Choose exactly where you want to be
HAVE AN ILLUMINATING CHRISTMAS AT A FESTIVE LIGHTS TRAIL SET IN SPECTACULAR SURROUNDINGS. BY VICKY LISSAMAN
OUR world today has many flaws; many changes need to be made. But, our society’s biggest flaw is having a fear of living without knowing.
Pressures are held over people’s heads, dangling achievements of others in their faces.
We are expected at the age of 16 to know how our lives will pan out.
You “must” know what occupation you want, “hurry up’’, “you have to apply to universities in Year 12, they like early applicants’’.
Year 12, still 16, fresh out of secondary school you are pressured with talks from universities about high grades and expected to know exactly what you will be doing in the future, as though your life starts in the space of one week.
There is such a rush to know so young.
Even growing older, at 20, your life is expected to be sorted.
Your own house, university or a full-time job, knowing exactly that this is what you will always do for the rest of your life.
Life is expected to be set out straight. It’s expected to be simple and straight forward when realistically this isn’t how it works at all.
This doesn’t even just apply to those 16/17/18 year-olds in college, it applies to those already on career paths, in their twenties and thirties, that may not know where to go next or may be struggling with their current job.
The issue is, in our society, it’s so stigmatised to want to “start again” at 30/40, so stigmatised to be doing a degree at 19 in a subject you may not want to get a job in, so stigmatised to go to university at an older age.
We sometimes don’t feel we are in control of our lives, and simply feel society and the system is constructing us to act/believe a particular lie.
The education system might be pressuring us with A grades to achieve our dream job, but there are many examples of people, celebrities even, who did not achieve A grades in GCSEs/A-levels, or even have a degree.
Society fails to let us know that grades aren’t everything because it is a system that believes in formal education over everything to obtain a top earning occupation.
Society never tells us that the career path they forced us to choose at 16, might not actually last forever.
If you are 20, 30, 40, 50 or any age, below or in between, this is a reminder that it is simply okay not to know what you next step is, and it is okay at any age to change pathways.
If your job isn’t giving you the satisfaction or the passion for life that you need then maybe you should rethink, and if there is a job you have always dreamed of, then why not pursue it? University at 45? So what?
We need to stop and realise that life isn’t as linear as it’s made out to be.
We won’t always stay passionate in the same place, some might but the majority won’t.
We human beings crave excitement and stimulation and when we are likely to be bored with 20 years of doing the same thing every day, we might need some extra training to gain more passion elsewhere.
That’s the same with those in college, your A-levels might, down the line, spark a passion in you for an occupation similar to a subject, but it might not, and spending years up until the end of your degree/ apprenticeship figuring that out is not something to be frowned upon.
It takes time and consideration. So don’t waste that precious time, take as long as you need.
Take it to find joy in something. Don’t let society’s expectation wrap you around its finger, let yourself run free and choose exactly where you want to be.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire
The Kingdom of The Snow Queen will be re-imagined within the palace rooms where each will be filled with hidden surprises. Discover the Land of Snowflakes and its frost-covered forest and the Kingdom of Ice, adorned with larger-than-life crystals.
Wander the gardens where the Illuminated Christmas Trail features a million lights, then browse the wooden chalets at the Christmas Market.
■ Until January 2. Combined trail and Snow Queen tickets, adult £57, child £36.50, family £166, christmasatblenheim.seetickets.com
Christmas at Hatfield Park Hertfordshire
New for 2022, discover sparkling tunnels of light, walk under giant baubles and beneath glistening trees drenched in jewel-like colour in the 42 acres of gardens and parkland of historic Hatfield House.
■ November 25 to December 31. Adult from £24, child £17, family £78, christmasathatfieldpark.seetickets.com
Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle Kent
Another new addition for this year, light installations at this moated castle will feature three remarkable works from French artists Tilt, including oversized lampshade clusters and chandeliers set to a soundtrack that will transport you to “Christmas” in an instant.
■ November 25 to January 1. Adult from £21.50, child £15, family £70, christmaslightsatleedscastle. seetickets.com
RHS Hyde Hall, Chelmsford Essex
Follow the illuminated Glow trail up on to the Hilltop, past the
Thatched Barn and through the Dry Garden, where dazzling lights and sound effects add to the festive drama.
Take in the views of the Australia and New Zealand Garden, then wander through the Winter Garden and be dazzled by the living willow sculptures.
■ November 22 to December 30. Adults £12.95, child £6.95, rhs.org.uk
Christmas at Stourhead Wiltshire
At this Palladian house and garden, the curated trail features the Christmas Cathedral where thousands of pea lights are woven into the forest landscape. Marvel at the Sea of Light, neon stars wrapping trees and a brilliant nova.
■ November 25 to January 1. Adults from £21.50, child £15, family £71, christmasatstourhead.seetickets.com
Palace of Light at Hampton Court Palace Richmond upon Thames
Encounter curious creatures, from glittering unicorns to polka-dot panthers in the palace courtyards after dark.
These luminous displays are inspired by the Royal Beasts, a collection of heraldic statues commissioned by Henry VIII himself.
■ December 7 to January 2. Adults £14.50, child £9.50, family £43.20, hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace
Christmas at Gibside Tyne and Wear
Featuring larger-than-life illuminations set to festive tunes, the familyfriendly trail returns to the Georgian garden this winter. Installations include The Pealit Tree and Snowflake Park.
■ December 1 to January 1. Adults from £19.50, child £14, family £64, christmasatgibside.seetickets.com
Heligan Night Garden, St Austell Cornwall
Bask in the glow of the lanterns and discover a celebration of wildlife from owls to hares that make Heligan their home on this new onemile route. Stop to toast marshmallows at the fire bowls along the way. ■ Until January 2. Adults from £15.50, child, £8. heligan.com
Christmas at Roundhay Park Leeds
A brand-new Christmas trail featuring giant illuminations and sea
sonal music will light up one of the biggest city parks in Europe. See oversized lilies, enchanting snowdrops, the colourful Neon Tree and mesmerising fire garden.
■ December 8 to January 1. Adults from £19.50, child £15, family £70, christmasatroundhaypark.seetickets.com
Christmas at The Botanics Edinburgh
A firm favourite in Scotland, more than a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds will fill the air, with returning favourites including the Christmas Cathedral and Fire Garden. But the new route, light works and installations ensure the experience is truly unique.
■ Until December 30. Adults from £21.50, child £15, family £70, rbge.org.uk/christmas
Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Belfast
Wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in Christmas colour, surrounded by giant baubles, glowing spiral trees and glittering snowflakes.
■ December 1 to January 1. Adults from £22, child £15, family £71, christmas athillsborough.seetickets.com
Christmas at Dunham Massey Cheshire
Discover new installations as the winter trail gears up to be bigger and better than ever at the Georgian house and gardens. There is a new route, food, drinks and fairground rides.
■ Until January 2. Adults from £22.50, child £14.50, family £50-£72, christmasatdunhammassey.seetickets.com
Longleat Land of Light Wiltshire
The Festival of Light returns with the new Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl. Marvel at 800 lanterns and key scenes from the children’s books brought to life including The BFG, Matilda and The Twits. Walk through Wonka’s factory gates, be amazed by James’ Giant Peach.
And, while you’re there, see the Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, ride the Santa Train and enjoy the Winter Safari Drive-Through, Jungle Kingdom, Jungle Cruise and Longleat Hedge Maze.
■ Until January 8. Adult all-in-one ticket from £39.95, child £29.95, longleat.co.uk
Alton Towers Lightopia Staffordshire
Walk the illuminated trail and witness magic light installations, projections and dancing lights in themed zones including the four seasons, dragons, summer fruits and wands.
Don’t miss the interactive installations, then refuel at the Christmas market.
■ November 25 to January 2. Tickets from £15, £30 with theme park, altontowers.lightopiafestival.com
Christmas at Kew London
Enjoy the after-dark festivities with sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, glitter balls and trees drenched in colour on your way to the panoramic Palm House light display.
■ Until January 8. Adults from £21.50, child £18, family £82, kew.org/ kew-gardens/whats-on/
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Christmas at Belton Lincolnshire
Choreographed to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes, at Belton’s majestic gardens there will be colour-changing spheres, a Sea of Light, a sparkling rose garden and stars leading to larger-than-life mistletoe along the trail that’s more than a mile long.
■ November 24 to January 1. Adults from £21.50, child £15, family £71, christmasatbelton.seetickets.com
Christmas at Delamere Forest Cheshire
See the forest in a different light when it is transformed with chandelier dancefloors, firework trees and Triangulate, a 138ft tunnel of neon lights.
■ November 25 to December 31. Adults from £21, child £14, family £67, christmasatdelamereforest.seetickets.com
■ For more details on Christmas lights trails visit mychristmastrails.co.uk
Wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in Christmas colour Hillsborough Castle Gardens