Christmas in Colour at Lulworth Castle

Themed trees, a festive trail and Father Christmas (with pets welcome too)

Lulworth Castle is getting into the Christmas spirit with Christmas in Colour, running from Sunday 6 to Wednesday 23 December (Sunday to Friday, 10.30am to 4pm, closed Saturdays), with a castle full of decorated real Christmas trees, a festive trail for children and the chance to meet Father Christmas.

Set within the Lulworth Estate in East Lulworth, near Wareham and a few miles inland from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, the historic castle makes a striking setting for a festive day out close to home.

Why visit Lulworth Castle

Built in the early 1600s as a hunting lodge for entertaining aristocracy and royalty, Lulworth Castle became the family seat of the Weld family, who still own the Lulworth Estate today. George III and Queen Charlotte visited in 1789, and in 1830 the deposed French king Charles X stayed briefly at the castle after fleeing France.

In 1929 a fire gutted the castle, leaving it a roofless shell. It has since been partly restored with the help of English Heritage, and today visitors can explore inside and climb the tower.

In the grounds, St Mary's Chapel was the first free-standing Catholic chapel to be built in England since the Reformation. According to family tradition, George III allowed Thomas Weld to build it as long as it took the form of a mausoleum, which is why it looks like a classical garden building rather than a church. Nearby, St Andrew's Church was partly designed by a young Thomas Hardy.

A family day out

For families, there's plenty beyond the history. The grounds include open parkland, woodland walks and the Peacock Park woodland playground, while the Castle Tearoom serves drinks, cakes and cream teas. The castle and grounds are also dog friendly, so the whole family can come along.

A castle full of Christmas trees

The centrepiece of Christmas in Colour is a display of beautifully decorated real Christmas trees, each one themed in a different colour or style.

Visitors are invited to explore the castle, take in each of the displays and decide on the family favourite, which could make for some lively debate on the drive home.

Festive fun for children

Younger visitors can pick up a trail sheet and set off around the castle to spot the crackers and the colours of Christmas as they explore.

Meet Father Christmas

Father Christmas will be making time for visitors at the castle, with Meet & Greet sessions available as an optional add-on to your visit for £6 per child. Each five-minute slot is for one child and includes one gift.

In a festive touch that will go down well with Dorset's many dog owners, furry family members can have their own visit too, at the same price of £6 per pet.

Father Christmas slots are booked in advance through the Lulworth website and are usually among the first things to go, so it's worth booking early.

A festive day out in Dorset

With Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door just down the road, a visit to the castle fits easily into a winter day out on the Jurassic Coast, whether that means a bracing coastal walk first or heading home via the Cove.

Whether it's choosing a favourite tree, completing the festive trail or a visit to Father Christmas with the children (or the dog), Christmas in Colour is a lovely way to start the festive season close to home.

To find out more about Christmas in Colour at Lulworth Castle, including tickets and Father Christmas bookings, visit https://lulworth.com/visit/places-to-visit/castle-and-park/whats-on-at-the-castle/