Magical festive light trails around the UK

Winding for almost two miles, Kew is one of the country's longest light trails

(Image credit: Getty / Dan Kitwood)

published 3 December 2024

There's little that will get you into the festive spirit faster than a stroll through a Christmas light trail. In recent years more and more of these twinkling displays have been cropping up across the country, each one pulling out all the stops to brighten up the gloomiest months. Here we've compiled a list of the most magical festive light trails in the UK from grand palaces to enchanting botanical gardens.

Christmas at Kew, London

With its "futuristic tree gardens" and "strobing light tunnels flashing like paparazzi bulbs", the Christmas light trail at Kew Gardens is "the closest most of us will get to starring in a sci-fi film", said Phoebe Taplin in The Times. Winding for almost two miles, it's one of the country's longest trails and, this year has a series of carousel rides and street-food stalls "adding to the razzmatazz". It isn't far to stroll into Richmond, either, for a spot of Christmas shopping.

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As well as its illuminated outdoor trail, Blenheim Palace has added an indoor option this year, taking visitors on an adventure through the state rooms as Tinkerbell "sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees", said Ellis Cochrane in Country Living. Elsewhere at the palace, guests can stock up on festive gifts and sweet treats at the Christmas market, and go ice-skating at the brand-new rink in the Grand Court.

Longleat opened in 1966 as the world's first drive-through safari park outside Africa, but in recent years it's also carved out a reputation for its "dazzling displays of thousands of Christmas lanterns", said Taplin in The Times. This year's theme invites guests to turn back the clock and take a journey through time, with the light trail "waltzing guests from the dinosaurs to Egyptian pyramids, Roman chariots and the Chinese Shang dynasty". Throw in an enormous Christmas tree and Santa train ride, and it's "quite some spectacle".

The Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley in Surrey is "switching it up", with a new after-dark trail through its enchanting gardens, said Chiara Wilkinson in Time Out. The display winds through Wisteria Walk and into the Glasshouse where a "white Christmas-themed plant display will leave a lasting impression as the dazzling finale". With "even more fire and fountain displays" than previous years, you're in for a memorable evening.

It is "fitting" that the home of Gilbert White, one of Britain's most influential naturalists, is hosting an eco light festival, said Rachel Dixon in The Guardian. All of the lighting is low-level, solar-powered or from renewable sources. While visitors expecting an "all-singing, all-dancing" display may feel disappointed, but those who want to spot glow-worms among "gently twinkling lights" will be enthralled. "And yes, there is still a tunnel of light for selfies…"

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Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.