A round-up of Christmas jumpers from UK museums and heritage shops, from dinosaurs to Spitfires, Stonehenge to steam trains and Parliamentary portcullises.
After several years exploring the festive offerings adorning museum and heritage shop Christmas trees, it seems only natural to turn our attention to what’s being worn around them.
The Christmas jumper market has become an established seasonal revenue stream, and museums and heritage organisations have developed their own ranges to capitalise on the tradition.
This year’s selection demonstrates how institutions are translating their collections and identities into knitwear. From dinosaurs to steam trains, Spitfires to Stonehenge, the designs reflect the diversity of the sector’s retail offerings.
Several organisations have partnered with UK manufacturers or social enterprises, while others have opted for exclusive designs to differentiate their products in a crowded market.
Here’s our round-up of Christmas jumpers (and one or two thematically appropriate alternatives) from museums and heritage sites across the UK.
English Heritage
English Heritage’s Stonehenge jumper features a Nordic-inspired design in green, red and blue, with the site’s iconic Trilithons worked into a repeat pattern alongside Christmas trees. The 100% acrylic knit is exclusive to English Heritage.
Tank Museum
The Tank Museum’s 2025 limited edition jumper features a Centurion tank above a traditional festive pattern, marking the 80th anniversary of the tank’s launch. The 100% acrylic knit is machine-washable and tumble-dried.
IWM
Imperial War Museums’ Christmas jumper features Santa flying a Spitfire across a blue knit, surrounded by candy canes, gingerbread men, Christmas lights and trees. The jumper is made from 100% recycled acrylic.
Science Museum
The Science Museum’s Christmas Planet Jumper features a space-themed pattern with planets and celestial bodies. The exclusive design is also available in children’s sizes.
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum’s red train Christmas jumper features a detailed train design that references classic railway heritage. The jumper is available in both adult and children’s sizes.
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum’s 2025 Christmas jumper arranges London transport icons – including the black taxi, Routemaster bus, Tube train, DLR train, river boats, Santander hire bikes and Cable Cars – into a Christmas tree design with snowflakes and roundels. Made from 60% regenerated cotton and 38% recycled polyester, it’s also available in children’s sizes.
Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament’s 2025 limited edition jumper features the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and Parliament buildings with Father Christmas and reindeer crossing a starry night sky. Made in Manchester from 100% acrylic, the Fair Isle design incorporates the Parliamentary portcullis on the sleeves alongside other Westminster symbols.
British Library
The British Library’s Ex Libris jumper features an olive-green and cream design incorporating the Ex Libris emblem – Latin for “From the library of” – alongside a stylised open book, snowflakes and festive patterns. Made from 100% acrylic, the jumper is knitted in Leicester by family-run business Jack Masters Ltd.
RAF Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum’s Christmas jumper features Santa flying a Spitfire, with roundels on both sleeves and “Tally Ho Ho Ho” across the shoulders. The 100% acrylic unisex design is exclusive to the museum.
Beamish Museum
Beamish Museum’s limited edition Christmas jumper features the museum’s Tiny Tim steam hammer, transport fleet, coal trucks and festive treats. Made in the UK from regenerated cotton and recycled polyester from PET bottles, the exclusive design uses 98% recycled materials.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum’s T. rex skull jumper features a yellow dinosaur skull on a burgundy background, with the museum’s Waterhouse Building on the back, surrounded by stars, ammonite shells and tyrannosaur tracks styled as elbow pads. Made in the UK from organic cotton, the exclusive design is also available in children’s and dog sizes. And the museum’s animatronic T. rex wears a giant version in the Dinosaurs Gallery.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery offers a Reindeer t-shirt – not quite a jumper, but festive nonetheless – featuring Yevonde’s 1938 tri-colour separation negative portrait. The organic cotton unisex design is printed using low-waste technology in a renewable energy-powered factory.
SS Great Britain
The SS Great Britain’s Christmas jumper features a nautical design with anchors, stovepipe hats and Brunel’s ship complete with a Christmas hat atop the rigging. The crew neck jumper is made from 100% cotton.
Haynes Motor Museum
The Haynes Museum’s Christmas jumper features a motoring-inspired Fair Isle design exclusive to the museum. Made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester, the unisex sweatshirt is printed in the UK.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s jumper blends locomotives with repeat patterns in a sleek design. Made from acrylic, the jumper is designed and produced in the north of England by a registered social enterprise committed to ethical and sustainable products.
The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts’ Christmas Fox oversized jumper is made from certified organic cotton and printed in the UK using low-waste technology. The 300g/m2 relaxed fit sweatshirt is produced in a renewable energy-powered factory and is available in black or evergreen.
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo’s Gentoo penguin Christmas jumper features the distinctive black and white bird on a navy background. Made from 80% cotton and 20% polyester in an exclusive design.
Royal Museums Greenwich
As a special mention, Royal Museums Greenwich’s submariner sweater isn’t strictly a Christmas design, but this roll-neck jumper has festive appeal for maritime enthusiasts. Made from 100% merino wool in Great Britain, the design was Admiralty-issue to the Royal Navy in both world wars and has featured in naval films including ‘Above Us the Waves’.
