50 Enchanting UK Winter Light Trails To Visit This Christmas

Form a young age I have associated Christmas with twinkling lights and so when I first heard about winter light trails, I had to go and see what they were all about.

I am lucky to have some gorgeous Christmas light trails near me. I have been to quite a few of these Christmas light shows over the years now and I never get bored of them.

Each one offers something slightly different and it is a magical experience for anyone of any age.

Christmas light trails have become so popular that there are more and more appearing each year. There is bound to be a Christmas light show near you.

This post gives you a selection of the best UK winter light trails. I will update this post every so often as more 2024 winter light trails are confirmed.

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

Trees illuminated in green and blue with an illuminated bridge.

Many of these winter light trails in the UK 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. Whilst you may not get in completely free, you will pay a reduced price. These savings add up for a family and will cover a large part of the membership cost.

See here for English Heritage membership.

See here for National Trust membership.

Winter Light Trails in London

There are a good selection of Christmas light trails in London and they’re one of our favourite festive things to do with kids in London.

See also days out for families in London.

Kew Gardens

Probably one of the first and almost certainly one of the most well-known winter light shows in the country is the one at Kew Gardens. Seeing the iconic Palm House light up is a sight to behold.

Christmas at Kew

Dates: 13th November 2024 to 5th January 2025.
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE.
Tickets: Adults (non-members) from £22.50. Under 4 – Free. See their website for accurate prices.

Kenwood House

Christmas at Kenwood – enjoy a fabulous festive light trail through the gardens of Kenwood House in North London.

Dates: beginning of December 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, London, NW3 7JR.
Tickets: Adult from £29.50, Child from £22.50 and Under 3 – Free.

This is also one of the best places to see Santa in London.

Syon Park

Enchanted Woodland

Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Address: 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 – enjoy these winter lights at this stunning English Heritage property in South London.

Dates: Select dates through December. See here for details.
Address: Eltham Palace, Court Yard, London, SE9 5QE.
Tickets: Adult – from £14.00. Child – from £9.50.

Canary Wharf

Winter Lights Canary Wharf (this and Wembley Park one of the few free christmas light trails).

Dates: 17th January to 27th January 2025.
Address: Canary Wharf, London, E14.
Tickets: Free.

Wembley Park

Wembley Park Winterfest

Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Address: Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0FA.
Tickets: Free.

You might also like these other free activities in London for kids.

London Wetland Centre

Illuminature – explore the wonder of wildlife after dark.

Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Address: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13 9WT.
Tickets: Adult – £18.50. Child (4 – 16) – £14.50. Family (2A & 2C) – £60.00.

Crystal Palace

Lightopia

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

Tree illuminated blue with white illuminated flowers around its base at a winter light trail in the UK.

Winter Light Trails in the East

Belton House

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

Dates: Weekends from 22nd November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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.

Thursford

Thursford Enchanted Journey of Light

Dates: mid-November to 24th December 2024.
Address: 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. You may also be interested so see what are our favourite things to do in Norfolk with kids.

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle Illuminated

Dates: Early December 2024. Dates TBC.
Address: 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

Dates: Mid November to end of December 2024.
Address: 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).

Based in St Albans, Willows Farm is one of our favourite day trips from London with kids.

Anglesey Abbey

Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights

Dates: mid-November – 10th December 2024.
Address: 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.

Illuminated rhino at the Thursford Christmas light show in Norfolk.

Helmingham Hall

Helmingham Hall Illuminated Garden Trail

Dates: mid-November to mid-December 2024.
Address: 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.

Audley End House & Gardens

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

Dates: 2024 dates TBC (see also Santa Trains running at Audley End).
Address: 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

Dates: 22nd November to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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

Dates: End of November to end of December 2024. Dates TBC.
Address: 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.

Hylands Estate

Enlightened

Dates: 29th November 2024 to 4th January 2025.
Address: 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.

Markshall Estate

Enlightened

Dates: 6th to 24th December 2024.
Address: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1TG.
Tickets: Adult – from £18.50, Child (3-15) – from £12.50. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Colchester Castle Park

Enlightened

Dates: 6th to 24th December 2024.
Address: Colchester Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG.
Tickets: Adult – from £18.50, Child (3-15) – from £12.50. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Entrance to the Lumagica winter light trail at Willows Farm in St Albans.

Winter 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

Dates: 15th November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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

Dates: 15th November 2024 to 5th January 2025 (see also the Christmas at Waddesdon.
Address: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH.
Tickets:  (Non-NT Members): Adult £22.00, Child (5-17) £10.00, Under 5 Free. Parking charges apply.

Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest

Christmas at Bedgebury

Dates: 15th November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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. Tickets available on See Tickets.

Hever Castle

Twilight Christmas at Hever Castle

Dates: 22nd November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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

Dates: 27th November to 30th December 2024.
Address: RHS Wisley, Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB.
Tickets: (Non-Members): Adult – From £17.95, Child (5-16) – From £11.95, Under 5 – Free. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Mother and two boys standing inside a selfie frame at Blenheim Palace with the Christmas lights behind.

Winter Light Trails in the South

Wakehurst

Glow Wild 2024

Dates: 28th November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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.

Kingston Lacy (National Trust)

Christmas at Kingston Lacy 2024

Dates: early December to 24th December 2024.
Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA.
Tickets: (Non-NT Members): Adult £27.50 (with parking), Child £14.50. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens

Leonardslee Illuminated 2024

Dates: Select dates from end of November to 21st December 2024.
Address: Leonardslee, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PR.
Tickets: Adult – £18.00, Child (2-15) – £10.00, Under 2 – Free. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Staunton Farm

Enlightened

Dates: 6th to 24th December 2024.
Address: Staunton Farm, Middle Park Way, Havant, PO9 5HB.
Tickets: Adult – from £19.00, Child (3-15) – from £13.00. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Child controlling the lights at a Christmas light trail.

Winter Light Trails in the South West

Stourhead

Christmas at Stourhead

Dates: 29th November – 1st January 2025.
Address: 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

Dates: 9th November 2024 to 5th January 2025.
Address: 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

Dates: Weekends from 29th November to 31st December 2024.
Address: Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QS.
Tickets: Adult – £18.00, Child (5-18) – £11.00, Under 5 Free. Parking £8.00.

Bath on Ice

Glow in the Dark Mini Golf

Dates: mid-November 2024 to 3rd January 2025.
Address: Royal Pavillion, Royal Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NR.
Tickets: Adult – £7.75, Child – £6.50.

Eden Project

Christmas at the Eden Project

Dates: TBC.
Address: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.
Tickets: TBC.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Heligan Night Garden

Dates: mid-November 2024 to 2nd January 2025.
Address: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St.Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6EN.
Tickets: From £15.50 (adult) and £8.00 (child).

You might also like to read about these lovely family-friendly beaches in Cornwall.

Winter light display at Blenheim Palace.

Winter Light Trails in the Midlands

Wollaton Hall

Christmas at Wollaton Hall

Dates: 1st December 2024 – 1st January 2025.
Address: 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.

Malvern Winter Glow

Illuminated Light Trail

Dates: 22nd November  – 31st December 2024.
Address: 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.

This has been confirmed as a dog-friendly Christmas light trail. See selected dog-friendly nights here.

Coombe Abbey

Luminate Coombe Abbey

Dates: 30th November to 31st December 2024.
Address: 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

Dates: end of November 2024 to 7th January 2025.
Address: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4QU.
Tickets: From £15.50 per person (not including castle entrance).

Lightopia Alton Towers

Lightopia Festival

Dates: end of  November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: Alton Towers, Farley Ln, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB.
Tickets: From £15.00 per person and Under 3 – Free. Parking – £6.00.

They are also offering a popular Santa Sleepover if you are interested in a family Christmas holiday.

Chatsworth House

Christmas in the Garden – enjoy an interactive sound and light trail around the gardens of the stunning Chatsworth House.

Dates: 9th November 2024 to 5th January 2025.
Address: Alton Towers, Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4DB.
Tickets: From £15.00 per person and Under 3 – Free. Parking – £6.00.

Abbey Park

Enlightened

Dates: 6th to 24th December 2024.
Address: Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, Leicester, LE4 5AQ.
Tickets: Adult – from £18.50, Child (3-15) – from £12.50. Please see their website for up to date prices.

Two boys in red jackets standing in a winter light tunnel at a Christmas light trail in the UK.

Winter Light Trails in the North East

Castle Howard

Into the Woods: A Fairytale Christmas a beautiful winter lights festival.

Dates: mid-November 2024 to 2nd January 2025.
Address: Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7DA.
Tickets: Adult – From £27.00, Child (3-16) – From £13.50, Under 3 – Free.

Temple Newsam

Christmas at Temple Newsam

Dates: TBC.
Address: 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

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

Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Alice in Winterland

Dates: TBC.
Address: 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.

Dates: mid-November 2024 to beginning of January 2025.
Address: Stockeld Park, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, LS22 4AN.
Tickets: £15.00 per person, Under 2 – Free.

Family walking along a UK winter light trail looking at red and green illuminated trees.

Winter Light Trails in the North West

Dunham Massey (National Trust)

Dunham Massey Illuminated Light Trail

Dates: From 15th November 2024 to 1st January 2025.
Address: 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.

Lightopia

Lightopia Festival

Dates: TBC.
Address: 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.

Chester Zoo

The Lanterns at Chester Zoo

Dates: 15th November to 1st January 2025.
Address: Chester Zoo, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1EU.
Tickets: Adult from £13.00, Child from £11.00 and Under 2 – Free.

Bolesworth Castle

Christmas Lights Trail

Dates: 1st to 31st December 2024.
Address: 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

Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Address: 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.

See here if you’re looking at family Christmas breaks in the UK. Forest Holidays has log cabins based in forests all over the UK, including Delamere Forest.

Find out more about Forest Holidays in our post on places like Center Parcs that are cheaper.

Purple illuminated unicorn at a Christmas light show in the UK.

Winter Light Trails in Scotland

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Christmas at the Botanics

Dates: Mid-November to end of December 2024.
Address: 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.

Edinburgh Castle

Castle of Light

Dates: Weekends from end of November to 3rd January 2025.
Address: Edinburgh Castle, The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG.
Tickets: Adult from £19.80 and child (7 – 15) from £11.00.

Faskally Woods

The Enchanted Forest

Dates: 3rd October to 3rd November 2024.
Address: Faskally Wood, 3 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5BX.
Tickets: Adult from £24.00 and child (3 – 15) from £13.50.

Winter Light Trails in Wales

Margam Country Park

Luminate Wales

Dates: 21st November to 31st December 2024.
Address: 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.

Winter Light Trails in Northern Ireland

Antrim Castle Gardens

Enchanted Winter Garden

Dates: 23rd November to 18th December 2024.
Address: Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim, BT41 4LH.
Tickets: Adult – from £6.00, Child – from £4.00. Under 2 – FREE.

I hope you get to enjoy one of these UK Winter light trails. Do you have any more to recommend? Let us know!