Book a bright Christmas: illuminated tunnels, fluorescent lakes and talking trees – light shows are now part of the festive season, from Kew Gardens to the Eden Project

Winter light trails offer dazzling displays and all kinds of treats to get you in the festive mood. Here are some of the best across Britain..

The Eden Project

We can’t rely on the weather to play ball, so play it safe by going undercover for a night.

The Eden project‘s biomes will be lit up like snow globes this Christmas, with a 1920s jazz vibe and live music in the Mediterranean Dome and a tropical festive theme in the Rainforest Dome.

Elsewhere at the Cornwall location, you can visit Santa Claus, go ice skating and zip down a zip line at night.

Book: Until December 30th. Adult from £33, child from £11. Activities outside the biomes cost extra.

Stay: Boscundle country house – small, stylish and only a mile away. Double rooms from £125, room only.

RHS Hyde Hall

Travel through gardens of the world – with a Christmas twist – in the The RHS outpost in Essex.

The Glow Route includes willow sculptures that sparkle with light, lantern-lit walkways along lawns full of neon colors and mirror balls floating on the lake.

New this year is a path to the hilltop, which is rewarded with beautiful views. Stop for one-pot meals at The Thatched Barn and takeaway at the Lake Cabins.

Book: Until December 30th. Adult €15.95, child €8.45. Children under 5 years free. Discounts for members.

Stay: The Limes in Maldon is a chic B&B in a 17th century house. Doubles from £99.

Dunham Massey

Last year’s impressive displays are surpassed with new additions Cheshire attraction.

Expect light tunnels, a super-sized twinkling star shrouded in mist, lights dancing across the grass and two giant reindeer (appropriate, as there’s a medieval deer park here) flanking the path to the 17th-century house.

Oh, and you might see Santa along the way.

Everything is accompanied by a hip soundtrack, food, drinks and fairground attractions.

Book: Until December 31st. Adult £19, child £12.50. Children under 3 years free. Family €60.

Stay: The Belmore is a small pub/hotel in Sale, close to Dunham Massey and Manchester. Double rooms from £85, room only.

Chatsworth House

You could expect Christmas in the Garden at Chatsworth be special. It is. The entire south facade of this stately post in Derbyshire is transformed into a spectacular Advent calendar with smart lighting.

It’s the grand finale of their interactive sound and light show of estate landmarks including the Cascade, Rock Garden and Maze.

Book: Until January 7. Adult £18.50, child £11, family £46.

Stay: The Peacock Hotel at Rowsley is a treat, just a ten minute drive away. Doubles from £235, including breakfast.

Kew Gardens

London’s favorite green spot gets a touch of fairy dust.

This year’s new installations Kew including Hive, a contemporary work of art that cleverly mimics a beehive, and an exhibition of candles that appear to magically float in the air above visitors’ heads. The highlight is always the Palm House, with projections on the lake and illuminated fountains.

Book: Until January 7. Adult from £22.50, child from £15. Family £69, children under 4 free.

Stay: The riverbank Petersham Hotel is within walking distance of Kew Gardens. Double rooms from £176, room only.

Antrim Castle

Enter the Enchanted winter garden for entertainment galore from new friends – the fire juggler, The Grinch, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, not to mention the fairies, elves and elves of the Wonderland Wood and, of course, the big man – Santa – himself.

Lights twinkle through the trees and turrets that line the path through the grounds of this Northern Irish castle. The Festive Fayre serves sweet and savory treats. However, it might be best to create all the carnival rides first. . .

Book: Until December 19th.

Stay: Dunadry Hotel & Gardens is 3.5 miles from Antrim Castle. Double from £119, B&B.

Bedgebury

Christmas at Bedgebury National Pinetum and forest in Kent makes use of all those trees.

See them illuminated, illuminated and drenched in every color of the rainbow. The enchanting path winds over a mile around lakes dotted with fluorescent water lilies, through an arch of dazzling lights and past Santa Claus with sleigh and reindeer, accompanied by Christmas tunes. Street food vendors offer giant hot dogs and mulled wine.

Book: Until December 31st. Adult from £19, child from £13, children under 3 free. Family from €61. Parking is extra.

Stay: The bell in Ticehurst is a quirky pub with great food. Double rooms from £125, room only.

Margam Country Park

Make your way through the grounds and past the beautiful Grade II listed castle in Glamorgan, South Wales.

Luminate Wales has the light trailwith interactive elements to keep you on your toes.

See a talking tree, see little ‘living’ fairies, write down your Christmas wishes and leave them in the wish tree and admire the incredible digital animation on the castle facade. Don’t forget to stop along the way to roast marshmallows at the fire pits.

Book: Until December 31st. Adult €16.75, child €12.25, family €56.50.

Stay: The old house 1147, Wales’s oldest pub (with rooms) is a 20-minute drive away. Doubles from £120, B&B.

Monteviot House

The Scottish Borders’ first winter light trail works magic in the 30 hectares of gardens surrounding Monteviot House, Roxburghshire.

It is home to the Marquess of Lothian (aka Tory politician Michael Ancram). The wooded grounds are transformed into a winter fairytale with lots of sparkle and shine to emphasize and enhance the natural environment. Local dishes will tempt visitors, as will the crafts for sale at the visitor center.

Book: Until December 10. Adult £18, child £12. See monteviotlights.co.uk for more details.

Stay: Dryburgh Abbey Hotel is a country house hotel close to Monteviot House. Doubles from £100, B&B.

All events must be booked in advance; there are no walk-in tickets.