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.
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.
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
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
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
Dates: TBC.
Address: Crystal Palace Park, London, SE19 2GA.
Tickets: From £19.50 per adult and £13.00 per child (3 – 15).
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Winter Light Trails in the South
Wakehurst
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
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
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.
Winter Light Trails in the South West
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
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
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
Dates: TBC.
Address: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.
Tickets: TBC.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
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 Trails in the Midlands
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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)
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
Dates: TBC.
Address: Lightwater Valley Theme Park, North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3HT.
Tickets: £12.50 per person, Under 2 – Free.
Stockeld Park
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Winter Light Trails in Scotland
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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
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
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
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
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!
