LifecanbetoffIf you’re seeking to explore Christmas lights at beautiful historic stately home this forthcoming festive season, then look no further than my favourites for their magnificent festive adventures here in the Cotswolds (and a little beyond!)
There is nothing better than fairy lights, mulled wine and a extraordinary setting to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Blenheim Palace – Illuminated Lights Trail
From 22 November until 1 January, Blenheim Palace will be hosting its Illuminated Lights trail.
As if Blenheim isn’t amazing enough, each year it is given a spectacular twinkly makeover.
Navigating the grounds through a woodland Laser Garden, scented Fire garden and Water Terrace.
Why not combine your trip to the Illuminated Light Trail with Alice in the Palace and the Christmas Market? This will surely get you into the festive spirit!
Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Lights
We had the pleasure of visiting the Spectacle of Lights at Sudeley Castle in 2017 and it was truly spectacular!
Winding through the grounds of this stunning Castle. It was an incredibly magical experience with hot chocolate and churros to warm us up during the frosty evening.
It felt so incredibly Christmassy and I’d love to go again!
Running across selected evenings between 30 November and 30 December you can purchase your tickets online to take advantage of an early bird rate.
Festival of Light at Longleat
The Festival of Light at Longleat could quite possibly be the original Christmas lights trail at a stately home. OK, so it isn’t the Cotswolds but it is worth the travel!
And they pull out all the stops with their displays – not your traditional Christmas fairy lights but amazing features with sounds and music.
Once again in 2019, Longleat will be lighting up the night skies with it’s truly amazing Festival of Light. Running selected dates from 9 November to 5 January I would strongly suggest you don’t miss this one!
I visited last year and was amazed by the life size illuminated dinosaurs and pyramids. Incredible!
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum
The Enchanted Christmas light trail has been set out across a new route for 2019.
Wind your way through the trees to discover an enchanted wonderland of light and magic, meeting woodland characters along the way.
The fairies engage with children, helping them make memories with the “moon box” (camera!) as well as freezing in time when they see humans – yes I initially laughed at this but the children loved it!
Voted number one last year as being Britain’s favourite Christmas light display, the Enchanted Christmas in this beautiful Forestry England setting will surely set you off to a festive start.
With selected weekend dates between 29 November and 22 December, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment and booking your tickets is essential.
I really enjoyed my first visit for the opening night of 2019, invited on a press trip, we made our way around the trail twice enjoying a hot chocolate and hot dogs on the way.
Enchanted is the right way to describe the trail, what is usually a spectacular place to visit, enhanced by the lights and magic of the illuminated trail.
A definite must see!
Are you in the festive spirit yet?!
This is just a small selection of the Christmas light trails available, check your local what’s on guides to find out if there is something similar near you!
Peace out!
Jangles x
So many great suggestions – my festive spirit is well and truly coming out now! I’ve never heard of the Blenheim Palace one so I’m off to check their website out right now… probably one to add to my list for this year based on your photos and write up 😀
I’d recommend a visit to Blenheim at any time of year but at Christmas it must be so magical! I’m hoping to visit the full three this year! Just need to get it in the diary and book my tickets!
Have loved Sudeley – time to branch out!