HERTS & BEDS

An Enchanted Christmas Light Trail, Wrest Park, 1 Dec 2023 – 1 Jan 2024

For the very first time Wrest Park in Silsoe is putting on a spectacular light trail throughout December (and New Year’s Day). The immersive light installations will be designed to blend with the estate’s natural surroundings in an explosion of colour, sparkle and festive cheer. There’ll also be festive food, warming cocktails and plenty of Insta-worthy moments.

Shuttleworth in Lights, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, 24 Nov – 17 Dec

Step through the gates of the Regency style Swiss Garden with its follies, fountains, bridges and shrubs to see them beautifully illuminated in a magical walk-around experience, while the six aircraft hangers, housing the Shuttleworth Collection of vintage aircraft and vehicles, will take you through 100+ years of aviation and automotive history in a different light – quite literally. Grab yourself a hot chocolate or mulled wine from the Coffee Pod before you set off, or warm up halfway round at the Runway Café.

Stockwood Illuminated, Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton, 15 – 23 Dec

Explore the historic gardens of Stockwood Discovery Centre by twinkling light, as it’s illuminated for the festive season. Follow the self-guided paths through the greenery of the beautiful gardens and put your photography skills to the test as you capture those Insta moments.

Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour, Letchworth, 16 Dec

Ok, so this isn’t a light trail as such but I couldn’t leave out this quirky local tradition (it’s been running for two years, but we’re calling it!). I mean, who doesn’t love a tractor?! The convoy of around 150 tractors and farm vehicles adorned in twinkling lights and decorations will start their journey in Baldock before heading up Letchworth’s Leys Avenue, where there’ll be some other festive sights, plus hot food and drink to get you into the Christmas spirit. Plus it’s all in aid of local charity, Garden House Hospice.

Welwyn Christmas Lights Trail, Welwyn Garden City, 18 Nov – 1 Jan

Make your way around the town looking for the ten stunning light installations, from a giant Christmas bear to Santa’s chair, and snap your selfies on route. If you upload them to Facebook or Insta with the hashtag #WGCXMASLIGHTS you could even win some prizes.

BUCKS & OXON

Winter Light Trail, Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Bucks, 22 Nov – 1 Jan

Christmas is again returning to Waddesdon Manor offering more festive cheer than you can shake a tinsel covered stick at, transforming into a festive and fantastical wonderland. Inspired by the classic tales of Alice in Wonderland, The Snow Queen and Peter Pan, there is plenty to see both in and outside the Manor.

With the grand rooms featuring the Mad Hatter’s tea party, the Snow Queen’s magic mirror and Captain Hook’s treasure cave, there is plenty to entertain the kids. While outside, Waddesdon’s spectacular landscape and magnificent trees are brought to life with a kaleidoscope of colour, lights and music as the illuminated light trail fills the grounds. If that wasn’t enough, Waddesdon’s Christmas Fair is also back along with a bespoke Food Village offering visitors takeaway food and drink served from cute little chalets, from artisan kebabs to glazed doughnuts, so you can munch whilst exploring the grounds.

Christmas at Blenheim, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxon, 17 Nov – 1 Jan

You can expect over a million lights, lasers, and seasonal sounds at Blenheim this Christmas with tunnels of light through the trees and dancing reflections on the lakes. And on top of all this splendour, enjoy a bustling Christmas market with winter street food and festive goodies to snap up. You can also see the story of Sleeping Beauty re-imagined within the Palace’s rooms if you go for the house and grounds ticket. Ice ice baby.

NORTHANTS

Winter Light Trail, Delapré Abbey, Northampton, 24 Nov – 31 Dec

Lose yourself in the breath-taking grounds of Northampton’s historic Delapré Abbey this winter, where the fairytale walled garden and woodlands are lit up with colourful tunnels of light, sparkling trees and magical soundscapes. There’s a ski lodge bar serving hearty food and warming winter cocktails for that little bit of extra Christmas sparkle too, plus children’s fairground rides.

CAMBS

Cambridge Botanic Lights, Cambridge Botanic Gardens, 1 – 22 December

There’s another brand new festive night out in our region for 2023 – this time at the Botanic Gardens with the launch of their first ever winter lights trail. The Cambridge Botanic Lights will take place from 1 – 22 December and will bring the already stunning garden to life after dark with amazing displays and artistic interventions highlighting standout features such as the Fountain, Lake and Glasshouse Range. Tickets are selling out fast so get yours sharpish.

Wimpole Hall Estate, nr Cambridge 24 Nov – 31 Dec

Catch a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along this magical winter light trail, where you’ll discover huge feathers floating high into the sky, encounter a sea of light stretching out into the distance, surround yourself with sparkle in the long glowing tunnel and see contemporary Christmas trees in all the colours of the rainbow.

LONDON & ESSEX

RHS Garden Hyde Hall Chelmsford, 23 Nov–30 Dec

Here you can admire RHS Gardens Hyde Hall lit up in rainbow shades. New for 2023, follow the trail up the Hilltop past the Thatched Barn, stopping to see a fountain on the top pond. You then head back down through the Dry Garden to see a carpet of colour, mirror balls on the lake and lanterns lighting your way.

Christmas at Kew, Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, 15 Nov – 7 Jan

Returning for its eleventh year, Kew Garden’s winter trail is back lighting up the night skies with sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour as well as the panoramic Palm House light display. It’s on from 15 Nov to 7 Jan, 4.20pm-10pm. It’s timed entry and capacity is limited, so advance booking is essential.

Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, London, 1 Dec – 1 Jan

The sweeping grounds of this neoclassical stately home (which you may recall from the end of Notting Hill) will be decked out with a brand new light trail for 2023 including 13 new installations and interactive surprises around every corner. It’s set to be a multi-sensory experience, and there’s even a bar for festive cocktails and food trucks for winter food after.

Lightopia Festival, Crystal Palace Park, London, 17 Nov – 2 Jan

Everyone knows it’s Christmas time once Lightopia, London’s largest light display, is ignited. This award winning lantern and light festival brings the history of Crystal Palace Park alive with interactive exhibits, immersive light installations, and a magical illuminated trail.