Britain's best festive light trails
Get into the Christmas spirit with these lovely walks around the country
It’s that time of year again, when gardens, forests and country estates light up with festive trails. If you have never done one, they are a magical way to spend an hour or two, with the family. Here’s my pick of eight of the best.
1. Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh
The lovely grounds at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh come ablaze after dark in this popular light trail. rbge.org.uk
2. Christmas at Bute Park, Cardiff
In Cardiff, the light trail Christmas at Bute Park is the most popular trail outside of London, for good reason. christmasatbutepark.com
3. Botanic Lights, Cambridge
New for this year, is the trail Botanic Lights at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. botanic.cam.ac.uk
4. Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace comes into its own at Christmas with its famous trail and inside, the house has been turned into Sleeping Beauty’s fairytale. blenheimpalace.com
5. Christmas at Heaton Park, Manchester
The makers of Christmas at Kew have headed up north this year, for the Christmas at Heaton Park light trail in Manchester. Christmasatheatonpark.seetickets.com
6. RHS Glow at Wisley, Surrey
Beautiful RHS Garden Wisley also lights up with a popular festive trail through its botanic displays. Rhs.org.uk
7. Aglow at Auckland Castle, County Durham
Aglow is a 1.5-mile trail round Auckland Castle, including the largest Christmas tree in the North. Aucklandaglow.org
8. Christmas at Kew, London
One of the most famous light trails in the country is at Kew Gardens, when Christmas at Kew brings the botanical site to sparkling life. kew.org