LET IT GLOW!
BRIGHTEN THE DARK WINTER NIGHTS WITH A DAZZLING FESTIVE LIGHT SHOW, SAYS VICKY LISSAMAN
Delamere Forest Christmas trail, Cheshire
Experience twinkling lights and seasonal sounds at Forestry England’s Delamere Forest. Discover sparkling tunnels of light, walk under giant baubles and stroll beneath trees which are drenched in jewel-like colour.
■ Until December 31. Adult plus parking £27.50, trail only £19.50, child £13.50. forestryengland.uk/ christmas-at-delamere
Lightopia, Crystal Palace, south London
Lightopia is a new illuminated trail featuring multi-sensory interactive lights and installations, lasers, lanterns and water shows. The route takes visitors through the Guardian Gate through Butterfly Field and Rainbow Road.
See the iconic palace reborn in lights and fill up on some of South East London’s finest food.
■ Until January 2. Adults from £19.50, children from £13, family ticket from £58 plus booking fee. london.lightopiafestival.com
Christmas at the Castle, Warwick
Back by popular demand, evening guests can enjoy Warwick Castle’s dazzling Light Trail, around 64 acres of grounds with light projections against the backdrop of the turrets. Daytime visitors can also meet Santa’s elves in the workshop and enjoy a story with Mr and Mrs Claus. Take a whirl on the East Front’s ice rink then browse the winter stalls.
■ Until January 3. Light Trail from £14.50, £24.50 when combined with castle entry. Skating from £14.50, £24.50 with castle entry. Santa Sleepovers in the Knight’s Village from £399ppn for four, two days’ castle entry, evening entertainment, stories with Santa and breakfast. See warwick-castle.com
Christmas at Bute Park, Cardiff
Take a breathtaking tour around the city landmark which promises to deliver “the biggest light trail Wales has ever seen”.
The park features a dazzling sea of lights, interactive installations, a flickering fire garden, a fairy tree forest, plus there is also street food and mulled wine.
■ Until December 31. Adults £18, children (3-15) £13. christmasatbutepark.com
Alton Towers at Christmas, Staffordshire
New for 2021, Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland takes guests on an immersive journey through the four seasons with spectacular lanterns, light installations, a magnificent water show and colour transformations. Entry to the Christmas market on Towers Street is free (parking charges apply).
Guests also have the chance to upgrade their visit purchasing a Festive Day Out ticket, which includes selected rides and a stroll through the Alton Towers Gardens Lights Walk: Twinkling Stars.
■ Until January 2. Festive Day Out and market £16, Lightopia and Christmas market £20. altontowers. com
Christmas at Longleat, Wiltshire
Britain’s tallest singing Christmas tree is back with a spectacular 15-minute show featuring 80,000 pixel-mapped lights, 3D video projection and flurries of snow.
Visitors can also walk through a tunnel of lights which react and dance to the sounds of sleigh bells.
Illuminations transform the giant facade of Longleat House into a series of festive scenes. There’s also the snow-strewn trail, with illuminated flower through Monkey Temple and Longleat’s famous Love Labyrinth decked out with fairy lights.
A Flight Before Christmas, in the Longhouse, is a festive tale featuring the aerial grace of flying tawny, barn and eagle owls. Check out the new Elf Show and catch the Santa train to the woodland grotto to meet him.
■ Until January 3. Adults £36.95, children (3-15) from £27.70. longleat. co.uk/christmas-at-longleat
Christmas at Killerton House, Exeter
A magical trail, featuring spectacular lighting set to favourite festive tunes transforms the landscaped
gardens of the National Trust’s Killerton into a winter wonderland. There will be an arch of hearts and a carpet of gently glowing white roses. Keep your eyes peeled for Santa dropping by.
■ Until January 2. Adult ticket with parking £26, £18 trail only, £13 children. christmasatkilerton.co.uk
Christmas at Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Visit the National Trust’s country mansion by day to see festooned fireplaces and dazzling Christmas trees. Little ones will adore Percy The Park Keeper and his animal friends on a winter wander trail.
Visit at night and walk by elegant rainbow Christmas trees, a giant bauble tree and through tunnels of lights in the illuminated garden.
Until January 2. Adult plus parking £26, £18 trail only, children (3-15) £13. christmasat kingstonlacy. seetickets.com
Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
The illuminated trail returns with a new route across the South Lawn and into the woods beyond. As constellations seem closer than ever, firework trees fizz with lights that flash from the undergrowth.
Inside the palace the story of the Nutcracker is re-imagined with rooms exquisitely transformed and filled with hidden surprises, from the toymaker’s workshop to the candycane Kingdom of Sweets.
■ Until January 2. Adult £50, child (3-16) £3, parking £10. Christmas market free. christmasatblenheim.seetickets.com
Christmas at Gibside, Tyne & Wear
New from the National Trust’s Gibside, the Georgian landscape gardens, forged in an industrial past, are transformed into a winter wonderland by a dazzling illuminated trail. Highlights here include the Christmas Cathedral and the Neon Tree.
■ Until January 2. Adults £26 with parking, £18 trail only, children £13. christmasatgibside.co.uk