A Victorian Christmas Experience

Yes. The Victorian Christmas Experience is suitable for children aged 5 and over. Families can enjoy discovering Victorian Christmas traditions together through storytelling, festive crafts and seasonal treats. Children under 5 are not permitted on this experience.

Your experience begins with our standard 1-hour guided tour of The Real Mary King's Close. Afterwards, you'll be welcomed into one of our atmospheric underground vaulted rooms, where a member of the Chesney family will share stories of Christmas in Victorian Edinburgh. You'll also enjoy a traditional tea and scone, before taking part in a festive craft inspired by authentic Victorian customs.

A Victorian Christmas Experience is a special festive experience at The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh. It combines our 1-hour guided tour with a 30-minute interactive Victorian Christmas experience, where you’ll meet a member of the Chesney family and discover how people celebrated Christmas in Victorian Edinburgh. Your visit also includes tea and a scone with jam and clotted cream, plus a festive craft activity.

Your ticket includes a cup of tea and a freshly baked scone served with jam and clotted cream during the Victorian Christmas experience.

Your ticket includes a 1-hour guided tour of The Real Mary King’s Close, followed by a 30-minute Victorian Christmas experience with a member of the Chesney family. You’ll learn about Victorian festive traditions and folklore, enjoy tea and a scone with jam and clotted cream, and take part in a Christmas craft activity inspired by Victorian traditions.

Allow approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes for the full experience. This includes a 1-hour guided tour of The Real Mary King’s Close followed by a 30-minute interactive Victorian Christmas experience.

If you have dietary requirements or food allergies, please contact us before your visit. We will do our best to accommodate your needs where possible.

Yes. Discover how Christmas was celebrated in Victorian Edinburgh, from festive customs and folklore to traditions that have been passed down through generations and are still part of Christmas today.

During your Victorian Christmas Experience, you'll discover how Christmas was celebrated in Edinburgh during the Victorian era. Learn about festive customs, seasonal folklore, gift-giving, decorations and traditions that became popular during the 19th century, many of which are still part of Christmas celebrations today.

No. Audio guides are not available for the Victorian Christmas Experience as the interactive storytelling and activities are delivered live.

No. The Victorian Christmas Experience is only available as part of the full experience, which includes our standard guided tour.

Absolutely. The craft activity is designed for guests of all ages and offers everyone the chance to create a festive keepsake inspired by Victorian Christmas traditions.

No. The Victorian Christmas Experience runs on selected Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 to 27 December 2026. We recommend booking early, as places are limited.

Yes. The entire experience takes place indoors. You'll begin with our guided tour through the historic streets beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile before continuing into one of our atmospheric underground vaulted rooms for the Victorian Christmas experience.

Absolutely. If you're looking for a unique Christmas activity in Edinburgh, the Victorian Christmas Experience offers a memorable way for families to enjoy the festive season together. Combining real history, engaging storytelling, festive refreshments and a hands-on craft activity, it's an experience suitable for adults and children aged 5 and over.

Yes. In addition to running throughout December, the experience is also available on Saturday 26 December and Sunday 27 December. If you're visiting Edinburgh during the festive break, it's a wonderful way to continue the Christmas celebrations while discovering the city's hidden history.

A Victorian Christmas Experience runs on selected Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4th to 27th December 2026. Places are limited, so advance booking is recommended.

Tickets for A Victorian Christmas Experience cost £33 per adult and £26 per child. Children must be aged 5 or over to visit The Real Mary King’s Close.

A Victorian Christmas Experience takes place at The Real Mary King’s Close, beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Both the guided tour and the Victorian Christmas activities take place on site.

Yes. A Victorian Christmas Experience includes our standard 1-hour guided tour of The Real Mary King’s Close, followed by an exclusive 30-minute festive experience. During this additional experience, you’ll meet a member of the Chesney family, learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, enjoy tea and a scone, and take part in a festive craft activity.

Advance booking is strongly recommended. A Victorian Christmas Experience is only available on selected Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4th to 27th December 2026, and places are limited.