The UK really comes to life at Christmas, thanks to the twinkle of the country's fantastic festive light trails. Where would Christmas be without them, after all?
From the smallest sparkles glinting in windows to the massive illumated tunnels and gardens taking over towns, nothing can put a smile on the face of even the grumpiest of Grinches quite like some Christmas lights. We've handpicked eight of the most dazzlingly beautiful light trails in the UK, which are sure to brighten up those darker days ahead.
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At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
Head to the grounds of this majestic country house in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to be transported into a wonderland of animated installations and creative light artistry. You won’t be disappointed: hard work goes into turning the ancient woodland into an ‘enchanted forest’, complete with a curated soundscape, fairytale creatures, twinkly tree branches and a lakeside light show. Talk about festive cheer.
Nov 18-Jan 8 2024. Book here.
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens are worth seeing any day, but when they’re transformed once a year with millions of twinkly lights, they take on a whole new kind of magic. Not only can you expect dazzling light tunnels and shimmery rainbow-tinged tree branches, but Father Christmas will also be present to add to the charm. And once you’re finished seeing the best of the lights, finish off your evening with a warming hot chocolate and some sticky-sweet toasted marshmallows. Yum.
Nov 16-Dec 30 2022. More info here.
This quaint village in Norfolk is home to one of the region’s most anticipated Christmas celebrations: Thursford’s Enchanted Journey of Light. You’ll see penguins, polar bears, elves and even a snowman family, before finishing up at the Lantern Light Extravaganza. Apparently, there will also be ‘naughty’ mushroom gnomes (we don’t know what they are, but sounds like you’d better watch out).
Nov 19-Dec 24 2023. Book here.
Blenheim Palace – the birthplace of Winston Churchill – is an Oxfordshire landmark. To bring in the festive season, the country house throws an annual light trail around its gardens, complete with glittering lake reflections and mesmerising flames in the ‘fire garden’. If you’re lucky, you might even bump into Father Christmas.
Nov 17-Jan 1 2023. Book here.
If you’re still waiting around to feel the Christmas spirit this year, don’t fret: this one-stop shop will put a change to that. The facade of Waddesdon’s manor house will be decked out with shimmering lights (and accompanied by a special soundtrack), while a spectacular light trail will be on offer to guide you around the Pleasure Grounds. A charming Christmas market will also be on hand with more than 80 stalls to sort you out with any last-minute gifts.
Nov 22-Jan 1 2024. Book here.
If you’ve not been living under a rock, chance are you’ll have heard of Lightopia, the exciting annual light takeover of Manchester’s Heaton Park. Memorable installations will be dotted around to brighten up even the gloomiest of winter nights, including wild animals, colourful lanterns, Christmas characters, a sparkling tunnel and Lightopia’s ‘world-famous’ Phoenix bird. Not to be missed.
Nov 24-Jan 2 2024. Book here.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Wisley in Surrey is switching it up this year with a new lit-up walking route around its gardens. Guiding you round the Jellicoe Canal and the old Laboratory, the trail will take you through Wisteria Walk and into the Glasshouse where a white Christmas-themed plant display will leave a lasting impression as the dazzling finale. And you’re in luck: they’re promising even more fire and fountain displays than normal.
Nov 24-Jan 2 2024. Book here.
Just outside of Newcastle, you’ll find Gibside: an eighteenth-century landscaped garden set in acres and acres (and acres) of picturesque woodland. New installations have been added to their magnificent after-dark festive light trail for 2023, promising an evening of extremely Instagrammable sights.
Nov 25-Jan 8 2024. Book here.
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