Tickets are now on sale for 15 dazzling Christmas light trails across the UK, including new trails in Kent, Yorkshire and Hertfordshire.
Preparations are already under way for the fabulous festive trails, all of which are set in historic and iconic venues across the UK. The new trails will be at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone; Roundhay Park, in Leeds; and Hatfield Park, near Hertford.
Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We were thrilled with the fantastic response from visitors who enjoyed the trails last Christmas and our planning and preparation for 2022 is well under way. Each trail will have new features and light works, so the experience will be different for those who have been before.”
The new Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle trail will run from November 25 until January 1. Enchanting illuminations and Christmas music will light up the magnificent 11th century property, which is set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens.
Roundhay Park in Leeds, one of the biggest city parks in Europe, will also play host to a delightful seasonal trail from December 8 to January 1. The trail will be created within 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens, owned by Leeds City Council.
Hatfield Park, which is at the centre of a large agricultural estate with extensive parkland near Hertford, will host the illuminated trail featuring fire and wild sculptures from November 25 to December 31.
Each magical trail around the UK showcases the natural and unique environment of its individual location. The curated trails feature installations from internationally and locally renowned artists and soundtracks include classical and contemporary festive favourites that will move you as you walk through millions of twinkling lights.
SOUTH & SOUTH WEST
CHRISTMAS AT BLENHEIM PALACE, Oxon: 18 Nov 2022 – 2 Jan 2023
The Kingdom of The Snow Queen will be re-imagined within Britain’s Greatest Palace. New for 2022, explore the Palace rooms, each one exquisitely transformed and filled with hidden surprises – discover the glistening Land of Snowflakes filled with a silvery frost-covered forest and venture into the wintry Kingdom of Ice adorned with larger-than-life shimmering crystals.
The Illuminated Christmas Trail is firmly positioned as one of the highlights of the UK festive calendar. Wander the Palace’s picture-perfect gardens filled with Christmas cheer as more than a million lights and seasonal sounds fill the air.
Christmas Market: The traditional wooden chalets will be showcasing a range of festive treats from designer-makers and artisan food and drink producers. It will run from Friday 18 November to Sunday 18 December.
Admission: Combined tickets from: Adult £57, Combined adult £57, Combined concession £55.50
Combined child £36.50, Combined family £166
Free entry to Christmas Market. Parking charges apply after 10.00am.
Website: christmasatblenheim.seetickets.com
Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. OX20 1UL
CHRISTMAS AT STOURHEAD, Wilts: 25 Nov 2022 – 1 Jan 2023
Stourhead is a Palladian house and garden described as a ‘living work of art’. The curated trail features the stunning Christmas Cathedral, in which more than a thousand pea lights will be woven into the forest landscape. Marvel at the ‘Sea of Light’, neon stars wrapping trees and a brilliant super nova, providing plenty of selfie moments along the way.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £21.50, Child £15 (Age 3-16); Family £71 (2 adults + 2 children) Parking £8 per car. Free for National Trust members when booked in advance.
Website: christmasatstourhead.seetickets.com
Address: Stourhead, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6SH
CHRISTMAS AT KINGSTON LACY, Dorset: 2 – 24 Dec 2022
The grounds of this elegant country mansion will be transformed into a winter wonderland once again this year. The family friendly trail, featuring curated illuminations set to a soundtrack of Christmas music, will illuminate the beautiful garden.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £19.50, Child £14, Family £65 (2 adults & 2 children).
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.
Parking £8 per car. Free for National Trust members when booked in advance.
Website: christmasatkingstonlacy.seetickets.com
Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA
SOUTH EAST
NEW FOR 2O22 CHRISTMAS AT HATFIELD PARK, Herts: 25 Nov 2022 – 31 Dec
Just 20 minutes on the train from Kings Cross station, this historic National Trust property was built by Robert Cecil, in the grounds where Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood. Jacobean Hatfield Park is home to centuries of historical treasures, 42 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland which will be transformed into a winter wonderland.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £24, Child £17 (Age 3-16); Family £78 (2 adults + 2 children) Parking £6. Must be booked in advance.
Website: christmasathatfieldpark.seetickets.com
Address: Hatfield Park, Hatfield, AL9 5HX
NEW FOR 2O22 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT LEEDS CASTLE, Kent: 25 Nov 2022 – 1 Jan 2023
Be transported into a winter wonderland in this unique landscape, leading up to the stunning moated castle. Among iconic and award-winning light installations there will be three remarkable new works from creators T-i-l-t, including oversized lampshade clusters and chandeliers. Walk under giant baubles and beneath beautifully illuminated trees to a soundtrack that will transport you to ‘Christmas’ in an instant.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £21.50, Child £15 (Age 3-16); Family £70 (2 adults + 2 children) Parking £6. Must be booked in advance.
Website: christmasatleedscastle.seetickets.com
Address: Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1RG
CHRISTMAS AT BEDGEBURY, Kent: 18 Nov 2022 – 2 Jan 2023
See the trees as you’ve never seen them before in the National Pinetum and Forest at beautiful Bedgebury this Christmas. Installations designed by a range of international artists portray the pinetum in a majestic light, beneath unique canopies drenched in seasonal colour and inspired by the landscape to create a festive adventure for all the family.
Admission: Advanced Admission Tickets: Adult £21.50, Child £14.50 (Age 3-16); Family £69 (2 adults + 2 children) Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum members receive £1.50 per person discount (max 6 people). Parking £8. Must be booked in advance.
Website: christmasatbedgebury.seetickets.com
Address: Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Goudhurst, Kent. TN17 2SJ
CHRISTMAS AT KEW, London: 17 Nov 2022 – 9 Jan 2023
A botanical world filled with seasonal cheer. Christmas at Kew is now firmly established as one of the UK’s leading Christmas experiences. The magical trail will light up Kew Gardens as you’ve never seen before, making the perfect festive winter evening.
Enjoy the annual after-dark festivities with family and friends, as you discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, glitter balls and trees drenched in jewel-like colour on your way to the panoramic Palm House light display. Pause at the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden and don’t forget to glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult off peak £21.50, Peak £28 Child £18 (Age 4-15); Family £82 (2 adults + 2 children)
Website: kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE
EAST of ENGLAND
CHRISTMAS AT BELTON, Lincs: 24 Nov 2022 – 1 Jan 2023
National Trust’s beautiful Belton House in Lincolnshire is getting ready to welcome back its glittering Illuminated Trail with a brand-new route. Get your Christmas sparkle on, and be surrounded by over a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations.
The lights are choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music, transforming Belton’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland. There are picture perfect colour-changing spheres, a sea of lights, a sparkling rose garden and stars leading to larger-than-life mistletoe – all of which provide plenty of selfie moments around the two-kilometre trail.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £21.50, Child £15, Family £71 (2 adults & 2 children).
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.
Parking £8 per car. Free for National Trust members when booked in advance.
Website: christmasatbelton.seetickets.com
Address: Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LW
CHRISTMAS AT WIMPOLE, Royston: 25 Nov 2022 – 1 Jan 2023
Following the success of its first year, the Christmas trail at Wimpole will return once again to see the grounds transformed into a winter wonderland with a new route. You will discover sparkling tunnels of light, walk under giant baubles and beneath trees illuminated in Christmas colours.
Curated installations include new green laser garden, romantic Heart Arches, Snow Flake walk and the Instagram favourite Christmas Cathedral. Pause at the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden and don’t forget to glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £19, Child £14.50, Family £64 (2 adults & 2 children).
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.
Parking £8 per car.
Website: Christmasatwimpole.seetickets.com
Address: Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW
NORTH of ENGLAND
CHRISTMAS AT GIBSIDE, Tyne & Wear: 1 Dec 2022 – 1 Jan 2023
Following the success of its first-year, tickets are on sale for the Christmas trail at the National Trust’s Gibside estate, near Gateshead. Featuring larger than life illuminations choreographed to a much-loved seasonal soundtrack the family friendly trail returns to the Georgian garden this winter.
Installations include artists work such as The Pealit Tree, Sea of Light and Snowflake Walk with sparkly giant gold, silver blue and pink snowflakes.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £19.50, Child £14, Family £64 (2 adults & 2 children). Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.
Parking: £8
Website: christmasatgibside.seetickets.com
Address: Gibside, near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE16 6BG
NEW FOR 2O22 CHRISTMAS AT ROUNDHAY PARK, Leeds: 8 Dec 2022 – 1 Jan 2023
A brand-new Christmas trail featuring larger than life illuminations and much-loved seasonal music, will light up Roundhay Park in Leeds, one of the biggest city parks in Europe. Enjoy illuminated pieces that include oversized Lilies, enchanting snowdrop walk, colourful Neon Tree and mesmerising fire garden.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £19.50, Child £15 (Age 3-16); Family £70 (2 adults + 2 children) No car parking on site
Website: christmas@roundhaypark.seetickets.com
Address: Roundhay Park, Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH
CHRISTMAS AT DUNHAM MASSEY, Cheshire: 18 November 2022 – 2 January 2022
Discover new immersive installations as the magical winter trail is set to be bigger and better than ever at the Georgian house and gardens at Dunham Massey. As well as new lights and music there is a new route, food, drink and fairground rides so it’s never the same twice. This trail is now firmly established in the UK’s Christmas calendar and sells out each year, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
Admission: Limited availability, therefore early booking is advised.
Advanced Admission Tickets From: Adult £22.50, Child £14.50 (Age 3-16); Family £50-£72 (1 or 2 adults + 2 children) Parking £8. Free for NT Members. Must be booked in advance.
Website: christmas@dunhammassey.seetickets.com
Address: Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ
CHRISTMAS AT DELAMERE FOREST, Cheshire: 25 November – 31 December 2023
Following the success of the first Christmas at Delamere Forest, tickets are now on sale for the second illuminated trail at Forestry England’s great estate so more visitors can see the forest in a different light. Chandelier dancefloors, Firework trees and 42 metre prism tunnel of neon lights are just some of the installations you can expect at this winter wonderland.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £21, Child £14, Family £67 (2 adults & 2 children).
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under
Parking £8 per car.
Website: christmas@delemereforest.seetickets.com
Address: Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2HZ
SCOTLAND
CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS, Edinburgh: 26 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
Firmly established as unmissable within Scotland’s winter calendar, over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds will fill the air with festive fun at The Royal Botanic Garden. Returning favourites include Christmas Cathedral and Fire Garden but there is a new route and new light works and installations to ensure and the experience is truly unique. Look out for Inverleith House cast in a new light.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £21.50, Child £15, Family £70 (2 adults & 2 children).
Free entry for carers and infants aged 3 & under
No parking at this site
Website: rbge.org.uk/christmas
Address: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, East Gate, Arboretum Place, EH3 5LP
NORTHERN IRELAND
CHRISTMAS AT HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE & GARDENS, Belfast: 1 Dec 2022 – 1 January 2023
The magical after-dark trail at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, near Belfast, features spectacular lighting and enchants visitors with much loved seasonal music. The trail will once again transform the estate’s beautifully landscaped grounds, but with a new route up to the castle.
Admission: Advanced From: Adult £22, Child £15, Family £71 (2 adults & 2 children).
Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under
No parking at this venue
Website: christmasathillsborough.seetickets.com
Address: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, The Square, Hillsborough BT26 6GT