Beautiful places to pick out your Christmas tree this year

Whether you’re hauling the decorations out as soon as November rolls around or holding off until the advent countdown to deck the halls, choosing the perfect Christmas tree is one of the season’s standout moments. Across the UK, family-run farms, garden nurseries and sprawling woodlands have turned the annual tree hunt into an occasion in its own right, with festive markets, seasonal food and drink, and hands-on workshops adding to the appeal. From the classic Nordmann fir, loved for its glossy needles and the way it holds them, to the silvery Blue Spruce, here’s where to find yours – and what to do once it’s in the car.

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond, London

This leafy west London nursery moves at a refreshingly slow pace, with greenery spilling across rustic greenhouses and floral canopies shading quiet corners. Some locals wander along River Lane from Ham, while others cut across Richmond Green to browse the lifestyle shop – often stopping for a slab of cake or a sit-down meal at the Green Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant. It’s an idyllic spot to find your Christmas tree, with sustainably grown Nordmann firs sourced from farms across the UK. For something extra special, book the bespoke tree-decorating service, which sees your fir delivered to your door and dressed with twinkling lights and festive baubles. Browse the shop for seasonal trinkets or book a November or December workshop in wreath-making, festive tablescaping or Christmas calligraphy. petershamnurseries.com

Jolly Nice Farmshop, Stroud, Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is hardly short of excellent farm shops, but the best-known names often come with finger-tappingly long queues. Jolly Nice is a local favourite for colourful seasonal produce, succulent cuts of meat and a carefully curated selection from nearby farmers and growers. Come Christmas, it fills with freshly cut Nordmann, Fraser and Noble firs and Lodgepole pine. The trees are just the beginning, with a festive skating rink, reindeer encounters and fireside stories with Father Christmas turning the tree hunt into a special day out. There’s a feel-good reason to pick a tree here, too: £1 from every tree sold goes towards a goal of planting 30,000 trees in Cambodia. Once you’ve found your tree, warm up with hot chocolate and cake, or shop for stocking stuffers. jollynicefarmshop.com

The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall

Sitting pretty in the rolling Fowey valley on the Duchy of Cornwall estate, this destination nursery draws visitors for its views of 13th-century Restormel Castle. Pick your tree, bundle it into the car, then linger among seasonal flowers, wrought-iron arbours and sculptural garden displays. The cafe terrace is a lovely spot for a long, lazy lunch or Cornish cream tea, while the shop stocks stylish homewares, gifts and garden finds. Check the festive calendar for wreath-making workshops in the glasshouse, a reindeer trail and late-night shopping with live music and seasonal street food. Don’t miss Lostwithiel’s antique shops and medieval bridge before you head home. duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk

Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down, East Sussex

Few things kick off the festive season like cutting down your own tree. At this 62-acre family-run woodland in East Sussex, you can choose your ideal tree, then saw it down yourself. Not a fan of DIY? The courtyard has pre-cut trees, including the well-loved Blue Spruce, with its silvery-blue hue, tiered silhouette and fragrant, if prickly, needles. Once your tree is sorted, settle in for wood-fired pizzas, hot chocolate, live music and festive fayres showcasing local makers and handcrafted gifts. Take home local wines, homemade mince pies and wreath-making kits, or keep little ones busy with wooden reindeer and snowman crafts. wildernesswood.org

Raby Castle, Staindrop, County Durham

Willy Wonka meets Christmas at Raby Castle, where The Coach Shop’s rustic, timber-beamed barn transforms into a festive emporium brimming with seasonal trinkets. Nutcrackers, frosted wreaths and dressed trees set the scene, alongside toy trains, baubles, garlands, stockings and tree toppers. Pick up a Christmas tree grown on the estate – its Nordmann firs are prized for their dense green foliage and excellent needle retention – then warm up with mulled wine, deluxe hot chocolate or bratwurst as you browse the Christmas market. Outside, red-and-white-striped stalls brim with artisan crafts, thoughtful gifts, seasonal treats and decorations. raby.co.uk/raby-castle/

Chatsworth Farm Shop, Pilsley, Derbyshire

Chatsworth House stages one of the UK’s most eagerly anticipated Christmas displays, so it’s little surprise the Derbyshire estate offers a stellar selection of trees, too. Head to Chatsworth Farm Shop for British-grown trees, alongside festive wreaths, seasonal food and Christmas arrangements. The house’s 2026 theme is The 12 Days of Christmas. Advent-inspired installations will adorn the grand exterior, and the State Apartments will feature paper sculptures by Yorkshire-based artist Andy Singleton. Outside, a two-kilometre light-and-sound trail winds through the gardens, while the Christmas Market brings together more than 100 festive stalls, stacked with gifts, crafts and seasonal treats. chatsworth.org/farm-shop

Burford Garden Company, Burford, Oxfordshire

Burford has become one of the Cotswolds’ most sought-after bases, with new openings like the Bull drawing a seriously stylish crowd. At its heart, Burford Garden Company is a favourite with locals and weekending city dwellers. Christmas sees its greenhouse shop transformed into a festive wonderland, with trailing foliage, lantern lights and decorations that lean into nature. Stock up on pantry staples like sauces, olives, biscuits and teas, or browse glass baubles, handblown ornaments and sustainably made paper decorations. For the main event, head to the tree nursery, where arched polytunnel ribs frame rows of firs, while hessian-wrapped trees draped in ribbons dial up the festive vibe. Rarer varieties include the Lasiocarpa, with its narrow, spire-like crown, and the Korean fir, prized for its distinctive cones. burford.co.uk

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon

This working farm near Topsham in Devon stocks freshly cut trees from award-winning Dartmoor Christmas Tree Co, including Norway spruces and Nordmann firs, alongside balled-and-burlapped options for those after a rooted tree. Once you’ve got your tree sorted, turn your attention to the farm’s considerable festive spoils. Its barn-style restaurant, with timber-clad ceilings, lantern lights and log-stacked walls, sets the scene for a leisurely lunch or afternoon tea, while the Christmas calendar spans wreath-making workshops, food masterclasses, carol singing and Santa’s Grotto. The food hall is worth a detour, with local bronze turkeys, handmade Christmas puddings and bespoke hampers among the seasonal provisions. dartsfarm.co.uk

Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Flintshire, Wales

Half an hour from Chester, on the Welsh side of the border, Hawarden Estate offers a country-estate setting for the tree hunt. Pick from four varieties – Nordmann fir, Norway spruce, Blue Spruce and Fraser fir – with many trees grown on the estate’s sister property, Glen Dye, in the Scottish Highlands. Once you’ve found your tree, head to the Alpine-themed courtyard for toasted marshmallows and indulgent hot chocolates. The Christmas market adds live music and a roster of festive stalls, while the farm shop is the place to stock up on turkey, Christmas pudding, cheeses and deli goodies for Christmas Eve grazing. hawardenestate.co.uk/farm-shop

Duff Christmas Tree Farm, Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire

In the Stirlingshire countryside, near Buchlyvie and the southern edge of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park, Duff Christmas Tree Farm keeps things refreshingly simple: open fields, a saw and the freedom to hunt down your own tree. Kneeling mats are provided, so you can take your time finding the right fit. Choose from Nordmann firs, Fraser firs and Norway spruces, with trees reaching up to 12ft – whether you favour dense foliage, a neat silhouette or the distinctive scent of fresh-cut spruce. Once your tree is loaded, shake off the needles and head to the food trucks for wood-fired pizzas, cakes, sweet treats and warming seasonal drinks. Pre-cut trees and handmade wreaths are available if you’d rather skip the sawing. dufftrees.co.uk