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5 fabulously festive Christmas light trails in the Cotswolds [2024]

Add a touch of sparkle to the festive season this year with a Cotswolds Christmas light trail. With castles, gardens, forests and farms all draped in colourful lights, these light trails have become an annual Christmas tradition. So wrap up warm (and bring an umbrella just in case), grab a hot drink and explore one of these fabulously festive 2024 Christmas light trails in the Cotswolds.

Christmas light trails in The Cotswolds

Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light Christmas light trail in the Cotswolds
Light show at Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light

On the outskirts of Winchcombe, the ruins of 15th-century Sudeley Castle make a beautiful backdrop for the annual Spectacle of Light event, with a Christmas light trail running though the castle grounds. Sudeley has an impressive royal pedigree – it has hosted kings and queens and was home to Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr, who is buried in its church.

Sudeley has been running the Spectacle of Light since 2016, and each year the trail has a different theme, set to music to add to the atmosphere. The 2024 show is based around Sleeping Beauty and features a wave of light on the mulberry lawn, flickering fire flowers, sparkling water features, lanterns and light beams, as the heroic Prince tries to break the Wicked Fairy’s spell.

The light trail takes around 60-75 minutes to walk, and there are stalls selling festive food and drink on the castle terrace just after the halfway point (they do get busy so prepare to queue).

Open on selected evenings from 22 November–30 December 2024. Entry £25 adults/£14 children aged 3–15, with discounts if you book before 22 November. Dogs not permitted.

Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light
The Spectacle of Light

Christmas at Westonbirt

Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury swaps the colours of its autumn leaves for the sparkle of Christmas lights this winter at their Christmas at Westonbirt event. The Arboretum has over 15,000 trees and shrubs spread across 800 acres, which are decorated with over a million lights.

There’s a brand-new trail for 2024 which features neon trees, luminous birds on branches, dazzling tunnels of light, colourful projections, clever visual effects and interactive displays for kids. And somewhere among them you’ll also catch a glimpse of Father Christmas and his elves.

The trail is around a mile long (plus there’s a reasonable walk to get to the start from the car park) and takes around 60–90 minutes to complete. There are food and drink stalls along the way and in the Christmas village at the start and end, which also has traditional fairground rides.

Open on selected evenings from 29 November–31 December 2024. Entry £18–£24 adults/£16–£21 students/£12–£17 children aged 3–16, plus £8 for parking. Dogs not permitted.

Westonbirt Arboretum Enchanted Christmas light trail in the Cotswolds
Enchanted Christmas

Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail

Residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, birthplace of Winston Churchill and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim is a palace on a grand scale. And each Christmas it opens up for special festive events, including an Illuminated Light Trail through the palace gardens. The trail winds through woodland, with giant light sculptures, projections and lasers set to music.

Each year there’s a mix of new installations and old favourites, from rainbow rays of light filling the gardens and dancing lakeside reflections to the ever-popular (and highly Instagrammable) tunnel of light with over 100,000 tiny light bulbs. Along the way street food stalls sell tasty treats.

The trail runs for 1.8 miles and takes around 90–120 minutes to walk. You can also add on a visit to the palace itself, which is decorated with a Nutcracker theme this year. And the palace’s annual Christmas market also returns for 2024, along with a new ice rink in the Great Court.

Open on selected evenings from 15 November 2024–1 January 2025. Entry £21.50–£29 adults/£16–£21.50 children aged 3–16, plus £10 for parking (if booked in advance, otherwise £12 on the day). Palace tickets sold separately. Dogs not permitted.

Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail
Blenheim Illuminated Light Trail

Cotswold Farm Park Enchanted Light Trail

The Enchanted Light Trail at Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is returning for 2024 with a new Christmas display, which has been developed by local creative artists and lighting designers. The park is open after hours for this family-friendly event, which gives you the chance to experience the Cotswold Farm Park in a whole new way, filled with colour, light, sound and sparkle.

The Enchanted Light Trail takes around 60–90 minutes to walk, and runs from the visitor centre area to the park’s boundaries and back. Along the route there are light displays inspired by different animals, as well as some real animals to feed and a magical illuminated woodland.

There are crackling fire pits to toast marshmallows over and hot drinks to keep you warm. You can also add on a visit to Father Christmas, and there’s a café and festive gift shop.

Open on selected evenings from 22 November–31 December 2024. Entry £21.95 adults/£18.95 seniors/£18.95 children aged 4–15/£9.95 toddlers aged 2–3, with early booking discounts. Dogs welcome (except in the Discovery Barn and Animal Barn), but must be kept on short leads.

Cotswold Farm Park Enchanted Christmas light trails in The Cotswolds
The Enchanted Light Trail

Painswick Rococo Garden Enchanted Garden By Night

The Enchanted Garden By Night at Painswick Rococo Garden is the newest Cotswold light trail. The garden, located in a valley on the edge of the village of Painswick, was designed in the 18th century to enthrall and delight visitors, and is the last surviving Rococo garden in the country.

In this festive follow-up to their popular Enchanted Garden summer event, willow sculptures of dragons, unicorns, fairies and boggarts are given a Christmas makeover as they’re illuminated with sparkling lights. You can also explore the garden’s follies, sculptures, statues and winding paths as Christmas trees and glowing stars light your way, making a great evening for all the family.

Visitors can enjoy a delicious marshmallow-topped hot chocolate or cup of mulled wine, and shop for locally sourced gifts and food and drink made with produce from the garden.

Open on selected evenings from 30 November 2024–4 January 2025. Entry £17 adults/£9 children aged 4–16. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on short leads.

Painswick Rococo Garden Enchanted Garden By Night
The Enchanted Garden By Night

Christmas light trails near the Cotswolds

As well as the five Christmas light trails in the Cotswolds, there are also a couple of festive trails which are being held just outside the region and would make an easy day trip.

Christmas at Longleat

The Festival of Light annual winter lantern spectacular takes place at Longleat Safari Park near Frome. 2024’s theme is The Evolution of the Earth. Hundreds of lanterns decorate the grounds, taking visitors on a journey through time from the age of the dinosaurs to present day.

As well as the lanterns there are projections lighting up the historic frontage of Longleat House, in celebration of Longleat opening its doors 75 years ago. And a 15-metre-tall Enchanted Christmas Tree with lights and snow machines, which serenades visitors with their favourite carols.

You can also upgrade your ticket to add in a winter safari drive-through where you can meet some of the park’s animal residents. Or add on the Santa Train, which departs from Longleat Central Station and transports kids to a magical grotto where they can meet Father Christmas.

Open on selected evenings from 9 November 2024–5 January 2025. Entry £27.95–£32.95 adults/£20.95–£24.70 children aged 3–15. Winter safari/Santa train at extra cost. Dogs not permitted.

Festival of Light at Longleat
Longleat at Christmas (photo © Longleat)

Malvern Winter Glow

Winter Glow at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern combines multiple festive events in one, including an Illuminated Light Trail. This year’s theme sees Jingle the Elf on a quest to find the source of the Light Guardians’ fading magic, restoring joy and happiness to the Winter Village Folk.

The trail is one of the longest in the region, and features a new light installation which has been created by local creative artists, craftspeople and lighting designers. And if you want to bring your pooch along, there are special dog-friendly sessions being held on multiple dates.

As well as the light trail, there’s a Christmas market and plenty to eat and drink, with street food stalls in the Festive Food Quarter, an Ice Café and Jingle’s Winter Bar. You can also add a personalised Santa’s Grotto experience, UV Glow Crazy Golf, ice skating and fairground rides.

Open on selected evenings from 22 November–31 December 2024. Entry £19.50–£24.50 adults/£9.50–£12.50 children aged 3–16. Other activities at extra cost.

Illuminations at Malvern Winter Glow  Christmas light trail
Illuminations at Winter Glow (photo © Malvern Winter Glow)

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Fabulously festive Christmas light trails in the Cotswolds 2023, including illuminated trails at Sudeley Castle, Westonbirt Arboretum, Blenheim Palace, Cotswold Farm Park and more | Christmas in the Cotswolds | Cotswold Christmas | Christmas light trails | Christmas events in the Cotswolds

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