Best UK Christmas light trails 2024: From Kew Gardens to Blenheim Palace
Here’s a bright idea, this Christmas why not try one of the UK’s best light trails? From the lanterns at Chester Zoo to the sparkling lights at Bute Park, these experiences will leave you beaming.
From our own experience, we at the RadioTimes.com can confirm that Christmas light trails are a truly magical way to spend the festive season. When you walk through those twinkling drops of light and the tranquil music begins to filter through the trees, it’s easy to feel as if you’ve left the real world and stepped into the pages of a fairy-tale.
Whether you’re with children, your partner, or by yourself, these after-dark experiences are a perfect way of getting into the Christmas spirit. And even if you’re not a Christmassy person, we defy you not to feel enchanted as you wander through tunnels of light and watch the colours dance around you.
So, as an early present, we’ve listed for you the best Christmas light trails across the UK. From County Durham to Cardiff to Kent, these experiences can be found all around the country, whether that be in a grand country house or your local park.
They’re also a relatively cheap evening out, with most ticket prices starting at £12 and not going higher than £22.50, so even if you’re looking to spend less this Christmas, you can still spend an evening surrounded by breath-taking beauty. See Tickets has a particularly good range of festive events on offer, including light trails at Wakehurst Place, Chester Zoo and Kew.
Now, get ready to say "ooh" at these top Christmas light trails.
Tis' (nearly) the season! So make sure you're prepared with the best Christmas experience gifts. Plus, you can check out the best Christmas shows in London and the best UK Christmas markets.
Best Christmas light trails at a glance:
- Christmas at Belton, from £15
- Glow Wild at Wakehurst Place, from £16.50
- Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo, from £12
- Windsor Great Park Illuminated, from £12.10
- Christmas at Bedgebury, from £13
- Christmas at Leeds Castle, from £18
- Christmas at the Botanics, from £22.50
- Christmas at Bute Park, from £19.95 for one adult and child
- Christmas at Kew, from £19.25
- Christmas at Kenwood, from £17.50
Best UK Christmas light trails to visit in 2024
Christmas at Kew
13th Nov 2024 – 5th Jan 2025
Christmas at Kew is a highlight of the UK’s festive calendar. Every year the light trail draws in thousands of guests who come to see the gardens’ over 12,000 trees lit up in stunning technicolour. This year, the trail is bringing in new installations like the Hive, which uses 1,000 LED lights and a musical score to recreate the patterns of bees, or LILI, a series of illuminated flowers that stand over three metres tall. Plus, there’s displays scattered along the lake, Temperate House, and Christmas Cathedral.
Buy Christmas at Kew tickets from £19.25 at See Tickets
Christmas at Bute Park
22nd Nov 2024 – 31st Dec 2025
Everyone in Cardiff, from the residents of Splott to the students of Cathays, has a fond memory linked to Bute Park. The gardens sit just outside the city centre and stretch on for 130-acres of fields, woodland and walking trails, and there’s no better time to see all of this than at Christmas. Now in its fourth year, Christmas at Bute Park is the biggest light trail in Wales and is packed full of gorgeous illuminations, fire effects and choreography.
Buy Christmas at Bute Park at See Tickets
Buy Christmas at Bute Park from £19.95 for one adult and child at Wowcher
Christmas at Bedgebury
15th Nov 2024 – 1st Jan 2025
If you’re stationed in Kent, you might want to try the light trail at Bedgebury National Pinetum and forest. With tunnels of light, twinkling birds and the “liquid sky” to wander through, you’re in for a beautiful evening surrounded by nature. Plus if it’s a bit nippy, you can walk around with one of the trail’s festive drinks or snack on a toasted marshmallow.
Buy Christmas at Bedgebury tickets from £13 at See Tickets
Christmas at Belton
22nd Nov 2024 – 1st January 2025
Head over to Belton House in Lincolnshire if you’re looking for a festive evening packed full of larger-than-life flowers, glowing lanterns, and maybe an early glimpse of Santa Claus. With all the colours of the rainbow on display, Christmas at Belton is a vibrant treat for children and adults alike.
Buy Christmas at Belton tickets from £15 at National Trust
Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo
15th Nov 2024 – 1st Jan 2025
Lions, dolphins, and even woolly mammoths line this captivating light trail at Chester Zoo. Now in its 12th year, the trail brings the magic of Christmas and the zoo’s diverse wildlife together into one spectacular evening. This year however, Chester Zoo is also partnering up with Sony Music to bring the world premiere of Lanterns and Light, which promises to be bigger and brighter and better than ever before.
Buy Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo from £12 at See Tickets
Windsor Great Park Illuminated
15th Nov 2024 – 4th January 2025
You’ll have a royally good evening wandering through the illuminations at Windsor Great Park. Located in Berkshire, just a short drive from Windsor Castle, the park comes alive each winter with dazzling displays and projections. As you stroll through the woodland, mythical creatures such as fireflies and dancing fairies will blaze the way, and as you pass the lake you’ll see flood-lit fountains and breathtaking patterns projected onto the surface.
Buy Windsor Great Park Illuminated from £12.10 at See Tickets
Christmas at Leeds Castle
22nd Nov 2024 – 31st Dec 2025
Christmas at Leeds Castle is returning for its second year and will give the perfect picture-taking opportunities for families and couples. With sparkling chandeliers, a laser garden a path of twinkling mirrored hearts, you’ll feel enchanted from start to finish.
Buy Christmas at Leeds Castle from £18 at Leeds Castle
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Christmas at Kenwood
1st Dec – 23rd Dec 2024
Head over to Hampstead Heath for the gorgeous Christmas at Kenwood light trail, featuring 13 brand new installations and a whole new look that includes surprises around every corner. Plus, festive cocktails, food and plenty of picture perfect moments.
Buy Christmas at Kenwood from £17.50 at English Heritage
Glow Wild at Wakehurst
28th November 2024 - 1st January 2025
Head over to Sussex this winter for the ultimate festive lantern trail. This trail is over a mile long and includes an iconic Christmas tree, flying owl and fiery dragon.
Once you've finished the trail, you can relax and unwind by shopping in the Gift Shop and Plant Centre, enjoying street food and roasting marshmallows by the fire.
Buy Glow Wild at Wakehurst tickets from £16.50 at See Tickets
Christmas at the Botanics
21st Nov - 30th Dec 2024
For our Scottish readers, this light trail at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is the perfect evening out. With a fabulous floral theme that includes seed heads floating into the sky, a lawn of crocus glowing in the dark, brightly coloured pampas and more, you'll come away feeling in awe at the garden's beauty.
Buy Christmas at the Botanics tickets from £22.50 at See Tickets
For more Christmas present ideas, check out the best murder mystery experiences and best steam train experiences.
