UK Best Christmas Lights - Where to Go. Your 2025 Guide

Thought we'd post a quick reminder on this one - the goose is definitely getting fatter, and it will be Chrimbo before you know it. Stick a needle in the map and plan a visit to the nearest of these locations. And have a very joyeux Noel.
From the PPG team.

As winter draws in and the evenings get darker, something magical happens across the UK. Historic houses, botanical gardens, and sprawling forests are transformed into glittering wonderlands, illuminated by millions of twinkling lights. Christmas light trails have become a beloved festive tradition, offering the perfect excuse to wrap up warm, sip on a hot chocolate, and make some unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

These enchanting trails are perfect for an easy weekend getaway, whether you’re a couple seeking a romantic escape or a family looking for a magical day out. Most events use timed tickets to ensure a relaxed, crowd-free experience, and they are easily driveable from major cities. From the grandeur of Blenheim Palace to the botanical beauty of Kew Gardens, we’ve rounded up the top 10 UK Christmas light trails for 2025, complete with all the practical information you need to plan your trip.

1. Christmas at Kew, London

Best for: A world-famous, iconic London experience.

As the UK’s original and most famous light trail, Christmas at Kew is a true festive institution. The trail takes you on a magical journey through the world-renowned botanical gardens, with sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, and the spectacular Palm House light show. It’s a must-do for any Londoner or visitor to the capital during the festive season.

• Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026

• Tickets: From £27.50 adults; £18 children. Timed entry slots from 4:20pm. Book well in advance.

• Getting there: Easily accessible via the District Line or Overground to Kew Gardens station.

• Where to stay: The elegant hotels of Richmond, like The Petersham, offer stunning views. For a cosy pub with rooms, try The Coach & Horses Hotel.

2. Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Best for: Imperial grandeur and a spectacular show.

If you’re looking for a showstopper, Blenheim Palace is the one. The magnificent palace and its grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland, with a stunning illuminated trail and a themed experience inside the palace itself (for 2025, it’s “The Palace of Oz”). The scale and artistry of the light installations are breathtaking, making it one of the best Christmas light trails in the UK.

• Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026

• Tickets: From £30 adults; £22 children. Separate tickets for the trail and the palace experience.

• Getting there: Located in Woodstock, an 8-mile drive from Oxford. Car hire is recommended.

• Where to stay: For a luxurious spa stay, book a room at The Randolph Hotel, by Graduate Hotels in Oxford. For a charming pub stay, The Bear Hotel in Woodstock is just a short walk away.

3. Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Best for: French château elegance and National Trust charm.

This stunning French Renaissance-style château, a National Trust property, puts on a spectacular Christmas display. The house is beautifully decorated, and the grounds host a magical light trail and a charming Christmas market. It’s an easy drive from London and makes for a perfect festive day out.

• Dates: Selected evenings from November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026

• Tickets: From £30 adults; £14 children. Discounts for National Trust members.

• Getting there: Located near Aylesbury, about a 45-minute drive from London.

• Where to stay: The Five Arrows Hotel, at the gates of Waddesdon Manor, is a beautiful boutique option.

4. Winter Lights at Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Best for: An affordable and magical northern adventure.

One of the most affordable yet impressive light trails in the UK, the Winter Lights at Alnwick Garden offer a magical experience for all ages. The trail winds through the beautiful gardens, with stunning light and sound installations. It’s a great option for those in the North East, and can be combined with a visit to the magnificent Alnwick Castle.

• Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026

• Tickets: From £10.45 adults; £4.95 children.

• Getting there: Located in Alnwick, a 30-mile drive from Newcastle.

• Where to stay: The Cookie Jar in Alnwick is a quirky and stylish boutique hotel.

5. The Festival of Light at Longleat, Wiltshire

Best for: A spectacular lantern festival and safari park adventure.

Longleat’s Festival of Light is one of the longest-running and most spectacular events in the country. The grounds of the safari park are filled with giant, illuminated lanterns, creating a breathtaking display. It’s a full day out, with the safari park to explore in the daytime and the light trail in the evening.

• Dates: November 8, 2025 – January 11, 2026

• Tickets: From £34.95 adults; £26.20 children.

• Getting there: Located near Warminster, a 20-mile drive from Bath.

• Where to stay: The Bath Arms at Longleat is a stylish and convenient choice.

6. Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo, Cheshire

Best for: A unique and family-friendly animal-themed trail.

Experience Chester Zoo after dark with this magical lantern and light trail. The route takes you through the zoo, where you’ll encounter spectacular illuminated animals, from majestic giraffes to playful penguins. It’s a wonderful and educational festive experience for families.

• Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026

• Tickets: From £19 adults; £12 children.

• Getting there: Located in Chester, a 45-minute drive from Manchester.

• Where to stay: The Chester Grosvenor offers luxurious city-centre accommodation.

7. Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

Best for: A stunning garden trail near Manchester.

For those near Manchester, Glow at RHS Bridgewater is a must-visit. The beautiful gardens are transformed with a trail of twinkling lights, interactive installations, and festive music. It’s an affordable and accessible option for a magical evening out.

• Dates: Selected dates from November 26 – December 30, 2025

• Tickets: From £13.50 adults; £7.25 children. Discounts for RHS members.

• Getting there: Located in Salford, a 20-minute drive from Manchester city centre.

• Where to stay: The Lowry Hotel in Manchester offers five-star luxury.

8. Christmas at Westonbirt, Gloucestershire

Best for: A magical forest trail in the Cotswolds.

Westonbirt Arboretum’s enchanted Christmas trail takes you on a magical journey through the magnificent forest. The trees are beautifully illuminated with a kaleidoscope of colours, creating a truly immersive and festive experience. It’s a wonderful way to connect with nature during the winter season.

• Dates: November 28 – December 31, 2025

• Tickets: From £19 adults; £12 children.

• Getting there: Located near Tetbury, a 30-mile drive from Bristol.

• Where to stay: Calcot & Spa is a luxurious country house hotel nearby.

9. Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Sussex

Best for: A wild and wonderful botanical adventure.

Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, Wakehurst, hosts its own stunning light trail, Glow Wild. The trail takes you on a journey through the gardens and woodlands, with beautifully crafted lanterns and immersive soundscapes. It’s a more rural and rustic alternative to its London counterpart.

• Dates: Selected evenings from November 27, 2025 – January 3, 2026

• Tickets: From £19.50 adults; £13 children.

• Getting there: Located near Haywards Heath, about an hour’s drive from London.

• Where to stay: Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa offers a luxurious and relaxing retreat.

10. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent

Best for: A classic forest light trail in the South East.

Bedgebury’s Christmas trail is a firm favourite in the South East. The route winds through the pinetum and forest, with spectacular light displays, including the iconic vortex tunnels. It’s a magical experience for all ages, with festive food and drink stalls along the way.

• Dates: Selected evenings from November 21 – December 31, 2025

• Tickets: From £18 adults; £12 children.

• Getting there: Located in Bedgebury, near Tunbridge Wells.

• Where to stay: The Bell in Ticehurst is a quirky and characterful pub with rooms.

Word Count: 1,528 words

Primary Keywords: UK Festive Days Out & Light Trails, Best Christmas light trails near London, Best Christmas light trails near Manchester, Blenheim Palace light trail where to stay Secondary Keywords: Christmas at Kew tickets 2025, UK Christmas light trails 2025, Family Christmas days out UK, Christmas light trail weekends, Festive days out near me

Top 12 UK Light Trails + Closest Boutique Hotels

For a truly magical festive getaway, why not pair a stunning Christmas light trail with a stay at a charming boutique hotel? We’ve rounded up the top 12 UK light trails for 2025 and found the closest and most stylish boutique hotels to make your winter weekender extra special.

1. Christmas at Kew, London

– Boutique Hotel: The Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond. An elegant and stylish hotel with stunning views over the Thames.

2. Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

– Boutique Hotel: The Bear Hotel, Woodstock. A historic and characterful hotel just a short walk from the palace.

3. Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

– Boutique Hotel: The Five Arrows Hotel, Waddesdon. A beautiful and convenient option at the gates of the manor.

4. Winter Lights at Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

– Boutique Hotel: The Cookie Jar, Alnwick. A quirky and stylish hotel in the heart of the town.

5. The Festival of Light at Longleat, Wiltshire

– Boutique Hotel: The Bath Arms at Longleat. A stylish and convenient pub with rooms.

6. Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo, Cheshire

– Boutique Hotel: Oddfellows, Chester. A quirky and characterful hotel in the city centre.

7. Glow at RHS Bridgewater, Salford

– Boutique Hotel: Dakota Manchester. A sleek and stylish hotel in the heart of Manchester.

8. Christmas at Westonbirt, Gloucestershire

– Boutique Hotel: The Hare & Hounds Hotel, Tetbury. A traditional and charming country house hotel.

9. Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Sussex

– Boutique Hotel: Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Cuckfield. A luxurious and relaxing retreat.

10. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent

– Boutique Hotel: The Bell in Ticehurst. A quirky and characterful pub with rooms.

11. Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

– Boutique Hotel: The Varsity Hotel & Spa, Cambridge. A stylish hotel with a rooftop terrace offering stunning city views.

12. Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh

– Boutique Hotel: The Raeburn, Edinburgh. A beautiful and elegant hotel in the Stockbridge area.

London Light Trails by Tube (No-Car Plan)

Living in or visiting London without a car doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the festive magic of a Christmas light trail. In fact, some of the UK’s best are easily reachable by public transport. Here’s your no-car plan for a magical festive evening.

1. Christmas at Kew

• The Lowdown: The original and arguably the best. Kew Gardens puts on a spectacular show with sparkling tunnels, dancing fountains, and the iconic Palm House light display. It’s a huge, immersive experience.

• Getting There: Take the District Line or London Overground to Kew Gardens Station (Zone 3). From there, it’s just a short walk to the Victoria Gate entrance.

• Insider Tip: Book the earliest time slot you can to experience the trail as dusk falls. It gets busier as the evening goes on.

2. Glow Wild at Wakehurst

• The Lowdown: Kew’s wilder sister garden in Sussex offers a stunning, nature-inspired light trail with beautifully crafted lanterns and immersive soundscapes. It’s a more rustic and atmospheric experience.

• Getting There: Take a direct train from London Victoria to Haywards Heath (around 45 minutes). From the station, it’s a short 10-minute taxi or bus ride to Wakehurst.

• Insider Tip: Make a day of it and explore the beautiful town of Haywards Heath or the nearby Ashdown Forest (the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood) before your evening light trail experience.

3. Hampton Court Palace (Check for 2025 dates)

• The Lowdown: While not confirmed for every year, Hampton Court Palace often hosts a magical festive light trail through its historic gardens. Keep an eye on their website for 2025 announcements.

• Getting There: Take a direct train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court Station (Zone 6). The journey takes around 35 minutes, and the station is right outside the palace gates.

• Insider Tip: If the trail is running, combine it with a visit to the palace during the day to explore the magnificent Tudor kitchens and the famous maze.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, which means that – at no extra cost to you – PlanPackGo.blog may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. We only share products, services, and companies that we genuinely believe in and, where possible, use ourselves. All opinions, reviews, and recommendations are entirely our own and have not been influenced, reviewed, or approved by any third party.

PlanPackGo.blog is a wholly-owned brand of DMH Media Hub.