Lighting up the Cotswolds: magical winter walks
WORDS BY Tracy SpiersIf you’re staying in the Cotswolds during the winter months, there are several fabulous festive light trails and illuminated walks in some of our most enchanted settings.
So, get the bobble hats out, boots on and wrap-up warm ready to admire the twinkling lights that transform our woods, forests, and stately homes into something truly magical.
Sudeley Castle
The Castle’s stunning grounds, near Cheltenham, play host to the beautiful Spectacle of Light over the festive period. This amazing light trail illuminates the Castle’s glorious gardens, romantic ruins, and majestic trees and leads audiences into a dreamlike world, bringing magical stories to life by creating expertly designed illuminations and immersive installations. This year audiences can meet iconic characters from The Sleeping Beauty and follow the narrative. The Princess has fallen into a deep sleep for 100 years and the spell will not be broken until the heroic Prince finds and awakens her. Along the magical enchanted light trail, meet the wicked fairy, who has cast a spell on the Princess, and the good fairies trying to save her. It’s nail-biting stuff.
Sip festive warmers of spiced mulled wine and sprinkled hot chocolate as you join the 1600 metre trail (estimated time 60-75 minutes) around these beautiful grounds and tuck into some great hot food and delicious doughnuts from the Castle Terrace. Before leaving, why not enjoy a warming drink and visit the castle’s gift shop for Christmas inspiration and gifts. Spectacle of Light is open on selected evenings between 22nd November until 30th December (entry times from 4.45pm onwards.)
Blenheim Palace
Turning from castle to palace, Blenheim Palace Illuminated Trail in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, is an exceptional after-dark trail which once again sees Blenheim’s historic palace and gardens come alive with a multitude of glowing lights, sparkling baubles, seasonal sounds, and scents. Wander in the picture-perfect gardens of Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace and discover heart-shaped arches glittering in the moonlight, glowing star-filled tunnels and an eight-metre sphere filled with more than 20,000 moving LEDs as well as a magical glimpse of Father Christmas.
Enjoy the return of the dancing reflections in the colourful Cascades and magical Lakeside Walk and take a moment to pause at mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden. Grab a festive bite from independent street food vendors in the East Courtyard or buy a spiced winter warmer, hot chocolate or toasted marshmallow to share with someone special. The magic extends inside with Neverland® in the Palace where the State rooms are decorated for a swashbuckling adventure in Neverland – a place bursting with magic and make believe. Follow Tinkerbell as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees, wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon. JM Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929 and through this event, Blenheim Palace will support the work of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Blenheim Palace Illuminated Trail runs from 15th November until 1st January.
Painswick Rococo Garden
The Enchanted Garden takes places in Painswick Rococo Garden, near Painswick, Gloucestershire – an 18th-century gem, designed to enthral and delight. With its intriguing follies dotted around a hidden valley, surprises are around every corner which makes it the perfect setting for a magical fairy-tale night. Prepare for a truly enchanting evening and a twinkling wonderland full of mystical creatures, charmingly lit up to captivate visitors of all ages. Take time to stop and listen carefully to hear wildlife whispering secrets and the gentle babble of the stream guiding you into the mysterious woodland.
During your stroll along winding pathways and through subtly lit woodland, you’ll encounter graceful fairies twirling among the giant dandelions, their wings shimmering; look out for playful boggarts, their tricks and pranks adding fun to surprise you. Encounter majestic unicorns with glowing horns and gentle presence and meet welcoming dragons, whose warm, glowing breath and kind eyes will charm you. The Enchanted Garden is open from 29th November until 2nd January. Sensory Sensitive sessions are available at 4pm on 30th November and 1st, 12th and 19th. (Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome; children under four are free.)
Westonbirt Arboretum
The illuminated trail, Christmas at Westonbirt, near Tetbury is the perfect opportunity to explore thousands of trees from all over the world in a completely new light – in fact the whole spectrum of the rainbow. This year the national arboretum has teamed up with the award-winning, internationally acclaimed light trail producers behind Christmas at Kew, Christmas at Bedgebury, and Christmas at Blenheim to bring a new experience to Westonbirt.
Westonbirt’s new trail includes a chance to discover luminous birds delicately balanced on branches, colourful neon trees, sparkling tunnels of light and a magical glimpse of Father Christmas. Why not grab a seasonal snack from the Christmas village or street food vendors and complete your walk under the stars, enjoying a festive spiced winter-warmer, hot chocolate or toasted marshmallow. Christmas at Westonbirt illuminated trail takes place from 29th November until 31st December (time slots vary by date).
forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum
Cotswold Farm Park
The Enchanted Light Trail at Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham adds a unique twist to its illuminated walk due to the addition of
animal interaction, a fire-pit and marshmallow toasting. The trail itself showcases illuminations, installations, and marvellous creations with plenty of selfie opportunities. Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is a family farm where rare breeds thrive, and this enchanting quirky after-dark stroll is a definite must for animal lovers.
You’ll get chance to feed the livestock their evening snacks before they settle down for the night in the twinkling festive Animal Barn before setting out on the illuminated trail through the paddocks, stopping off to warm up by the firepit and enjoy a cheeky toasted marshmallow before exploring the transformed woodland where the trail reaches a glittering finale. The Enchanted Light Trail runs on selected evenings from 22nd November to 31st December.
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