Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables
An interactive storytelling experience with Father Christmas and his elf friend, Holly Berry.
This year at Gibside Stables, we bring you a brand new festive story for children and families to enjoy.
Across the 11 event dates there are 7 sessions to choose from, including a relaxed timeslot at 10:35am–11:10am. Relaxed sessions offer a low‑sensory environment, designed for families with SEND and younger children.
Meet Happy Holly Berry, a playful forest elf with a twinkle in her eye. She’ll greet you at Gibside Stables and guide you to her very special friend, Father Christmas.
Gather close for a festive tale as Father Christmas shares a heart‑warming story filled with merry cheer and North Pole magic. This interactive in‑character storytelling invites children to join the fun during a cosy 20‑minute experience.
The final 10 minutes include each child receiving a small gift to take home, along with time for grown‑ups to capture their own photo with Father Christmas. Professional photography is not provided.
Image credit: Rebecca Hughes
Please note:
- Standard admission charges apply to non-members on arrival. Please bring along your membership cards or pay for admission at Visitor Reception.
- Meet at Gibside Stables courtyard, 10 minutes before your session is due to start. We recommend arriving to Gibside 45 minutes early, to give little legs plenty of time to reach the Stables comfortably.
- Dress for the weather and wrap-up warm, Gibside Stables is an old building and the walk there can take up to 30 minutes.
- Please email access requirements 48hrs ahead of your visit, gibside@nationaltrust.org.uk. There is an inclined walk to the Stables. Call 07712 535938 to hire mobility trampers. A volunteer‑driven bus may also be available. If pre-informed, a staff-operated lift is available, suitable for wheelchair users. Cushions and chairs provided, visitors with access needs will be prioritised for chairs.
- Recommended for 3yrs through primary school, best suited up to 9yrs.
- Non-members will need to pay for admission on the day. Members must bring their membership cards. Have your booking confirmation email ready, to show Visitor Reception staff upon arrival.
- To help ensure a positive experience for all, late arrivals may not be able to be accommodated, and refunds will not be offered.
- Refunds are only available if the event is cancelled by the National Trust, we will contact you directly if this is the case. For closure updates, please check our website and social media before travelling. Where possible, we’ll aim to offer an alternative date or timeslot, though this cannot be guaranteed
- Dogs aren’t permitted at this event and, while welcome at Gibside, must always remain supervised
- Bookings allow up to 2 adults with a minimum of 1 paying child. Children must be supervised. Under 18 month olds are free and do not need a ticket, unless you’d like them to receive a gift.
Ticket options
An interactive storytelling experience with Father Christmas and his elf friend, Holly Berry.
This year at Gibside Stables, we bring you a brand new festive story for children and families to enjoy.
Across the 11 event dates there are 7 sessions to choose from, including a relaxed timeslot at 10:35am–11:10am. Relaxed sessions offer a low‑sensory environment, designed for families with SEND and younger children.
Meet Happy Holly Berry, a playful forest elf with a twinkle in her eye. She’ll greet you at Gibside Stables and guide you to her very special friend, Father Christmas.
Gather close for a festive tale as Father Christmas shares a heart‑warming story filled with merry cheer and North Pole magic. This interactive in‑character storytelling invites children to join the fun during a cosy 20‑minute experience.
The final 10 minutes include each child receiving a small gift to take home, along with time for grown‑ups to capture their own photo with Father Christmas. Professional photography is not provided.
Image credit: Rebecca Hughes
Please note:
- Standard admission charges apply to non-members on arrival. Please bring along your membership cards or pay for admission at Visitor Reception.
- Meet at Gibside Stables courtyard, 10 minutes before your session is due to start. We recommend arriving to Gibside 45 minutes early, to give little legs plenty of time to reach the Stables comfortably.
- Dress for the weather and wrap-up warm, Gibside Stables is an old building and the walk there can take up to 30 minutes.
- Please email access requirements 48hrs ahead of your visit, gibside@nationaltrust.org.uk. There is an inclined walk to the Stables. Call 07712 535938 to hire mobility trampers. A volunteer‑driven bus may also be available. If pre-informed, a staff-operated lift is available, suitable for wheelchair users. Cushions and chairs provided, visitors with access needs will be prioritised for chairs.
- Recommended for 3yrs through primary school, best suited up to 9yrs.
- Non-members will need to pay for admission on the day. Members must bring their membership cards. Have your booking confirmation email ready, to show Visitor Reception staff upon arrival.
- To help ensure a positive experience for all, late arrivals may not be able to be accommodated, and refunds will not be offered.
- Refunds are only available if the event is cancelled by the National Trust, we will contact you directly if this is the case. For closure updates, please check our website and social media before travelling. Where possible, we’ll aim to offer an alternative date or timeslot, though this cannot be guaranteed
- Dogs aren’t permitted at this event and, while welcome at Gibside, must always remain supervised
- Bookings allow up to 2 adults with a minimum of 1 paying child. Children must be supervised. Under 18 month olds are free and do not need a ticket, unless you’d like them to receive a gift.
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