Christmas at Tudor Barn Eltham means wreath making workshops, festive afternoon teas, party nights, a full Christmas Day lunch and a New Year's Eve celebration to ring in 2027 - all inside London's last remaining Tudor barn, where open fireplaces, exposed beams and fairy lights do most of the decorating for me.

I've hosted enough winters here now to know that a genuinely old building doesn't need much dressing up for Christmas. The Tudor Gallery, with its beams, stained glass and open fireplace, feels festive almost without trying, and the 13 acres of parkland around us make even a short walk between courses feel like part of the occasion rather than an inconvenience. By the time New Year's Eve comes around and the last of the baubles are still up, the barn has usually settled into its favourite season of the year.

What's On This Year

Wreath making workshops. I love this one because it's the one Christmas event where nobody's dressed up and everyone leaves with something to show for it. It's a relaxed, hands-on afternoon or evening making your own Christmas wreath to take home, whether you're coming with friends, family, or colleagues after something a bit different from the usual team outing.

Festive afternoon tea. Our traditional afternoon tea gets a Christmas makeover through the season. I still serve it in the same charming mismatch of vintage China, in the same cosy gastropub setting full of rustic charm and Tudor heritage, just with a few more mince pies than usual.

Christmas parties. We run both shared Christmas parties, for smaller groups and companies, and exclusive party packages, brand new for 2026, for up to 180 guests, available Monday to Saturday throughout November and December. If you're organising the office ‘do’ this year, get in early as December fills up fast.

Christmas Eve. A dedicated Christmas Eve party for anyone who likes to start the celebrations a day early, with live music and mulled wine on tap.

Christmas Day. A proper Christmas Day lunch at Tudor Barn Eltham, for anyone who'd rather leave the cooking, the washing up and the hosting to me this year. And if you've been good, Santa has been known to make a special appearance with a gift for you too.

New Year's Eve. Our New Year's Eve celebration, welcoming 2027. Expect a lovely three course meal and dancing until 1.00am - the kind of countdown that feels a little more special inside a five-hundred-year-old barn than it does in most function rooms.

Why a Tudor Barn Works So Well at Christmas and New Year

A lot of the atmosphere everyone tries to create with decorations, we have already have built into the building. The fireplace is real, the beams are five hundred years old, and the fairy lights woven through them stay up as one of our permanent features rather than something we put up in November and take down in January. It means the room does a lot of the work for us, and whatever event you're joining, whether that be a work Christmas party, a family Christmas Day lunch, or seeing in the new year with friends, it already feels like somewhere worth putting your best outfit on for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tudor Barn Eltham do Christmas Day lunch?

Yes, we host a full Christmas Day lunch every year. Booking early is recommended, as this is one of our most popular dates.

Can I book an exclusive Christmas party?

Yes, exclusive Christmas party packages are available Monday to Saturday throughout November and December, for up to 180 guests. Shared Christmas parties are also available if your group is smaller.

Does Tudor Barn Eltham host New Year's Eve parties?

Yes, we host a  New Year's Eve celebration every year, with music and dinner in our downstairs gastropub. Get in touch for current dates, pricing and availability, as places tend to sell out early.

Is the festive afternoon tea different from your usual afternoon tea?

 It carries a festive theme through the season, served in the same setting, served in our cosy downstairs gastropub

What's included in a wreath making workshop?

A hands-on session making your own Christmas wreath to take home, suited to friends, family groups or colleagues alike. Get in touch for current dates and pricing.

Where is Tudor Barn Eltham?

Tudor Barn Eltham is a 16th-century barn set within Well Hall Pleasaunce, a 13-acre park in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, southeast London.

How far in advance should I book Christmas or New Year's Eve at Tudor Barn Eltham?

As early as possible. December and New Year's Eve are among my busiest dates of the year, and both the Christmas Day lunch and the New Year's Eve celebration tend to sell out well ahead of the date itself.

To check dates, pricing and availability for any of my Christmas or New Year's Eve events, visit my Christmas page or get in touch with the team directly.