- Christmas
- 4th Nov 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
Christmas at Wynyard Hall: the County Durham country house that’s pure magic
- Advertisement Feature
Christmas at Wynyard Hall is the festive day out you’ll still be talking about in January, and it’s right on our doorstep.
Set within a private 400-acre estate in Billingham, the 18th-century, Grade II-listed country house hosts a packed line-up of Christmas events County Durham can be proud of, with twinkling lights across the grounds and crisp winter walks waiting outside the door.
This year’s festive programme runs from a handmade Christmas fayre in November right through to a black-tie ball on New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re after carols, cake, or a glass of something sparkling at midnight, here’s everything you need to know and how to book it.
IT’S NOT JUST FOR WEDDINGS, YOU KNOW
Plenty of us know Wynyard Hall for its weddings, but there’s a lot more going on across the estate. There’s an award-winning spa, a cluster of charming cottages to stay in, The Glass House restaurant with its home-grown approach to dining, and one of the largest rose gardens in Britain.
At Christmas, the whole place gets the festive treatment, and this year’s line-up has something for everyone, from early-bird gift shoppers to New Year’s Eve party animals. Here’s what’s on.
WYNYARD HALL CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Friday 20th November – Sunday 22nd November
Tickets: £8 for adults, £7 for concessions and children aged 4 to 13 and under-4s go free.
Wynyard Hall’s annual Christmas Fayre is back for another year, and it’s the Christmas fayre the North East looks forward to as the unofficial start of the festive season. Local and regional bakers, crafters, and designers take over the Hall for three days, selling handmade gifts, festive food, and seasonal treats you won’t find on the high street.
Entry slots run at 10am and 1pm each day, with the fayre open 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Consider your Christmas shopping list sorted.
FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA
Sunday 6th, 13th, 20th and Thursday 24th December
Cost: £39 per person
If your idea of festive indulgence involves a tiered stand, this one’s for you. Wynyard Hall’s Festive Afternoon Tea starts with freshly baked scones, generous dollops of clotted cream, and homemade preserves, alongside dainty finger sandwiches made with local ingredients. Then comes the sweet stuff: mince pies, yule log, and macarons.
It’s all served with speciality tea or freshly brewed coffee and a glass of fizz, in the Hall’s elegant rooms dressed with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations. It’s the perfect excuse to round up your mam, your best mates, or the whole family before the big day.
Dates are limited, so don’t leave it late.
FESTIVE DINING AT THE GLASS HOUSE
From Friday 20th November and throughout December
When it’s dark by four and frosty outside, there’s a lot to be said for a long, lazy festive lunch somewhere gorgeous. Wynyard Hall’s restaurant, The Glass House, is launching its seasonal menu this month, built around top-notch local ingredients and served with panoramic views over the estate’s gardens.
It’s a lovely spot to gather the family, catch up with friends you haven’t seen all year, or treat yourselves to a proper Christmas meal without anyone having to peel a single sprout. The festive menu launches on the same day as the Christmas Fayre, so you could shop the stalls in the morning and settle in for a festive feast afterwards.
Booking is essential, and tables are already being snapped up, so get your date in the diary sooner rather than later.
Planning the work do? The events team also hosts corporate Christmas parties, from intimate gatherings to grand festive celebrations, so get in touch early to grab your date.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: THE DIAMOND BALL
Thursday 31st December
Tickets: £175 per person
If you’re going to welcome in 2027, you might as well do it properly. Wynyard Hall’s Diamond Ball blends Gatsby-era decadence with Bond-worthy sophistication, so dig out the black tie and get ready for a New Year’s Eve party the North East won’t forget in a hurry.
The night kicks off with fizz on arrival and canapés, followed by a three-course dinner. Then there’s a live band, a DJ, and casino tables to try your luck at, plus entry into the Diamond Raffle for the chance to win a £3,000 diamond. As midnight approaches, everyone heads out for a spectacular fireworks display.
Arrival’s at 7pm and carriages are at 1.30am.
Diamonds, fireworks, and a dance floor. See the year out in style.
WHY NOT MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT?
With its own cottages and an award-winning spa on site, there’s no need to squeeze Christmas at Wynyard Hall into a single afternoon. Book a stay, wrap up for a wintry walk around the grounds, and let somebody else do the hosting for once.
Christmas in County Durham doesn’t get much more magical than this.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.