No matter what’s thrown at us, human beings have a wonderful way of making the best of a situation. That’s what these Christmas light trails are all about. In the face of dark winter nights, we light them up with the most colourful, bright and beautiful displays imaginable. Prepare to be dazzled by thousands of twinkly lights this holiday season with the most magical Christmas light trails you can find near Bristol.
1. Christmas at Westonbirt
If the changing of the seasons wasn’t magical enough of a reason to visit The National Arboretum this winter, then Christmas at Westonbirt should be more than enough. Home to thousands of species of trees, watch them come to illuminated life this festive season. With sparkling lights, festive sounds, and mesmerising installations, it’s one of the easiest Christmas light trails to visit from Bristol. You can only see Westonirt’s enchanting trees on selected evenings from November 29 to December 31, we recommend planning.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury GL8 8QS
2. The Festival of Light
Longleat’s annual lantern festival is back from November 9 to January 5, with a thousand interactive and immersive lanterns. This year, The Festival of Light invites you to “Journey through time.” You’ll come across everything from an Ice Age sabre-toothed cat to a 10-metre-high Roman Colosseum with chariots and gladiators, a great pyramid of Egypt and Elizabeth I!
Elsewhere at Longleat this Christmas, you visit Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree with over 88,000 twinkling lights; see a phenomenal light show at Longleat House; and hop on the Santa Train to the North Pole, where Father Christmas is waiting in his grotto. To learn more about The Festival of Light head here.
Longleat, Warminster BA12 7NW
3. Christmas Nights Light Trail
Reach out and touch this stunning Christmas light trail near Bristol at Avon Valley Park. Teaming up with an award-winning event lighting specialist once again, the Christmas Nights Light Trail will illuminate Christmas with stunning light installations and creatively lit-up play areas for kids. It’s weaving around the park and intermingling with the lake and trees from December 6-8, 13-15, 20-23 and 27-31. You can also ride the miniature Elf Express railway, explore the animatronic Dinosaur Valley at night, and even go ice skating!
Pixash Ln, Bath Rd, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1TP
4. Festive Illumination Trail
The Illuminations at Old Down are back for a magical sensory experience at the Country Park and Estate. You’ll wander through sparkling installations and mesmerising lights, as you trail along a starlit Christmas journey around the grounds. Follow the path to the festive village to toast marshmallows, sip on hot chocolates and mulled wine, and scoff a hot crumble. Tuck into seasonal delights like Yorkshire pudding wraps and loaded roasties too. Tickets start at £13 and the Christmas light trail begins December 7 to 24.
Foxholes Lane, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4PG
5. Wookey Hole’s Winter Wonderland
Head down into the caves of Wookey Hole this Christmas where over 100,000 lights magically illuminate the way. And because it’s always dark underground, this Christmas light trail is available all throughout the day – meaning your little ones don’t have to stay up past their bedtime!
Also at Wookey Hole this festive period, you can meet Santa at his North Pole Grotto, where every child takes home a present from the Toy Shop. You’ll also get to watch a spectacular Christmas-themed circus show, performed in the Wookey Hole Theatre. Visit Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole on weekends from November 23 and daily from December 21 to 24.
Wookey Hole, BA5 1BA
6. Spectacle of Light
The Spectacle of Light returns for an after-dark experience in Gloucestershire. Between November 22 and December 30, Sudeley Castle glows with a magical new theme of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, featuring dazzling lights, immersive storytelling and unforgettable new installations. Venture around the award-winning gardens, illuminated by this timeless story, and discover everything from the Princess cursed to sleep for 100 years, the heroic Prince destined to awaken her, and a host of other memorable characters including The Wicked Fairy and the Good Fairies.
In addition, St Mary’s Chapel, the final resting place of Queen Katherine Parr, will be bathed in soft, glowing candlelight. Afterwards, visit the souvenir shop for unique Christmas gifts, and tuck into mulled wine, hot chocolate, freshly made doughnuts and more. To learn more about the Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle head here.
Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5JD
7. Christmas at Stourhead
The Wiltshire estate, Stourhead, has everything from sparkling tunnels to a sea of light stretching across the lake and huge feathers floating in the night sky this festive season – there’s even a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. Lit up with festive illuminations, the Christmas light trail will run from November 29 to January 1. It’ll take around 90 minutes to wander around this world-famous National Trust site, but prepare to be dazzled the entire way.
Stourhead, Stourton, Warminster BA12 6QD
8. Christmas at The Palace
By far one of the shortest running Christmas light trails near Bristol, so don’t hesitate to book if you want to visit. Running on select dates between December 7 to 30, these popular Christmas Illuminations are worth the trip to Wells. Wander the beautifully lit inner gardens of The Bishop’s Palace, where a stunning display of festive lights and decorations awaits. The mesmerising light maze and tunnel are a dazzling affair, while the Palace’s interiors are adorned with festive decorations.
The Bishop’s Palace, Wells BA5 2PD
Winter doesn’t have to be dark and grim and these light trails are sure to brighten up your evenings. Additionally, if you’re looking for more luminous events this holiday season, these festive Candlelight concerts are set to light up some of Bristol’s most gorgeous venues this December.