This year's best Christmas light trails including an illuminated underground railway
Christmas is on the horizon and top UK attractions are lighting the way, with Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Luminate at Sandringham Estate and RHS Garden Rosemoor among the standouts
by Victoria Lissaman · The MirrorThere’s nothing like a dark winter sky full of sparkle to get you in the festive spirit. Here’s our guide to all the best Christmas lights and trails from around the country.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Oxfordshire, November 15 – January 1
The ultimate Christmas experience returns to Blenheim with a new addition, The Great Skate ice rink in the Great Court. Visitors can also enjoy the illuminated trails in the gardens and Neverland in the Palace, an enchanting new experience based on JM Barrie’s Peter Pan. Follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles, and wander through a moonlit London skyline.
Illuminated Trail, adults £31.50, children £22, family £104. Neverland, adults £38, children £22, family £99. Combined ticket, adults £59.50, children £38, family £171. Great Skate, adults £20, children £15, family£60.
Luminate at Sandringham Estate
Norfolk, November 21 – December 24
A myriad illuminated roses stretching across the vista will be a new feature to this royal residence this year, as well as a dazzling display featuring fairies, light batons and the ever-popular wishing wall. Dog-friendly days are December 2 and 9. Adults from £15, children £10, family £45.
luminate.live
Christmas at Westonbirt
Gloucestershire, November 29 - December 31
A brand-new festive experience at The National Arboretum with sparkling trees from all over the globe.
Find luminous birds balanced on branches, neon trees and twinkly tunnels. Adults from £18, children £12, family £57.
forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/christmas
Zipmas, Zip World Llechwedd
North Wales, November 22 – December 24
Boarding underground on the cable railway, guests pass through a light maze, Santa’s workshop, and meet Santa in his grotto for a gift and a bauble. Free hot chocolate and mince pies. Adults from £20, children £23.
RHS Garden Rosemoor
North Devon, dates between November 15 – December 28
Be immersed in light and sound with an updated route and bright new features. The mesmerising trail weaves through the Bicentennial Arboretum for the first time. Adults £17.10, children£9.10.
RHS Garden Wisley
Surrey, dates between November 22 – January 5
RHS Glow will return to the RHS flagship garden with a new trail with a pontoon across the Glass House Lake, the Seven Acres Pond and twinkles in the tropical section of the Glasshouse. Adults £22.80, children£14.80.
Starry Nights at Beecraigs Country Park
West Lothian, December 6-23
For the first time, meander through a dramatically lit forest, gather around the campfire and enjoy the Festive Food Village and carol performances with cocktails. Open Fridays to Sundays during the run, plus December 19 and 23. Adults £18, children £12.50, Santa’s grotto £9.
AGLOW at Auckland Palace
County Durham, November 22 – December 31
Glide through 22 glittering installations across picturesque parkland. Enjoy five new installations include the River of Light plus there’s an upgraded Santa’s Village with Santa’s Workshop, Post Office and the Santa show. Adults £21.75, children £14.75, family £68.
aucklandaglow.org
Lights at Leeds Castle
Kent, November 22 – January 1
The fairytale castle will sparkle brighter than ever, with a series of new illuminated artworks. Guests can discover larger-than-life glowing reeds, colour-changing lilies shimmering on the lake and light tunnels.
Adults from £22.50, children £16, family £74.
Ashridge House Illuminated
Hertfordshire, November 29 – January 1
Set among 190 acres of Grade II listed gardens, the trail dazzles with 20 “key moments” and many new installations partially powered by green renewable energy. Wednesdays and Thursdays are dog-friendly.
Adults from £23, children £13.80.
Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh, November21 - December 30
Discover flickering candles floating in the night, a sparkling flock of jolly robins and a dazzling sea of light. Adults from £19, children £13.50, family £62.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
Salford, dates between November 27 and December 30. A new route for 2024, with light-up hedgehogs, fairy lights, and interactive displays. Adults, £17.05, children £9.10.
Christmas at The Gruffalo Discovery Land
Twycross Zoo, Atherstone, November 16 – December 24
The magic of Christmas meets The Gruffalo as the zoo’s attraction transforms into a festive woodland with twinkling trails where you can meet the Gruffalo. Free Gruffalo toy for every child. Adults £38, children £32, with free returns for a year.
Starry Nights at Dean Castle
Kilmarnock, December 6-23
Walk Scotland’s longest Starry Tunnel, see the Fenwick Fairies, mischievous Grinch, Candy Cane Lane, Singing Trees and a dizzying Snowball Blizzard. Open Fridays to Sundays for the run, plus December 19 and 23. Adults £17, children £11.50, grotto £9.
Margam Country Park Winter Light Trail
Wales, November 21 – December 31
As darkness descends, join the enchanting mile-long journey through the historic gardens and castle with interactive elements, set to music.
Adults £15, children £10, family £45.
luminate.live
Warwick Castle Lights Trail
November 23 – January 5
As dusk settles over Warwickshire, enjoy the mesmerising illuminations with 40 breathtaking light displays and projections. Part of its “Christmas at the Castle” event, activities include an open-air ice rink and storytelling. Tickets from £22.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
North Yorkshire, dates between November 21 – December 28
Take the enchanting trail festooned with interactive installations across the beautiful Harrogate landscape for a trip to remember. Warm up with a hot drink at Betty’s Teahouse and enjoy seasonal treats in the Harrogate Arms. Adults £18.15, children £9.65.
The English Riviera’s Bay of Lights
November 29 – January 2
Taking place on the seafronts stretching from Torquay to Paignton and Brixham, each town hosts its own dazzlingevents. For the Train of Lights, passengers on Dartmouth Steam Railway are propelled through the Greenway tunnel to a glowing forest before being greeted by the illuminations of Dartmouth reflected on the RiverDart.
At the Illumination Trail in Torquay, you can see Holly the seven-foot light-up octopus, a Christmas comet and take a walk through the Abbey Gardens light tunnel. Meanwhile, SantaIn The Caves is an interactive panto throughout the illuminated Kents Cavern prehistoric caves and A Very Miniature Christmas is at Babbacombe Model Village with gorgeous festive scenes and illuminations.
Christmas at Bute Park
Cardiff, November 22 – December 31
It’s back with original audio compositions, dynamic choreography and illuminations set across 15 distinct zones. New for 2024 is Mycelium Network, where glowing strands pulsate with colour. Adults from £23.50, children £16.50.
Glow Wild at Wakehurst
Sussex, November 28 – January 1
More than 1,000 hand-crafted lanterns and art installations bring trees and the vital role they play on our planet to dazzling life as darkness falls. Adults £19.50, children £13.
Christmas at Dunham Massey
Cheshire, November15 – January 1
The festive trail returns with new illuminations including colour-changing twinkles, a star tunnel and lights across the lake. Adults from £19, children £12.50, family £60.