Christmas is so close now that we can almost taste the mince pies. One hugely popular activity in the build-up to the festive season (and beyond) is the light trails that pop up all over the country.
Delightfully dazzling, these trails are a delight for the family with some including guest appearances from elves and Santa or having special themes. They also might include a couple of Christmas market stalls so you can enjoy some mulled wine or hot chocolate on your walk around.
We’ve researched some of the most popular and eye-catching Xmas light trails so you can plan your festive visit. Taking the whole family and need a bigger vehicle? Why not borrow one with temporary car insurance and enjoy a wholesome family evening out.
What are the best Christmas light trails?
We’re very lucky in the UK to have so many festive light trails to choose from, all of them providing an ‘enlightening’ and different experience for all ages. Amongst the most popular are those hosted by The National Trust, The RHS, Luminate and, of course, Christmas at Kew.
Remember, spaces are limited at these events so if you want to go on one of these Christmas light walks, it’s recommended you book in advance.
The National Trust’s Christmas Lights and Winter Illuminations
Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester
On this trail, you’ll find bright beams shining through ancient trees, dancing lights on a moat and plenty of colour along the estate’s winding paths. You’ll also get to see the sparkling Field of Stars and enjoy a festive fairground* (*additional charges apply).
Belton Estate, Lincolnshire
Christmas at Belton offers a brand new trail for 2025, complete with stunning installation, immersive seasonal sounds and festive food and drink stalls.
Blickling, Norfolk
Blickling Hall’s house will be decorated with traditional sparkle and a cute mouse theme, while the evening will see the garden fully lit up.
- Dates: Saturday 29 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026.
- Prices: Adult £16, child £9, one-adult family £27, two-adult family £43 (Monday to Thursday)/Adult £20, child £11, one-adult family £34, two-adult family £55 (Friday and Sunday)/Adult £24, Child £13, one-adult family £41, two-adult family £66 (Saturday). Tickets for under 5s are free, but must be booked. Essential carer tickets are also available. Each family ticket includes up to three children.
- Address: Blickling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 6NF.
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blickling-estate/christmas-blickling-estate
Sizergh, Lake District
Wander through light and sound installations, see thousands of lights dance across the wooded knoll and get close to Sizergh’s winter wildlife on this beautiful trail.
- Dates: Friday 21 November until Wednesday 24 December 2025.
- Prices: £14 per adult (£4 for National Trust member), £9 per child (£4 for NT member), free entry for under 5s. Family tickets: £27 for 1 adult and 2 children, £31 for 1 adult and 3 children, £41 for 2 adults and 2 children, £45 for 2 adults and 3 children.
- Address: Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8DZ.
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/sizergh/winter-at-sizergh
Stourhead, Wiltshire
Light stretches across the lake with feathers floating in the sky and maybe even a glimpse of Father Christmas as he gets ready for the big day.
Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire
There are decorations in the manor house and a kaleidoscope of colour outside, complete with lights, music and unique installations.
- Dates: Saturday 22 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026.
- Prices: £30 per adult (£15.50 for National Trust members), £14 per child (£8 for NT members), free entry for children aged 0-4.
- Address: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH.
- Website: https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
A brand new after-dark trail with over a million lights and seasonal sounds. This is set to be a magical experience.
RHS Glow 2025
RHS Bridgewater, Salford
Each garden space is transformed into a gallery of light and shadow, complete with new, immersive lighting installations.
RHS Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire
This trail has been reimagined with plenty of hidden corners bathed in soft glows and bold beams.
RHS Hyde Hall, Essex
A world of magical winter wonders awaits, with the Robinson Garden home to illuminated bridges and dreamy, glowing vistas.
RHS Rosemoor, North Devon
The Winter Garden has been redesigned for 202, with trees swathed in shades of blue and green and some truly stunning light installations.
RHS Wisley, Surrey
There’s a brand new light show and even more memorable installations in this fantastical trail through these beautiful gardens.
Luminate’s Winter Light Trails
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Music-synchronised installations, interactive light displays with mirror balls and waterfall effects and so much more add charm to this popular light trail.
- Dates: Friday 28 November 2025 until Thursday 1 January 2026.
- Prices: £22.50 per adult, £15 per child, free entry for children aged 2 and under, £67.50 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
- Address: Westbourne Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR.
- Website: https://luminate.live/birmingham-botanical-gardens
Margam Country Park
Enjoy an enchanting walk along dazzling light displays, with playful interactive moments to delight all ages.
Ashton Court, Bristol
A brand new trail stretching 1.3km through stunning parkland, with over 15 dazzling interactive displays for the whole family to enjoy.
- Dates: Friday 18 November until Sunday 28 December 2025.
- Prices: £20.50 per adult, £13.70 per child, free entry for children aged 2 and under, £61.50 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
- Address: Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9JN.
- Website: https://bookings.luminate.live/tickets/ashton-court/calendar
Coombe Abbey, Coventry
Fresh lighting design, an updated route and dazzling new installations await at every turn.
- Dates: Saturday 29 November until Wednesday 31 December, 2025.
- Prices: £22.50 per adult, £15 per child, free entry for children aged 2 and under, £67.50 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
- Address: Brinklow Rd, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2AB.
- Website: https://bookings.luminate.live/tickets/coombe-abbey/calendar
Sandringham Estate, Norfolk
Stunning lighting elements and fabulously interactive light play is set to music on this magnificent mile-long trail.
Christmas at Kew
Kew Gardens, Richmond, London
Perhaps the most famous (and one of the most popular) light trails in the UK, this year’s experience in London's botanical garden promises spectacular new creations from globally recognised artists.
There's also a glimpse of Father Christmas as you walk the trail.
- Dates: Friday 14 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.
- Prices: £34 (peak)/£27.50 (off peak) per adult (£28 and £23.50 for members), £22 (peak)/£18 (off peak) per child, £98 (peak)/£81 (off peak) per family ticket. Free entry for children aged 4 and under.
- Address: Richmond, TW9 3AE.
- Website: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
Other light trail recommendations
Longleat Festival of Light
Who better to celebrate Christmas with than Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep? Longleat’s trail this year should be baa-baa-brilliant. You’ll also get to see lantern installations of the UK’s most famous landmarks and native wildlife.
- Dates: Saturday 8 November 2025 until Sunday 11 January 2026.
- Prices: From £49.95 to £56.95/£39.95 to £46.95/£34.95 to £39.95 (day ticket/non-safari day ticket/twilight ticket) per adult, from £37.45 to £42.70/£29.95 to £37.55/£26.20 to £29/95 per child (day ticket/non-safari day ticket/twilight ticket), free entry for children aged between 0 and 2 years old.
- Address: Warminster, BA12 7JS
- Website: https://www.longleat.co.uk/events/the-festival-of-light
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
There are so many festive treats at Blenheim Palace, from Afternoon Tea to the Great Skate, but the Discover the Great Outdoors illuminated trail might just be the highlight.
- Dates: Friday 14 November 2025 until Saturday 3 January 2026.
- Prices: £30/£29 (standard/Annual Pass holder), /£24/£23 (off peak/Annual Pass holder), £34/£33 (peak/Annual Pass holder) per adult, £24/£23 (peak/Annual Pass Holder) per child, free entry for children aged 2 and under, £110/£99/£80 for a peak/standard/off peak family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
- Address: Woodstock, OX20 1PS.
- Website: https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/
Westonbirt Arboretum
Laser lights, fireworks trees and wicker animals are all included in the illuminated arboretum.
- Dates: Friday 28 November until Wednesday 31 December 2025.
- Prices: £25/£19 (standard/off peak) per adult, £18/£12 (standard/off peak) per child, free entry for children aged 0 to 2 years old, £82/£59 (standard/off peak) per family ticket (2 adults, 2 children).
- Address: Tetbury, GL8 8QS.
- Website: https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/christmas
Leeds Castle
Find yourself immersed in a festive world, complete with sights, sounds and scents of Christmas all around you.
- Dates: Friday 21 November until Wednesday 31 December 2025.
- Prices: £26/£18 per adult (standard/off peak), £18.50/£13 per child, free entry for children aged 0 to 2 years old, £84/£59 per family ticket (2 adults, 2 children).
- Address: Maidstone, ME17 1RG.
- Website: https://leeds-castle.com/events/christmas-lights-at-leeds-castle/
Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh
There are new installations designed to complement the Botanics’ stunning landscape - plus plenty of festive food and drink (separate charges apply) to fill up with along the way.
- Dates: Thursday 20 November until Tuesday 30 December 2025.
- Prices: £25/£19 per adult (standard/off peak), £18.50/£14 per child (standard/off peak), £84/£63 per family ticket (standard/off peak). On the day prices are slightly higher.
- Address: 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR.
- Website: https://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-botanics-2025/
Windsor Great Park Illuminated
There’s a new forest trail this year in Windsor Great Park. It’s a place where woodland creatures will come to life and leave you dazzled.
- Dates: Friday 14 November 2025 until Saturday 3 January 2026.
- Prices: £29.15/£22.55/£19.80 (peak/off peak/super off peak) per adult, £18.70/£14.85/£12.10 (peak/off peak/super off peak) per child, free entry for children aged 0 to 2 years, £85.25/£67.10/£56.10 (peak/off peak/super off peak) per family ticket.
- Address: Egham TW20 0UU
- Website: https://www.windsorilluminated.com/
Ready for your glow up?
Get out and about as we swing into the festive season with a trip to one of these spectacular light trails. Of course, your local high street and cities like London, Bristol and Manchester also have their own Christmas lights and decorations for everyone to enjoy.
Make the trip even smoother with temporary car insurance. This way, whether you need a bigger car or want to share the drive if heading further afield, you can do it with peace of mind - and arrange it in an instant.
