Christmas and New YearChristmas and New Year 2026 in a South Downs house near Chichester

Christmas at the houses

Each house has its own front door, a kitchen to cook Christmas dinner in and a garden. Keepers and The Old Stables have wood burners. Barley Cottage takes one well-behaved dog. The Victoria Inn is a very short walk away in the village.

A whole family can take two or all three houses. Keepers, The Old Stables and Barley Cottage each sleep 4, so up to 12 of you are together on one farm, with a door to close when you need it. See whole-farm hire.

West Sussex and Hampshire schools break up on Friday 18 December 2026 and go back on Monday 4 January 2027. Christmas Day is a Friday, so the Boxing Day bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December.

Markets and switch-ons

We have marked each one confirmed, where the organiser’s own site gives the date, or reported, where it comes from the press or a listings site. Check before you travel.

• Weald & Downland Living Museum Christmas Market, Singleton, about 20 minutes: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, 10am to 4pm, about 100 stalls, booking essential (confirmed)
• Light Up Chichester, the lights switch-on at the Market Cross: Saturday 21 November, 5pm (reported)
• West Dean Christmas Market, under 20 minutes: Friday 27 November, 2pm to 6pm, and Saturday 28 November, 9am to 6pm (reported)
• Christmas wreath workshop at Stansted Park, under 10 minutes: Saturday 28 November (confirmed)
• Christmas at Stansted House: Sunday 6 December, 11am to 4pm (confirmed)
• Petersfield Christmas Market, about 20 minutes: Sunday 13 December, 10am to 3.30pm, 100 stalls (confirmed)

Lights, houses, shows and carols

The same labels apply. Where a date is not yet announced we give last year’s as a guide and say so.

• Enlightened light trail at Staunton Farm, about 15 minutes, the nearest light trail: 3 December to 2 January (reported)
• A Magical Christmas at Petworth House and Park, 35 to 40 minutes: 28 November to 3 January, closed 24 and 25 December (reported)
• A Christmas Wish at Hinton Ampner, 35 to 40 minutes: 14 November to 3 January, house visits must be booked (reported)
• Christmas at Uppark, about 10 minutes: dates for 2026 not verified. See Uppark and Harting Down
• Chichester Festival Theatre: Christmas Concerts 1 to 5 December, Hey! Christmas Tree 5 to 27 December, Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure 14 to 30 December (all reported)
• Chichester Cathedral carol services: 2026 dates not yet found. In 2025 there were four, on 18 to 21 December, free and unticketed, and the Advent Procession was on Advent Sunday, which is 29 November in 2026
• Boxing Day racing at Fontwell Park, about 30 minutes: expected on Saturday 26 December 2026, not confirmed

Getting about in winter

Chichester is about 20 minutes’ drive, and so are Petersfield and Singleton. The other times above are our estimates in normal traffic. The lanes are dark and can be icy, so allow a little longer. Parking at the houses is free.

Between Christmas and New Year, walk. Kingley Vale is at its best in winter light, and the West Marden loop of the Octagon walks is 2.7 miles from the village and ends at the pub. Our pub guide has the others. Book tables early for Christmas week.

When to book

Christmas week and New Year are each booked by one party per house, so they go early. There is a three-night minimum stay at Christmas. The weekends from late November, when the markets are on, are easier to find. If you would like to stay well into January, see long winter lets. Book direct with no booking fees, or message us on WhatsApp.