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50+ UK Christmas Light Trails 2025: The Most Complete Guide

Looking for things to do this Christmas? Christmas light trails are springing up all over the place in 2024. .

They’re a great alternative for a Christmas family day out if you’re not able to book a Santa’s Grotto.

I love Christmas light shows and am lucky to have some fantastic light trails near me, including Kew Gardens and Blenheim Palace.

These festive light experiences sell out fast to so make sure to have a look at this comprehensive list to find a Christmas light trail near you.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.

If you’d like to see more of our UK and Worldwide family adventures and travel tips, remember to follow us on Instagram.

Many of these winter light trails are taking place at English Heritage and National Trust properties. If you haven’t got an annual membership, we would highly recommend looking into getting one.

There are discounts for members to their Christmas light trails and just a few visits a year will cover the cost of the membership.

See here for English Heritage membership.

See here for National Trust membership.

Christmas Light Trails in the East

Belton House

Christmas at Belton – one of the loveliest National Trust Christmas lights.

When: Weekends from end of November to beginning of January.
Where: Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LW.
Tickets: Adult – £22.50, Child (3-16) – £16.00, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £74.00. Parking is extra.

Belton House Christmas light trails

Belton House Christmas lights | Photo Credit: National Trust

Thursford

Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light

When: mid-November to 24th December.
Where: Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21.
Tickets: £23.00 per person, Under 2 Free.

See other Christmas events in Norfolk this year for more festive days out as well as a complete guide to places in Norfolk to see Christmas lights.

Visiting Norfolk at any time of the year – see what’s on in Norfolk with kids.

Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light

Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light | Photo Credit: Thursford

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle Illuminated

When:  end of November to 23rd December.
Where: Lincoln Castle, Castle Square, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 3AA.
Tickets: £2.50 per person for entry to the gounds only. Illuminated walk tickets are: Adult – £10.50, Child £5.70 (Family £26.70).

Willows Activity Farm

Lumagica

When: Mid November to end of December.
Where: Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Rd, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF.
Tickets: From £20.00 per person booked in advance or £25.00 on the day (plus booking fee).

See also our guide to the Christmas events taking place in Hertfordshire this year.

Illuminated dove at Lumagica at Willows Activity Farm light trail in Hertfordshire.

Anglesey Abbey

Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights

When: mid-November to mid December.
Where: Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9EJ.
Tickets: Adult – £17.50, Child (5-17) – £14.00. Under 5 – FREE. Please see their website for latest prices and booking.

See also our post on Christmas events in Cambridgeshire for more festive days out.

Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights

Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights | Photo Credit: National Trust

Helmingham Hall

Helmingham Hall Illuminated Garden Trail

When: mid-November to mid-December 2025.
Where: Helmingham Hall, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 6EF.
Tickets: Adult – from £120.00, Child (3-16) – from £10.00, Under 3 – Free. Family with 2 adults and 2 children – from £50.00.

See other Christmas events in Suffolk for more ideas for festive days out in Suffolk.

Helmingham Hall Gardens Illuminated Garden Trail 2021

Audley End House & Gardens

Enchanted Audley End – see also Christmas events in Essex for more Christmas light trails in Essex.

When: 2025 dates TBC (see also Santa Trains running at Audley End).
Where: Audley End House, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF.
Tickets: Adult – from £14.00, Child – from £9.50. Under 5 – FREE.

Wimpole Estate

Christmas at Wimpole Estate

When: end of November to beginning of January.
Where: Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW.
Tickets: from £24.00 per adult / £18.00 per child. Under 3 – FREE. Parking extra.

Hatfield Park

Christmas at Hatfield Park

When: End of November to end of December 2025. Dates TBC.
Where: Hatfield Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5HX.
Tickets: £30.00 per adult with parking / £17.00 per child. Under 3 – FREE. £84.00 per family. Available on See Tickets.

Christmas Light Trails in the South East

This is a pick of some of the best Christmas light trails near London..

Blenheim Palace

Blemheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail

When:  mid November to beginning of January.
Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP.
Tickets: Adult – £25.00 (or £35.00 with parking), Child (3-16) – £18.00, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £84.00 with parking.

See here for our review of Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail

Waddesdon Manor (National Trust)

Waddesdon Manor Winter Light Trail

When: mid November to beginning of January (see also the Christmas at Waddesdon.
Where: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH.
Tickets: (NT Members): Adult £11.50, Child (5-17) £5.00, Under 5 Free. (Non-NT Members): Adult £22.00, Child (5-17) £10.00, Under 5 Free. Parking charges apply.

Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest

Christmas at Bedgebury

When: mid November to beginning of January.
Where: Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest, Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 2SJ.
Tickets: Adult – £20.00 (or £28.00 with parking), Child (3-16) – £13.50, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £72.00 with parking.

If you’re looking for other things to do in the area, don’t miss Rye, one of the most beautiful small towns in England.

There are also plenty of other things to do in Kent, including visiting nearby Leeds Castle, one of the best castles in Kent and Broadstairs – a beautiful British beach town.

Christmas at Bedgebury

Christmas at Bedgebury | Photo Credit: ChristmasatBedgebury

Hever Castle

Twilight Christmas at Hever Castle – one of the most impressive Christmas light shows at one of the most impressive castles in Kent! See also our guide to the Christmas events in Kent this year for more festive days out.

When: end of November to beginning of January.
Where: Hever Castle, Hever Road, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG.
Tickets: Adult – £19.00, Child (5-17) – £11.50, Under 5 – Free. See their website for most up to date prices.

RHS Wisley

Glow at RHS Wisley

When: end of November to end of December.
Where: RHS Wisley, Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB.
Tickets: (Members): Adult – From £9.95, Child (5-16) – From £4.95, Under 5 – Free. (Non-Members): Adult – From £17.95, Child (5-16) – From £11.95, Under 5 – Free. Please see their website for up to date prices.

See here for more things to do at Christmas in Surrey.

Glow Trail at RHS Wisley

Glow Trail at RHS Wisley | Photo Credit: RHS Wisley

Hylands Estate

Enlightened

When: end of November to beginning of January.
Where: The Pleasure Gardens, Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8FS.
Tickets: Adult – from £12.50, Child (4-15) – from £9.00. Please see their website for up to date prices.

See also Christmas events in Essex.

Christmas Light Trails in the South

Wakehurst

Glow Wild 2024

When: end of  November to 1st January 2026.
Where: Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN.
Tickets: Adult – £17.00, Child (4-16) – £11.00, Under 4 – Free. Please see their website for up to date prices.

See here for more Christmas events in Sussex.

Wakehurst Glow Wild

Wakehurst Glow Wild | Photo Credit John White

Kingston Lacy (National Trust)

Christmas at Kingston Lacy 2024

When: early December to 24th December.
Where: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA.
Tickets: (NT Members): Adult – £19.50, Child (2-18) – £14.50, Under 2 – Free. (Non-NT Members): Adult £27.50 (with parking), Child £14.50. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Christmas Light Trails in the South West

Stourhead

Christmas at Stourhead

When: end of November -to beginning of January.
Where: Stourhead, Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6QF.
Tickets: (excluding parking) Adult non-members – £22.50, Child (3-16) – £16.00, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £74.00. See their website for latest prices.

Longleat

Longleat Land of Light

When: beginning of November to beginning of January.
Where: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW.
Tickets: Adult – £39.50, Child (3-15) – £29.95, Under 2 Free. See their website for latest ticket prices.

Westonbirt Arboretum

Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas

When: Weekends from end of November to end of December.
Where: Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS.
Tickets: Adult – £18.00, Child (5-18) – £11.00, Under 5 Free. Parking £8.00.

Westonbirt Christmas Illuminated Light Trail

Westonbirt Christmas Illuminated Light Trail | Photo Credit: Forestry England

Bath on Ice

Glow in the Dark Mini Golf

When: mid-November to beginning of January.
Where: Royal Pavillion, Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NR.
Tickets: Adult – £7.75, Child – £6.50.

See also our guide to Christmas events in Bath.

Shipwreck Treasure Museum

Tunnel of Lights

When: Throughout December.
Where: Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Quay Road, Charlestown, St. Austell, Cornwall, PL25 3NJ.
Tickets: From £10.00 (adults) and from £8.00 (5-17 yrs).

Eden Project

Christmas at the Eden Project

When: TBC.
Where: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.
Tickets: TBC.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Heligan Night Garden

When: mid-November to beginning of January.
Where: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St.Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6EN.
Tickets: From £15.50 (adult) and £8.00 (child).

Christmas Light Trails in the Midlands

Wollaton Hall

Christmas at Wollaton Hall

When: Beginning of December to beginning of January.
Where: Wollaton Hall Natural History Museum, Wollaton Park, Wollaton, Nottingham, NG8 2AE.
Tickets: Adult – from £21.45, Child (3-16) – from £15.40, Under 3 – Free. Family of 4 – from £67.32. All prices include booking fee.

Christmas at Wollaton

Christmas at Wollaton | Photo credit: Wollaton Hall

Malvern Winter Glow

Illuminated Light Trail

When: end of November to end of December.
Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW.
Tickets: Adult – £22.00 (£19.80 online), Child (3-16) – £12.00 (£10.80 online), Under 3 – Free.

Coombe Abbey

Luminate Coombe Abbey

When: end of  November to end of December.
Where: Coombe Abbey, Brinklow Rd, Binley, Coventry. CV3 2AB.
Tickets: Adult – from £18.00, Child (3-15) – from £13.00 and Under 3 – Free. Family of 4 – from £59.00.

Warwick Castle

Light Trail

When: end of November to beginning of January.
Where: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4QU.
Tickets: From £15.50 per person (not including castle entrance).

See also Santa Sleepovers at Warwick Castle and Christmas events at the Merlin attractions in the UK.

Lightopia Alton Towers

Lightopia Festival

When: end of November to beginning of January.
Where: Alton Towers, Farley Ln, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB.
Tickets: From £15.00 per person and Under 3 – Free. Parking – £6.00.

Christmas Light Trails in the North East

Castle Howard

Into the Woods: A Fairytale Christmas

When: mid-November to beginning of January.
Where: Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7DA.
Tickets: Adult – From £27.00, Child (3-16) – From £13.50, Under 3 – Free.

Castle Howard Illuminated Christmas

Castle Howard Illuminated Christmas | Photo Credit: Castle Howard

Temple Newsam

Christmas at Temple Newsam

When: TBC.
Where: Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds, LS15 0AE.
Tickets: (NT Members): Adult £16.00 (£22.00 with parking), Child (3-16) £12.00, Under 3 Free.

Gibside Hall (National Trust)

Ignite at Gibside – a beautiful winter lights festival

When: TBC.
Where: Gibside Hall, Near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE16 6BG.
Tickets: (NT Members): Adult £19.50, Child (5-17) £14.00, Under 5 Free. (Non-NT Members): Adult £27.50 (includes parking), Child (5-17) £14.00, Under 5 Free.

Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Alice in Winterland

When: TBC.
Where: Lightwater Valley Theme Park, North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3HT.
Tickets: £12.50 per person, Under 2 – Free.

Stockeld Park

Winter Illuminations

Lovely Christmas lights in Yorkshire in their award-winning enchanted forest.

When: mid-November to beginning of January.
Where: Stockeld Park, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, LS22 4AN.
Tickets: £15.00 per person, Under 2 – Free.

Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Christmas Light Trails in the North West

Dunham Massey (National Trust)

Dunham Massey Illuminated Light Trail

When: mid November to beginning of January.
Where: Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4SJ.
Tickets: Non-Member prices: Adult – £21.00 (or £29.00 with parking), Child (3-16) – £13.50, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £74.00 with parking.

Dunham Massey Illuminated Light Trail

Dunham Massey Illuminated Light Trail

Lightopia

Lightopia Festival

When: TBC.
Where: Heaton Park, Sheepfoot Lane, Manchester, M25 0BP.
Tickets: Adult from £17.50, Child (3-16) from £11.00 and Under 2 – Free. Parking – £5.00.

Lightopia

Lightopia | Photo Credit: Lightopia Festival

Chester Zoo

The Lanterns at Chester Zoo

When: mid November to beginning of January.
Where: Chester Zoo, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1EU.
Tickets: Adult from £13.00, Child from £11.00 and Under 2 – Free.

Bolesworth Castle

Christmas Lights Trail

When: Throughout December.
Where: Bolesworth Castle, Bolesworth Rd, Tattenhall, Chester CH3 9HQ.
Tickets: Adult from £20.37, Child (3-12) from £13.40 and Under 2 – Free.

Delamere Forest

Christmas at Delamere Forest

When: 2025 dates TBC.
Where: Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2HZ.
Tickets: Adult from £19.50 (£27.50 with parking), Child (3-16) from £13.50 and Under 2 – Free.

The Lanterns Chester Zoo

The Lanterns Chester Zoo

Christmas Light Trails in London

Kew Gardens

Christmas at Kew

When: mid November to beginning of January.
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE.
Tickets: Adult – £21.50 to £26.50, Child (4-16) – £14.00 to £14.50, Under 4 – Free. Family of 4 – £65.00. See their website for up to date prices.

Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew | Photo Credit: Kew Gardens

Crystal Palace

Lightopia

When: TBC.
Where: Crystal Palace Park, London, SE19 2GA.
Tickets: From £19.50 per adult and £13.00 per child (3 – 15).

London Wetland Centre

Illuminature – explore the wonder of wildlife after dark.

When: TBC.
Where: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13 9WT.
Tickets: Adult – £18.50. Child (4 – 16) – £14.50. Family (2A & 2C) – £60.00.

Illuminated otter on the Christmas light trail at the London Wetland Centre.

Kenwood House

Christmas at Kenwood

When: TBC for 2025.
Where: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, London, NW3 7JR.
Tickets: Adult from £29.50, Child from £22.50 and Under 3 – Free.

Syon Park

Enchanted Woodland

When: TBC for 2025.
Where: Syon House, Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8JF.
Tickets: Adult from £10.00, Child from £7.50 and Under 2 – Free.

Eltham Palace

Enchanted Eltham Palace

When: Select dates through December.
Where: Eltham Palace, Court Yard, London, SE9 5QE.
Tickets: Adult – from £14.00. Child – from £9.50.

In the event that some of these light trails are cancelled this year, you could also pop into London to see the London Christmas lights (which are worth seeing anyway).

Lightopia

Lightopia Festival

When: TBC for 2025.
Where: Crystal Palace Park.
Tickets: Adult from £19.50, Child (3-16) from £13.00 and Under 2 – Free. Parking – £10.00.

Canary Wharf

Winter Lights Canary Wharf

When: mid to end of January.
Where: Canary Wharf, London, E14.
Tickets: Free.

Wembley Park

Wembley Park Winterfest

When: TBC.
Where: Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FA.
Tickets: Free.

Christmas Light Trails in Scotland

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Christmas at the Botanics

When: Mid-November to end of December.
Where: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ
Tickets:  Adult – £21.50, Child – £15.00 and Under 3 – Free. Family of 4 – £70.00.

Christmas at the Botanics

Christmas at the Botanics | Photo Credit: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

Castle of Light

When: Weekends from end of November to beginning of January.
Where: Edinburgh Castle, The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG.
Tickets: Adult from £19.80 and child (7 – 15) from £11.00.

Faskally Woods

The Enchanted Forest

When: beginning of October to beginning of November.
Where: Faskally Wood, 3 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5BX.
Tickets: Adult from £24.00 and child (3 – 15) from £13.50.

Illuminight

Illuminight | Photo Credit: Lloyd Smith

Christmas Light Trails in Wales

Margam Country Park

Luminate Wales

When: 21st November to 31st December 2024.
Where: Margam Country Park, Neath, Port Talbot, South Wales, SA13 2TJ.
Tickets:Adult – from £18.00, Child (3-15) – from £13.00 and Under 3 – Free. Family of 4 – from £59.00.

Christmas Light Trails in Northern Ireland

Antrim Castle Gardens

Enchanted Winter Garden

When: end of  November to end of December.
Where: Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim, BT41 4LH.
Tickets: Adult – from £6.00, Child – from £4.00. Under 2 – FREE.

These are all official light trails in the UK but there are also lots of unofficial ones. Have you driven around your local area and seen some incredible private light displays?

There’s a great one on Beech Road in St Albans which raises money for charity. It is one of the best places in Hertfordshire at Christmas to see Christmas lights. It’s definitely worth finding out if there is one similar close to you.

Flashpacking Family.

Hi! We’re Ed, Jacs, Ernie and George. We’re passionate about adventurous family travel, and by sharing our detailed itineraries, travel tips and inspiration, we hope to provide you with the confidence to leap into the world of adventurous travel with kids too.



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