durham.

Looking for a more traditional feel this Christmas? Beamish Museum is offering Christmas films at their 1950s Grand Cinema on 8th and 15th December, as well as Father Christmas visits at the Daytime Grotto until 24th December from £8. Take a step back in time and don’t miss out on this incredible adventure.

3. Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park - Buxton, Derbyshire.

Uncover a magical underground winter wonderland at Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park with their Christmas Light Walk through the caves throughout all of December for £10 (closed Tuesdays), an unconventional setting and an unforgettable experience.

4. The Mary Rose - Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Set sail and experience the history of Christmas at The Mary Rose, with Tudor bough workshops from 7th to 10th December, Henry VIII’s Christmas Court from 7th to 8th and 14th to 15th December, and a Tudor Christmas talk and tour on 21st December.

5. Hampton Court Palace - Richmond, London.

Feel like royalty this season at the stunning Hampton Court Palace with their festive fayre for only for two exclusive weekends this month from 6th to 8th and 14th to 15th December from £27.20 for adult entry. Dine on special foods and have a weekend to remember.

6. Eden Project - Bodelva, Cornwall.

Step into a winter wonderland like no other at the Eden Project, packed with fun, from the immersive Christmas lights experience from 5th to 8th and 12th to 23rd December, ice skating until 23rd February, and the chance to meet Father Christmas from 5th to 8th and 12th to 24th December in a new 40-minute theatrical experience.

7. Painshill - Cobham, Surrey.

Explore the 12 Days of Christmas Trail at Painshill this winter, this exciting trail will lead you all across Painshill on until 5th January from £12.10. Will you find all the Christmas gifts and complete the carol? With fun for all the family or just as a solo trail.

Scotland

8. Edinburgh Castle - Castlehill, Edinburgh

Be dazzled this Christmas by the incredible Castle of Light display at Edinburgh Castle from Friday to Sunday throughout December until 23rd December with adult tickets from £22. Back for its fifth year, discover the castle like never before with this spectacular illuminated after-dark trail, with interactive installations, music and much more.

9. Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh - Inverleith, Edinburgh.

Uncover the beauty of nature this festive season with an unforgettable night at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, walk through the magical light trail with new lights introduced for 2024 until 30th December with adult tickets starting from £22.50, there’s even a chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas.

10. Glasgow Science Centre - City centre, Glasgow.

Go beyond the ordinary this season and discover a variety of Christmas events at Glasgow Science Centre. With a variety of winter events for kids and adults to get you into the festive season this Christmas, including Santa’s Starry Adventure at the Planetarium from 23rd to the 24th December and much more.

11. Glasgow Film Theatre - City centre, Glasgow.

Enjoy a Christmas classic film at the Glasgow Film Theatre with a variety of favourites from It's A Wonderful Life, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Gremlins and much more to entertain yourself with family or friends until 24th December.

12. Drum Castle, Garden & Estate - Drumoak, Banchory.

Feel the medieval magic at Drum Castle, Garden & Estate this festive season with the stunning grounds and the opportunity to visit Father Christmas before he heads out for his busiest night of the year on 20th and 23rd December.

13. Helix Park - Falkirk.

Ride into a magical festive experience at Helix Park home of The Kelpies, with exciting Christmas festive workshops including Christmas wreath making on 14th December, rainbow Christmas trees on 15th December and much more creative fun.

Northern Ireland

14. Castle Coole - Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

Be enchanted at Castle Coole with their Christmas celebrations with storytelling by the fireside each weekend until 15th December, festive crafts and baking, a gift making workshop all throughout December. You won’t want to miss this cosy Christmas at Castle Coole.

15. Enniskillen Castle - Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

Meet the man himself at Enniskillen Castle with their Santa Saturday event for the opportunity to see Father Christmas in person on 7th December from £5.80. With festive fun the kids will love, take part in the festive trail, solve the mystery clues to claim a prize and immerse yourself in fun festivities.

16. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens - Hillsborough, County Down.

Have a magical Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, explore the gardens with decorations inspired by the 12 days of Christmas until 5th January, discover a special garden play trail, a walled garden and a secret grotto, and even the chance to meet Father Christmas himself.

17. Armagh Planetarium - Armagh, County Armagh.

Celebrate this festive season under the stars at the Armagh Planetarium with the return of their Mission Santa experience until 23th December from £20, get the family ready to blast off on a Christmas adventure like no other, or discover the Mystery of a Christmas Star showcase to journey back 2000 years ago and see the astronomical events that were happening in the night sky.

18. HMS Caroline - Belfast, County Antrim.

All aboard for festivities like no other at the HMS Caroline, with their Christmas Concert under Concorde for music lovers from 12th to 13th December, or take the kids and explore the children's Advent Trail until 23rd December. With many more festive activities on offer get ready to set sail on an adventure this Christmas.

19. Mount Stewart - Newtownards, County Down.

Discover a variety of festive events at Mount Stewart, bring along your four-legged friends for a Christmas inspired dog photography session on 7th December, or bring the family for the festive family trail until 6th January and indoor wreath making on 5th December.

Wales

20. Tudor Merchant's House - Tenby, Pembrokeshire.

Step back in time to discover how the Tudor's celebrated Christmas and meet the Tudor lord of misrule at the Tudor Merchant's House from 6th to 7th and 13th and 14th December from £6.50, with a special present available for kids!

21. Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway - Porthmadog, Gwynedd.

Head full steam ahead into the festivities at Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway. With the Caernarfon Santa trains and magical carriage grotto running between Caernarfon and Rhyd Ddu, you’ll get the chance to meet Father Christmas and his Elves on-board, greeting passengers, handing out gifts and singing Christmas carols with tickets remaining for 7th and 8th December.

22. Botanical Garden of Wales - Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire.

Have a hoot with an unforgettable experience to see Santa and his owl helpers! Meet the owls who deliver letters to the man himself each weekend until 23rd December, as well as Christmas flying shows, crafting activities and much more.

23. Cardiff Castle - City centre, Cardiff.

Discover an action packed adventure for all the family at Cardiff Castle, with a variety of magical events on from Cardiff's Winter Wonderland, the opportunity to visit Father Christmas at the castle until 22nd December from £20, Victorian Christmas tours from £18 between 10th and 17th December and a huge selection of seasonal films on offer, there’s something for everyone.

24. Cardigan Castle - Cardigan, Ceredigion.

Explore the magic of the festive season at Cardigan Castle this winter, with the chance to paint your own Christmas gift with Gwili Pottery on 7th December from £30, why not give someone something extra special this festive season?

25. Wales Millennium Centre - Cardiff Bay, Cardiff.

Explore a variety of festive fun at the Wales Millennium Centre, with the first year of their Christmas markets with free entry each weekend until 21st December! Or uncover the magic by catching the showstopping, All I want for Christmas is musicals show on from 6th to 21st December, and many more incredible performances.