CHRISTMAS is a magical time of year and one of the best ways to get into the festive spirit is to see a light show. 

There are many stunning light shows across England from Kew Gardens in London to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

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Some even serve festive treats including mulled wine and gingerbread men to help you get into the fun of the season. 

Here are the eight best Christmas light shows in England.

Kew Gardens, London

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When Christmas arrives, Kew Gardens is lit up with more than a million bulbs.

It’s an entirely new way to see the 320 acre attraction which is home to over 16,000 species of plants. 

The gardens are bathed in warm, colourful light and the trail is lined with thousands of candles, holographic laser beams and canopies of fairy lights. 

Visiting Christmas at Kew doesn’t have to break the bank either, as ticket prices range from £21.50 for members at off-peak times to £26 at peak times. 

For non-members, it is a little bit more expensive with off-peak tickets costing £25.50 and peak tickets costing £32. 

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

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The grounds at Blenheim Palace are already so beautiful that they have been used in Harry Potter, James Bond and Indiana Jones — but Christmas there is really something special.

There are thousands of illuminated lights transforming the historic building and grounds into a winter wonderland.

Kids will love the Neverland in the palace experience, which gives them the opportunity to explore the sparkling state rooms, complete with a model London skyline

Also, £1 will be added at basket stage for each Neverland in the Palace ticket to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. 

Longleat, Wiltshire

Bristol is home to the beautiful Longleat House which opens its gates for visitors to welcome them to its annual Festival of Light. 

The grounds, which are home to one of the UK’s most exciting safari parks, will turn back the clock and take visitors on a journey from the dawn of man to the present day. 

But that’s not all because this light show has a Santa train to meet Father Christmas and his elves.

The Festival of Light runs from November 9, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

Oxford Street and Regent Street

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Oxford Street and Regent Street are among the busiest streets in Europe and they are both home to some of England’s best light displays every Christmas.

Both streets have over 300,000 LED lights which provide great photo opportunities while you do some Christmas shopping. 

Regent Street has huge angels of light spanning across the entire street and Oxford Street is draped in over 5,000 white stars. 

Oxford Street will be lighting up from November 5, 2024, and Regent Street will follow suit just two days later. 

Killerton, Exeter

Christmas at Killerton will feature a traditional Christmas experience that includes an enchanted decorated house, which has green garlands, warming fireplaces and lush trees to make you feel cosy.

There is more fun to be had in the garden, which has an outdoor trail for the kids to enjoy.

The gardens and chapel grounds will be covered in Christmas lights, making it the best location for a Christmas family photo so dress to impress.

Christmas at Killerton will run from November 26, 2024 to January 2, 2025.

Bedgebury, Kent

Bedgebury is home to a one-mile magical winter trail which has fields of light and giant luminous seed pods.

Then, you’ll walk through sparkling tunnels of light and the forest is drenched in all of the colours of the rainbow.

It’s perfect for a little Christmas warmth on a cold December day.

Christmas at Bedgebury runs from November 14 to December 31, 2024.

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Mayfield Park, Manchester

The Twilight Trail transforms Mayfield Park into a 6.5 acre Christmas extravaganza with 50,000 lights.

From hot chocolate to toasted marshmallows, there is plenty to eat and drink as visitors wander through the winter wonderland.

Tickets are now on sale. Adult tickets priced at £14 and child tickets are £9, with under two-year-olds gaining free entry.

The Twilight Trail runs from November 14 to December 31, 2024.

Liverpool Cathedral

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The Light Before Christmas 2024: Starlight is an immersive sound and light installation by the acclaimed artistic collective Luxmuralis, in one of the most historic cities in England.

The cathedral will be become a stunning display of sound, light and storytelling — but it only runs for one day so you’ll need to hurry to get tickets.

Head on to Liverpool to catch The Light Before Christmas when takes place on November 30, 2024.

LONDON’s Winter Wonderland will be opening next month with some updates – a much-loved rollercoaster is set to return following a one-year hiatus, as well as other reimagined activities.

The winter attraction will run for six weeks in the capital’s Hyde Park, with a variety of attractions, activities, entertainment, and food on offer.

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After a break from Winter Wonderland last year, the rollercoaster Wilde Maus XXL will make its return in 2024.

The 30-metre tall coaster rollercoaster features multiple twists and turns with a G force of 2.5, and the queue is even interesting – with spinning platforms and stepping stones over water.

Munich Looping, the world’s largest transportable rollercoaster, will also be part of this year’s lineup.

Other rides include the Aeronaut Starflyer, the Hangover and the Euro Coaster.

The Magical Ice Kingdom is back for another year, but this time with a brand-new theme: Alice in Wonderland.

Inside the Alice in Wonderland Ice Village, more than 500 tonnes of snow and ice will be used to bring Lewis Carroll’s story to life.

Visitors enter through the Queen of Hearts‘ castle before discovering key scenes and characters like the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and the Cheshire Cat.

The Magical Ice Kingdom claims to be one of the largest ice exhibitions in Europe, with some carved sculptures taller than five metres.

Fan favourites, like the Real Ice Slide, will be part of this year’s festivities.

The Real Ice Slide sees visitors climb to the top of the slide before heading down the 35m slope on a rubber ring.

Meanwhile, the open-air Ice Rink will also be returning for the 2024 season.

Visitors will be able to skate across the 1,795 square metre rink as live acoustic music plays in the background.

Bar Ice, the Apres-ski-themed Bar, will also return for 2024.

The freezing cold bar has been brought back to London in association with Mixtons Cocktails – think DJ beats and classic cocktails with a twist.

Other popular attractions include the Giant Wheel, ice sculpting workshops, and Zippos Christmas Circus.

Those who aren’t keen on big rides will be able to watch the Cirque Berserk show Thunderbolt – an “adrenaline-fuelled circus stunt” show performed by a troupe of daredevils.

And following a run of sell-out performances in 2023, Children’s TV Megastar Justin Fletcher, known for his role as Mr Tumble on CBeebies, will also return for 2024 – and tickets are already limited.

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More than 20 new traders will be making their Winter Wonderland debut in 2024, with the site’s Christmas Market featuring a diverse range of handmade crafts.

As part of the new line-up, live demonstrations will also be hosted at the market.

Food and drinks like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and tankards of Bavarian beer can also be purchased.

What else do I need to know?

While entry is free into Winter Wonderland in the morning and early afternoons on certain days (normally weekdays), entry prices for peak times range from £5-£7.50.

Visitors will then need to pay if they want to go on any of the rides or experience any of the other attractions.

For example, ice rink tickets cost £17 for a full-paying adult and £11 for a child and entry into the Ice Kingdom costs £13 for a full-paying adult and £11.

Fast-track tickets on the Giant Wheel cost £16 per adult and £12 per child, cheaper tickets are available for those who don’t want to purchase fast-track.

Entry to Bar Ice cost £18 per person, with one cocktail included in the price.

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If you’re clever and book activities in advance online, you can get free entry into the park when you spend over £25.

Visitors can also purchase the Santaland Unlimited Ride Pass, which gives park-goers unrestricted access to over 12 family-friendly rides, including Race-O-Rama, Santaland Express Train, Winter Spinner, and Racing Coaster – although this is three rides less than last year.

The pass costs £25, and it includes free entry to Winter Wonderland.

A new Off-Peak offer is on the cards for 2024, with off-peak visitors unlocking 20 per cent of selected Magical Ice Kingdom and Ice Skating tickets.

Winter Wonderland will run for six weeks from November 21, 2024, until January 5, 2025.

It will be open from 10am until 10pm every day between those two dates, excluding Christmas Day.

The nearest London Underground stations to Hyde Park are Bond Street, Green Park, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Paddington, and Victoria.

Several bus routes will also get you there, and Paddington, Victoria, and Marylebone train stations are also nearby.

What’s it like to visit London’s Winter Wonderland?

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The Sun’s Travel reporter Hope Brotherton visited London’s Winter Wonderland last year, here’s what she thought…

THE smell of deep-fat fried batter wafts through the air, and bright, sometimes flashing, lights can be seen in every direction.

A mixture of pop songs and Christmas jingles also compete for some attention, which means I can only be in one place – London‘s Winter Wonderland.

It’s a sprawling maze of high-octane rollercoasters, funfair rides, wooden stalls, food vans, and other activities.

While there’s no real way to explore the festive attraction, I made a beeline for the Magical Ice Kingdom.

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Last year’s theme centred around Norse Mythology but I’m equally excited to see the Alice in Wonderland-themed ice carvings at this year’s attraction.

For me, another one of Winter Wonderland’s highlights was the Real Ice Slide – a 35m slope.

Despite being over in seconds, the Real Ice Slide was a true rush of fun.

Another one of Winter Wonderland’s highlights is the Giant Ferris Wheel, where park-goers are treated to spectacular views of both the park and the London Skyline.

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Journeys on the Ferris Wheel last around 15 minutes, making it well worth the wait.

No trip to Winter Wonderland is complete without riding at least one rollercoaster – and I opted for Munich Looping, the world’s largest transportable rollercoaster.

I gave several other rides a go, including the Haunted Mansion and the Traditional Wave Swinger.

I also had a good wander through the wooden market stalls, and I watched as other park-goers won prizes on one of the many funfair games.

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In the mean time, here is Butlin’s ‘ultimate Christmas holiday weekend’ launching this year.

And here are some affordable December city breaks you can still book.

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A VILLAGE in Cornwall is considered one of the most magical places to visit at Christmas.

Mousehole, just less than three miles south of Penzance, is transformed into a festive spectacle come beginning of December.

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Its annual Christmas lights adorn the harbour, usually from mid December.

But there’s not just a couple of lights – there’s an estimated 7,000 bulbs that light up every evening.

The lights, that illuminate the village until early January, started in 1963, and made Timeout’s list of best Christmas towns to visit this year.

They’ve now become a famous attraction., with around 30,000 people visiting them each year.

There are Christmas puddings, reindeer and even Santa’s sleigh.

The display also includes a 150-foot-long ‘Merry Christmas’ sign and a festive serpent.

People who have visited Mousehole for the lights have labelled them “iconic”.

One person took to Tripadvisor and wrote: “Lived in Cornwall for some years now, but never made it to the lights for various reasons!

“Today we did and giving braved the queues we park back on the road and walked in. Lights are very pretty and impressive with a very good duo singing next to the harbour. Very worthwhile put us in the Christmas mood for sure.”

Alongside the Christmas lights, there’s an annual festival on December 23rd called Tom Bawcock’s Eve.

It’s a yearly celebration that commemorates a local fisherman who risked his life to save his community from starvation.

According to the story, Tom Bawcock braved a Winter storm to fish and return to Mousehole with seven different types of fish. 

The villagers were so grateful that they baked a large pie with the fish, eggs, and potatoes, and the fish heads and tails stuck out of the top. 

The same pie, now known as ‘Stargazy Pie’, is still made today and eaten on December 23rd.

The pie is served at the only pub in Mousehole, The Ship Inn, once a year.

Other Christmas attractions near Mousehole include the Marazion to Mousehole coastal walk, a walk that offers views of some of West Cornwall’s best Christmas light displays.

The Eden Project is also not too far away and puts on a Christmas show with lights, lanterns, ice skating, and a Christmas fair.

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WHAT makes a great English village? Quaint thatched houses, a couple of cosy pubs and a ties to a huge national scandal that we celebrate centuries on?

Well if that’s the case, Dunchurch in Warwickshire has made the cut – and it’s just a short five-minute drive from Draycote Water, a huge sailing reservoir.

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When telling your kids about Guy Fawkes this November, the tiny village of Dunchurch would be lucky to even make it as a footnote, with the focus on places like the House of Lords and Lewes.

But the village pub, now known as Guy Fawkes House, played a significant role in the events of that day 419 year ago.

While the British soldier never stepped foot in the building, it is tied to the Gunpowder Plot.

Nowadays, Guy Fawkes House is a private home but back on November 5, 1605, it was the Old Lion Inn – a pub where several of the conspirators met to wait for news about the destruction of Westminster.

When Guy Fawkes was arrested, their plan to seize Princess Elizabeth from nearby Coombe Abbey was swiftly abandoned, leading to their defeat on November 8, 1605.

While visitors can’t enter the building, they can admire the blue plaque on the outside of the house that commemorates its ties to the Gunpowder Plot.

With just over 4,000 residents, there are just two pubs in the village, including the Dun Cow where the Gunpowder plotters also stayed.

The country pub is also named after a local myth, the Dun Cow was said to be a “monstrous” beast that provided milk to the locals until a witch made it go on a murderous rampage.

The story ends with the beast being slain by Guy, the Earl of Warwick.

Dunchurch’s other pub is the Green Man with other restaurants including Malancha and the Cinnamon Lounge.

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Further afield Draycote Water, a huge sailing reservoir is just a five-minute drive from Dunchurch.

The 240-hectare reservoir and country park draws its water from the River Leam.

Draycote Water is a popular spot for watersports, with activities like sailing, paddleboarding, windsurfing and powerboating all taking place on the reservoir.

For those who don’t want to go on the water, a flat five-mile pavement snakes around the circumference of the reservoir.

Parking charges apply and dogs are not permitted at Draycote Water.

Visitors who want to stay overnight in Dunchurch can book a room at the Dun Cow where prices start from £80 per night.

Dunchurch is a seven-minute drive from Rugby, and it’s also by bus with journeys taking just 10 minutes from the Warwickshire town.

What’s Rugby like?

The market town of Rugby is known for its ties to the sport of Rugby, with the game believed to have been invented gun in 1823 at Rugby School.

Rugby School was established in 1567 by Lawrence Sheriff, a wealthy grocer and courtier to Queen Elizabeth I.

Nowadays, tours of Rugby School take place for anyone who wants to explore more of the town’s history.

Other attractions include The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum, St. Andrew’s Church and Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

Another tiny village in the UK has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.

And an abandoned village in England only opens to tourists once a year.

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