Chelsea Pensioners look out over a snow covered Light Horse Court

Christmas at the Soane Stable Yard

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Christmas at the Soane Stable Yard

Join us for a Soane Stable Yard Christmas 

Saturdays: 6th, 13th & 20th December

Step into the festive spirit at the Soane Stable Yard this December! Each Saturday, we’re hosting a joyful programme of family-friendly events and activities to celebrate the season in style.

A Cosy Christmas Experience

Nestled in the heart of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Soane Stable Yard offers a warm and welcoming setting for all ages. Enjoy hands-on craft workshops, interactive storytelling with a Chelsea Pensioner, guided tours, festive talks, and enchanting choir performances by the Holland Park Youth Choir and our very own Chelsea Pensioner singers.

Festive Treats at Heidi Bakery

Take a break with a steaming cup of mulled wine or indulge in a slice of festive cake at Heidi Bakery, the perfect spot to relax and soak up the seasonal cheer.

Two Chelsea Pensioners, dressed in their iconic scarlet uniforms, stand either side of large wooden doors, which are partially opened revealing a historic chapel, with Fresco painted mural, wooden altar and two Christmas trees either side.

Discover The Royal Hospital Chelsea

Join a Chelsea Pensioner for a special tour of the site and learn how we transform the hospital for Christmas. Explore its rich history and traditions in a truly magical setting.

Book a Pensioner Led Tour

Plan Your Visit

Each Saturday in December offers something unique - check below for full details of what’s happening on each day. We can’t wait to welcome you and your loved ones to the Soane Stable Yard for a Christmas to remember.

Christmas Events

A pair of hands are tying a yellow ribbon on to a handcrafted Christmas wreath of green pine branches. A wooden table holds a container of gold baubles and pine cones.
Christmas, Veterans Outreach

Veterans Outreach: Wreath Making Workshop

Thu 4th Dec 2025 10.00am - Thu 4th Dec 2025 3.30pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Space, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Get crafty this Christmas at our exclusive Veterans Outreach Christmas wreath making workshop in the Soane Stable Yard! Sponsored by Growing Together, this hands-on session invites retired veterans from the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force & Merchant Navy to craft a Christmas wreath during our guided session.

A colourful table adorned with craft making suppliers a Christmas Garlands. A Christmas card depicts a hand crafted Chelsea Pensioner
Christmas, Family Event, Free Event

Design a Christmas Card for a Chelsea Pensioner

Sat 6th Dec 2025 10.00am - Sat 6th Dec 2025 1.30pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Space, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Join us for a heart-warming family workshop where children can create and design a festive Christmas card to be delivered to a Chelsea Pensioner. It’s a lovely way for young ones to share seasonal cheer and connect with our cherished residents.

An old black and white photo of the alter at the Royal Hospital Chelsea's Wren Chapel - with Christmas trees on either side of the photo
Christmas, Lectures, Public Event

Wartime Christmas at the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Sat 6th Dec 2025 3.00pm - Sat 6th Dec 2025 4.00pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Space, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Drawing from his acclaimed book The Royal Hospital Chelsea at War, Martin Cawthorne will reflect on how the festive season unfolded during one of the darkest chapters in the Hospital’s history. Discover how Christmas became a symbol of hope, compassion, and duty on the Home Front, even as the Hospital itself stood in the line of fire.

Santa is pictured in his traditional costume alongside a coffee shop employee in a red Santa hat. Indoors within a cafe setting with a counter on the left, large menu on the right and Christmas decorations in the background.
Christmas, Family Event

Breakfast with Santa

Sun 7th Dec 2025 9.00am - Tue 23rd Dec 2025 9.00am
Location: Heidi Bakery at the Soane Stable Yard, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Step into the festive spirit with Breakfast with Santa, hosted by Heidi Bakery, within the Soane Stable Yard at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

A colourful table adorned with craft making suppliers a Christmas Garlands. A Christmas card depicts a hand crafted Chelsea Pensioner
Christmas, Family Event, Free Event

Design a Christmas Card for a Chelsea Pensioner

Sat 13th Dec 2025 10.00am - Sat 13th Dec 2025 12.00pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Space, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Join us for a heart-warming family workshop where children can create and design a festive Christmas card to be delivered to a Chelsea Pensioner. It’s a lovely way for young ones to share seasonal cheer and connect with our cherished residents.

A colourful table top is shown from above with red, yellow and green decorations and crafting equipment. A pair of hands are crafting decorations while a mug of hot chocolate with huge fluffy white marshmallows sits on the table.
Christmas, Family Event, Free Event

Family Christmas Decorations Workshop

Sat 13th Dec 2025 1.00pm - Sat 13th Dec 2025 4.00pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Space, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Get crafty this Christmas at our festive family workshop in the Soane Stable Yard! Led by our talented arts and crafts facilitator, Veronica, this hands-on session invites children and families to create their very own Christmas decorations to take home or gift to someone special.

a group of friends dressed in Christmas hats and winter coats are laughing together in front of a festive decorated Soane Stable Courtyard
Christmas, Free Event, Public Event

Festive Favourites in the Soane Stable Yard

Sat 13th Dec 2025 4.00pm - Sat 13th Dec 2025 4.45pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard, Court Yard. Royal Hospital Chelsea

Join us for a heart-warming performance of festive favourites in the Soane Stable Yard courtyard. Join the Opera Holland Park Youth Chorus - a talented group of local 8–12 year olds, directed by Joe Cummings and supported by professional opera singers - as they fill the air with the joyful sounds of Christmas.