Trip the light fantastic
THERE ARE SOME SPECTACULAR LIGHT TRAILS TO FOLLOW AND CHRISTMAS VENUES TO GO TO THIS FESTIVE SEASON
A CHRISTMAS lights trail is one of the most heartwarming things you can do with your family during the festive period. As the nights become darker, walking through a tinkling wonderland of lights is one of the most awe inspiring things that the whole family are sure to enjoy.
As well as the many Christmas markets and town centre displays in Burton and Swadlincote in December, there are also special lights trails you can visit for a great trip out. These utilise lights, music and decorations to get you in the festive spirit – and the children will love it.
So here are some Christmassy lights trails in the area with some in Staffordshire and Derbyshire you will be able to visit soon. Some of these may require pre-booking in advance so make sure you check ahead, before you set off.
Chatsworth House, near Bakewell, Derbyshire:
The house, near Bakewell, will be opening its doors for its annual event taking on a Norse theme this time. The event, entitled “Deep Midwinter: A Nordic Christmas at Chatsworth” will feature appearances from the Norse god Loki who will show visitors around the grounds of the beautiful Derbyshire house. Visitors will get the chance to venture into the gardens there to admire spectacular illuminated trails and features.
Tickets cost £29.50 for adults and £18 for children. The event is running until January 8.
National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire:
Illuminated Arboretum is taking place across the 150-acre woodland site at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas. Visitors will be able to follow a trail of lights through the venue and enjoy the arboretum at night.
The event runs from 5pm to 8pm, from December 1 to 17. Tickets cost £19 for adults and £9 for children. Santa Sleepovers at Alton Towers: The award-winning Lightopia festival is returning to Alton Towers in Staffordshire this Christmas with brand new installations and interactive experiences. Discover a Water Show, Dragon Land, Animal Safari, Candy Land, Gate of Wonder, Flower Garden and more throughout the trail.
You can also visit the Towers Street Christmas Market as part of the trail. Running from November 25 to January 2, tickets start from £15 for adults and children over three.
There are also Santa Sleepovers which feature a visit to Santa’s Grotto and an overnight stay in one of the themed hotels.
Lantern Festival at West Midland Safari Park:
The Lantern Festival is back for a second year at West Midland Safari Park with more than a thousand lights in 50 different scenes to explore. All the lan
terns, projectors and interactive displays have a flora and fauna theme, including a safari of animals and dinosaurs. There’s a stunning tunnel of lights to walk through, lights dotted around the Land of the Living Dinosaurs and even a snow-covered winter wonderland complete with a snow machine.
You can combine a trip to the Lantern Festival with the four-mile winter Safari and a visit to Santa in his grotto. The event at the Bewdley attraction runs from November 25 to December 24. You can also now stay overnight at the Safari Park in an elephant, giraffe, rhino or cheetah lodge.
Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire:
As darkness settles this Christmas, see Calke all lit up in festive lights on an illuminated trail, taking in the Stableyards, Pleasure Grounds and St Giles Church. This year the National Trustrun Abbey is working with QUAD, an international centre for engagement in contemporary art and film, based in Derby.
The illuminated trail will be open every weekend in December and the week before Christmas from 3.30 to 6pm. Booking is not needed and is included in normal admission fees.
Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire:
The cathedral, which is England’s only medieval cathedral which has three spires, will be illuminated with sounds and light projections from December 16 to 22. The year’s event “the manger” is a re-telling of the Christmas story. Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £6 for children. Tickets can be booked on the Lichfield cathedral website.
Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire:
Returning for 2022, the Christmas at Trentham illuminated trail is designed to sprinkle a little Christmas magic, accentuate the flora and fauna and see the stunning historic landscape in a world of light and colour. The event is taking place from December 2, 2022 to January 1, 2023. First entry is 4pm, tickets are £22.10 for adults, £14.60 for children and £66.40 for families.
Illuminated woodland walk, Longford:
The Illuminated woodland walk is back for a third year in a row and is a celebration at the end of the year run by Heritage Wood.
The walk is aimed at the whole family and consists of an evening walk through the woodland, which will take approximately 40 minutes.
People can visit the woodland on Friday, November 25, Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27. The woodland is also open on the first weekend of December, with tickets available on the Heritage Wood website.