10 Best Christmas Light Trails in the UK
The festive season is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about Christmas activities that the whole family will enjoy. One of our favourite ways to spend time outside is by visiting a light trail.
In the UK we’re spoilt for choice, with incredible trails taking place all over the country, creating magical memories for children and grown-ups of all ages. Read on for our round up of the best Christmas light trails the UK has to offer.
1) Christmas at Kew, London
When: 15 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
How much: adults from £22.50, children from £15
Enjoy the annual after-dark festivities at Kew Gardens with family and friends, as you discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour. Journey through the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, spot larger-than-life illuminations and say hello to Father Christmas along the way.
2) Windsor Great Park Illuminated, Windsor
When: 16 November 2023 – 2 January 2024
How much: adults from £22, children from £14
Opening on Thursday 16 November, this very special light trail returns to light up the festive season brighter, better and more dazzling than ever with a brand new trail design and spectacularly re-imagined installations. Windsor Great Park Illuminated promises to be the perfect evening out where long-lasting festive memories will be made.
3) Christmas at Kenwood, London
When: 1 December 2023 – 1 January 2024
How much: adults from £25.50, children from £19.25
Christmas at Kenwood is back with a brand new light trail for 2023, bringing colour, lights and interactive play to Kenwood this December as you immerse yourself in a world of seasonal sparkle and festive cheer. With 13 brand new installations and a whole new look, this interactive light trail invites you to expect the unexpected and allow the Christmas spirit take over as you take a stroll through the grounds of Kenwood.
4) Christmas at Belton, Lincolnshire
When: 24 November 2023 – 1 January 2024
How much: adults from £15, children from £10
Look forward to some time together with loved ones, as you discover over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds filling the air with festive fun. Wander beneath glistening trees drenched in colour and explore even more spectacular illuminations and sparkling tunnels of light. For a moment of reflection pause at mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden and don’t forget to keep an eye out for Father Christmas along the way.
5) Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
When: 17 November 2023 – 1 January 2024
How much: adults from £19.50, children from £14.50
Firmly positioned as one of the highlights of the UK festive calendar, wander the Palace’s picture-perfect gardens filled with Christmas cheer as over a million lights and seasonal sounds fill the air. Look forward to some time together with family and friends as you discover glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour.
6) RHS Glow at Wisley, Surrey
When: 24 November 2023 – 2 January 2024
How much: adults from £19.95, children from £12.95
Wander our new enchanting trail around the garden and see some of Wisley’s iconic sights in a new and dazzling light. Go past the Jellicoe Canal and old Laboratory, through Wisteria Walk and the Glasshouse, and experience a magical spectacle of lights with music and fire to add to the drama. This year, the garden will glow even brighter with more light, fire and fountain displays than ever before.
7) Longleat Festival of Light, Wiltshire
When: 11 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
How much: adults from £39.95, children from £29.95
Put your family at the centre of the most magical Christmas story of them all this year, as The Festival of Light returns, with more life-size lanterns than ever before and an iconic Winter Safari. Discover brand-new, show-stopping scenes from treasured tales, featuring The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis; Cinderella; Peter Pan; The Wizard of Oz; Winnie the Pooh and many more.
8) Luminate Shugborough, Staffordshire
When: 1 December 2023 – 24 December 2023
How much: adults from £16.75, children from £12.25
A spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, join us on our enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the stunning, historic grounds of Shugborough Estate. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music.
9) Christmas at The Botanics, Edinburgh
When: 16 November 2023 – 30 December 2023
How much: adults from £19, children from £13.50
Firmly established as unmissable within Scotland’s winter calendar, over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds will fill the air with festive fun at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Look forward to some time together with friends and family as you discover sparkling tunnels of light and dancing lakeside reflections, then walk under giant baubles and beneath glistening trees drenched in jewel-like colour.
10) Sandringham Estate Winter Light Trail, Norfolk
When: 11 November 2023 – 24 December 2023
How much: adults from £18.25, children from £13.25
Nestled deep within Sandringham Estate, awaits a spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses. As darkness descends, join us on our enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the Royal Parkland at Sandringham. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music.