One Of The UK’s Best Christmas Light Trails Is Less Than An Hour From London – It Turns Into A Glowing Winter Fairytale With 2,000 Hand-Made Lanterns And 13,000 Sparkly Lights

The UK's best Christmas light trail is under an hour away from London and it was recently named in The Time's list of best Christmas light trails in the UK.

Vaishnavi Pandey - Staff Writer • 18 December, 2025

glow wild wakehurst light installation simulation — Credit: Kew

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Imagine strolling through a frosty Sussex woodland as twilight fades, where thousands of glowing lanterns flicker like fireflies caught in a fairytale. That’s the magic of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew’s Sussex gem that’s lighting up the season with a fresh trail for 2025.

The UK’s best Christmas light trail is under an hour away from London

Glow Wild at Wakehurst ranks among the UK’s top Christmas light trails for 2025, transforming the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew’s Sussex site into a dazzling winter wonderland. Running from November 27 2025 to January 3 2026, the event features a brand-new trail with over 2,000 hand-made lanterns from international artists.

Visitors wander a woodland path illuminated by twinkling lights, including the new “Moon River” – a shimmering flow of 13,000 programmed lights evoking a moonlit journey through nature. Standouts include fantastical animals, giant mythical sea creatures, and reimagined woodland wildlife, plus projections on the Elizabethan Mansion and a towering Redwood Christmas tree adorned with 1,800 energy-saving bulbs.

The trail offers interactive elements like borrowing hand-made lanterns and festive selfie spots under moon and stars displays.

You can also enjoy street food under the Christmas tree, from mac’n’cheese and bratwurst to hot drinks, with fire-pits for toasting marshmallows in Christmas flavours. Storytellers add enchantment along the route.

Why this Christmas trail in Wakehurst is among the UK’s best

colourful festive light installations at glow wild christmas trail — Credit: Kew

It was recently named in The Times list of 19 of the best UK Christmas light trails for 2025. Glow Wild’s unique botanic setting and fresh annual designs set it apart from rivals such as Christmas at Kew or Blenheim Palace. Its focus on nature-inspired art and family memories makes it Sussex’s unmissable festive outing.

How to get there from London

a mother holding their child in front of lit up lanterns at a christmas light trail — Credit: Kew

Catch a direct train from London Victoria or Thameslink stations to Haywards Heath (42-50 minutes, from £7.50), then hop on the 272 bus (10 minutes) or taxi to Wakehurst. Driving takes about 1 hour via M25/M23 and there’s free onsite parking. Coaches run from central London too.

Open 4pm to 10pm (times vary), tickets must be pre-booked via the Kew website.