best christmas light trail?

[anibendod]

a few years ago my auntie and I visited Blenheim Palace for the christmas light trail. Since then we have also tried Waddesdon Manor and our local one in Cardiff Bute Park but nothing has quite compared to the wow factor at Blenheim.

Where are the best Christmas light trails in the south that offer serious festive feels? We're open to an overnight visit for something special, but I'd prefer to be within a 3 hour driving distance of Cardiff (roughly speaking, as far south as Exeter, east towards London or north towards Birmingham).

Is Kew within your limit?
It is different every year, has a fair as well as the lights, and the food is decent, though limited.
I have been lucky with the weather for 3 years!

thanks for your reply

I'd certainly consider it, as we'd easily find plenty to do in London to make it an overnighter. We could potentially go up by bus to save me driving. How long does the trail take to walk in your experience?

Are there any other Chrismassy things in London town you'd recommend? We've done Winter wonderland previously but wouldn't rush to go back. Ice skating definitely not on the agenda, we'd make bambi look like a pro skater!!!

A walk through takes about 45 mins, but there is a fair half way along (or there always has been).
They dress up the trees and have light shows in the grass, and music, so you could take longer. There is no limit to the number of time you can walk it, so once you have been through, you could do it again.
The Kew shop will be open, and the restaurant will serve a limited menu. Champagne if you fancy a treat.
I'm sorry, but I don't know much about London - I take a coach trip from Kent and do the Kew light trail that way.

Shame that Exeter is your limit distance. The light trail at lost gardens of Heligan are wonderful if you can push it a bit further down

Or make a weekend of it

Distance wise it SHOULD be within range, but the pinch points of the m4 and m5 we have to deal with mean that it is often more like a 4 hour run each way. At such a busy time of the year, it's just a smidge too far to be practical.

I've looked at some pictures online and whilst it does look incredibly pretty, similar to Longleat, a lot of the lanterns aren't as Christmassy as I'm looking for. Longleat's theme this year for example includes dinosaurs and Egyptian pyramids.

Thank you for taking the time to respond :)

We went to Longleat safari park a few years back, it was amazing. You do the safari park drive first and then get out to walk around the lantern display.

Kew. Hands down.

We did Blenheim the year after and thought very poor in comparison.

Birmingham botanical gardens is usually lovely

Margam if you're in cardiff? We normally do Blenheim but have done margam before and are just doing margam this year for a change and to save the drive.

Kew Gardens.

Westonbirt Arboretum is fantastic, much much better than Bute Park and Margam (Cardiff resident too!)

Warwick Castle is great

Kew is BRILLIANT! But if you’re wanting the shop, pick an early ish time slot- it’s usually been shut when I’ve got to the end 😟

Second recommendation for warwick castle :)

Like others have said, Kew is great.

If you decided on Kew Christmas Trail (which surpasses every Lights Trail I've been on by a mile), better book tickets now as they sell out quickly

Not quite what you’re looking for but last year we went on an open top London bus tour to see the lights in town.
There was a guide who gave a running commentary about the history of the lights and the famous London shops.

We did go to Kew the year it opened but it looks like year on year it has improved and expanded, I will go back maybe next year . They do start selling early and sell out quickly

Winter Wonderland is way too busy for me now

Wisely Gardens. Just like Kew, except lots of free parking!

We did Wisley light trail a few years ago, and it was very good. Probably a bit far for you though.

We also did the London bus tour of the lights, which was also very good.