50+ UK Christmas Light Trails 2023: The Most Complete Guide
Looking for things to do this Christmas? Christmas light trails are springing up all over the place in 2023. Being an outdoor event, they’re the ideal place to be able to enjoy the sparkle of Christmas and socially distance.
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.
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*Please check the current Government guidelines before visiting. More details can be found on the websites for each light trail. Christmas light trails 2023 dates will be updated when they are released*
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 24th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Where: Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LW.
Tickets: Adult – £21.00 (or £29.50 with parking), Child (3-16) – £15.00, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £79.00 with parking.
Belton House Christmas lights | Photo Credit: National Trust
Thursford
Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light
When: 19th November to 28th December 2022.
Where: Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21.
Tickets: £20.00 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.
Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light | Photo Credit: Thursford
Lincoln Castle
When: 1st to 10th December 2022
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
When: 16th November to 30th December 2022
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.
Anglesey Abbey
When: 9th – 21st December 2022.
Where: Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9EJ.
Tickets: Adult – £17.50, Child (5-17) – £14.00. Under 5 – FREE.
See also our post on Christmas events in Cambridgeshire for more festive days out.
Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights | Photo Credit: National Trust
Helmingham Hall
Helmingham Hall Illuminated Garden Trail
When: 18th November – 18th December 2022.
Where: Helmingham Hall, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 6EF.
Tickets: Adult – from £13.00, Child (3-16) – from £8.00, Under 3 – Free. Family with 2 adults and 2 children – from £34.00.
See other Christmas events in Suffolk for more ideas for festive days out in Suffolk.
Audley End House & Gardens
Enchanted Audley End – see also Christmas events in Essex for more Christmas light trails in Essex.
When: Select dates from 2nd to 30th December 2022 (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
When: 25th November to 1st January 2023.
Where: Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW.
Tickets: £27.00 per adult with parking / £14.50 per child. Under 3 – FREE. £72.00 per family.
Hatfield Park
When: 25th November to 31st December 2022.
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.
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: 18th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
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.
Waddesdon Manor (National Trust)
Waddesdon Manor Winter Light Trail
When: 12th November 2022 to 22nd January 2023 (see also the Christmas at Waddesdon from 12th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023).
Where: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH.
Tickets: (NT Members): Adult £7.50, Child (5-17) £3.75, Under 5 Free. (Non-NT Members): Adult £19.50, Child (5-17) £9.75, Under 5 Free. Parking charges apply.
Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest
When: 18th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
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 | 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: 20th November to 3rd January 2023.
Where: Hever Castle, Hever Road, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG.
Tickets: Adult – £19.00, Child (5-17) – £11.50, Under 5 – Free.
RHS Wisley
When: 17th November 2022 to 8th January 2023.
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.
See here for mroe things to do at Christmas in Surrey.
Glow Trail at RHS Wisley | Photo Credit: RHS Wisley
Hylands Estate
When: 24th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Where: The Pleasure Gardens, Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8FS.
Tickets: Adult – from £16.00, Child (4-15) – from £12.00. Family of 4 – £55.00.
See also Christmas events in Essex.
Christmas Light Trails in the South
Wakehurst
When: 24th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Where: Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN.
Tickets: Adult – £17.00, Child (4-16) – £11.00, Under 4 – Free.
See here for more Christmas events in Sussex.
Wakehurst Glow Wild | Photo Credit John White
Kingston Lacy (National Trust)
Christmas at Kingston Lacy 2023
When: 2nd to 4th December and 7th December to 24th December 2023.
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.
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
When: Select dates from 24th November to 21st December 2022.
Where: Leonardslee, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PR.
Tickets: Adult – £18.00, Child (2-15) – £10.00, Under 2 – Free.
Christmas Light Trails in the South West
Stourhead
When: 25th November 2022 – 1st January 2023.
Where: Stourhead, Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6QF.
Tickets: Adult non-members – £21.50 (or £29.50 with parking), Child (3-16) – £15.00, Under 2 – Free. Family of 4 – £79.00 with parking.
Longleat
When: 5th November 2022 to 8th January 2023.
Where: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW.
Tickets: Adult – £39.50, Child (3-15) – £29.95, Under 2 Free.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas
When: Weekends from 25th November to 21st December 2022.
Where: Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS.
Tickets: Adult – £19.00, Child (5-18) – £11.00, Under 5 Free.
Westonbirt Christmas Illuminated Light Trail | Photo Credit: Forestry England
Bath on Ice
When: November to January 2023.
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
When: 3rd December to 8th January 2023.
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
When: TBC.
Where: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.
Tickets: TBC.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
When: 18th November to 2nd January 2023.
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
When: 2nd December 2022 – 1st January 2023.
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 | Photo credit: Wollaton Hall
Himley Hall & Park
When: 14th to 18th December 2022 the Christmas lights will be replaced by the Christmas Portal.
Where: Himley Hall & Park, Himley, Dudley, West Midlands, DY3 4DF.
Tickets: TBC.
Malvern Winter Glow
When: 25th November 2022 – 2nd January 2023.
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
When: 18th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Where: Coombe Abbey, Brinklow Rd, Binley, Coventry. CV3 2AB.
Tickets: Adult – from £15.00, Child (3-15) – from £11.00 and Under 3 – Free. Family of 4 – from £48.00.
Warwick Castle
When: 26th November to 2nd January 2023.
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
When: 24th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
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: 12th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
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 | Photo Credit: Castle Howard
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: 1st December 2022 to 1st January 2023.
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
When: TBC.
Where: Lightwater Valley Theme Park, North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3HT.
Tickets: £12.50 per person, Under 2 – Free.
Stockeld Park
When: 20th November 2022 to 4th January 2023.
Where: Stockeld Park, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, LS22 4AN.
Tickets: £15.00 per person, Under 2 – Free.
Lightwater Valley Theme Park
Christmas Light Trails in the North West
Dunham Massey (National Trust)
Dunham Massey Illuminated Light Trail
When: From 18th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
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
Lightopia
When: 24th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
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 | Photo Credit: Lightopia Festival
Chester Zoo
When: 11th November to 23rd December 2023.
Where: Chester Zoo, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1EU.
Tickets: Adult from £13.00, Child from £11.00 and Under 2 – Free.
Bolesworth Castle
When: 26th November to 24th December 2021.
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
When: 25th November to 31st December 2022.
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
Christmas Light Trails in London
Kew Gardens
When: 16th November 2022 to 8th January 2023.
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.
Christmas at Kew | Photo Credit: Kew Gardens
Crystal Palace
When: 17th November to 2nd January 2023.
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: 18th November to 8th January 2023.
Where: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13 9WT.
Tickets: Adult – £18.50. Child (4 – 16) – £14.50. Family (2A & 2C) – £60.00.
Kenwood House
When: 2nd December 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Where: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, London, NW3 7JR.
Tickets: Adult from £29.50, Child from £22.50 and Under 3 – Free.
Syon Park
When: Weekends through November 2022.
Where: Syon House, Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8JF.
Tickets: Adult from £10.00, Child from £7.50 and Under 2 – Free.
Eltham Palace
When: Select dates through December. See here for details.
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
When: 17th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Where: Crystal Palace Park.
Tickets: Adult from £19.50, Child (3-16) from £13.00 and Under 2 – Free. Parking – £10.00.
Canary Wharf
When: 18th January to 28th January 2023.
Where: Canary Wharf, London, E14.
Tickets: Free.
Wembley Park
When: TBC.
Where: Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FA.
Tickets: Free.
Christmas Light Trails in Scotland
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
When: 17th November – 30th December 2022.
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 | Photo Credit: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Faskally Woods
When: 29th September to 30th October 2022.
Where: Faskally Wood, 3 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5BX.
Tickets: Adult from £24.00 and child (3 – 15) from £13.50.
Illuminight | Photo Credit: Lloyd Smith
Christmas Light Trails in Wales
Margam Country Park
When: 17th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Where: Margam Country Park, Neath, Port Talbot, South Wales, SA13 2TJ.
Tickets: Adult – from £15.00, Child (3-15) – from £11.00 and Under 3 – Free. Family of 4 – from £48.00.
Christmas Light Trails in Northern Ireland
Antrim Castle Gardens
When: 26th November to 20th December 2022.
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 and since there are no light trails in Hertfordshire, this 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.
