IGNITE at Nymans National Trust – everything you need to know

IGNITE at Nymans National Trust everything you need to know. Nymans is the closest National Trust property to where we live and one of our favourites. We are big fans of the National Trust having membership now for almost ten years. So when I saw that they were bringing the IGNITE trail to Nymans I booked right away. It is not often you get a light trail in Sussex. Especially as it is in February when quite frankly we all need hearing up. Having visited IGNITE at Poledon Lacey at Christmas I did wonder if it would just be a replica. Yes, there are similarities but they have also added some additional displays which are very well-timed. This is what we thought of the light trail at Nymans.

IGNITE at Nymans National Trust everything you need to know

How to get to Nymans National Trust

Nymans is located in the village of Handcross in West Sussex. Just off of the A23 it is easy to find and signposted from the main road. There is also a nice pub called the Red Lion in the village centre if you are looking for a meal beforehand. The village is on the bus route so you could potentially get a bus it would just depend if they are running into the evening. 

Nymans postcode for the sat nav is – RH17 6EB

Parking at IGNITE Nymans National Trust

Parking is limited at Nymans. This popular National Tryst often has trouble in the Summer when everyone wants to visit. They have extended the car park in recent times but it can still get crowded. When I brought our tickets I ticked the box for a free parking space. Our ticket time was 5.45 pm and there was plenty of parking. With people on hand to direct you where to park. There was obviously a method in place. With places being filled up in order. The hope is that people will leave around a similar time after completing the trail leaving that area of the car park free for those with a later ticket. When we left it seemed to be working. 

Food & Drink at IGNITE Nymans – light trail in Sussex 

We met friends to go around the trail together. So decided to visit the Red Lion first as mentioned above. However, if you want to you can eat at the light trail Nymans. There is one area where you can pick up food and a drink. It is about halfway around the trail, just past the main house. 

There is a stall selling waffles and mulled wine, another selling coffee and cake and the third selling chips and chicken. A mulled wine costs £6. There is also the opportunity to buy marshmallows for toasting. They cost £1.50 each and come in three flavours. Salted caramel, candy floss and vanilla. We sat for a while, as the kids toasted marshmallows.  All of the eating and drink establishments are brought in and although there is normally a National Trust van in the same area this was shut. The cafe at the entrance was open when we visited, although empty.

How long is the trial at IGNITE Nymans National Trust

We arrived at 5.45 pm and left just before 7. We did sit for a while having a mulled wine and marshmallows. I would say it is probably the shortest light trail we have tried out to date. But I liked the compact nature of it. There was always something interesting to see and it kept the kids amused. We also stopped to take pictures all the way around. The paths are quite narrow in places so you do feel a little under pressure to move on. 

I am not sure how busy it was compared to having all the tickets sold. As when we visited the box office was still open and you could have brought tickets on the evening if you wanted. The box office is located in the little ice cream stall in the outside eating area next to the garden centre element. The main gift shop is also open but we managed to avoid that. 

As you enter Nymans from the back of the garden centre you are presented with a picture of a map. Which gives you details of where the food stop is and all the things to keep an eye out for as you navigate your way around. There are plenty of people about to help point you in the right direction. Especially as the trail crosses over like a figure of eight in one place. 

Do the kids get lanterns to carry at light trail at Nymans?

Yes. The boys were given a good-sized solar power lantern each at the entrance. Although I am not sure why by they did not have a handle. That made for an interesting carrying technique. And of course, the boys quickly figured out how to turn them on and off! There is an element of the trail where they hand the lanterns in and then pick them back up again. It seems that they are available for the darkest parts of the trail. 

It was good that they got them back again. As it stopped any grumpiness when they had to give them in. It was good to see when we picked them back up again they had a handle. This made them a lot easier to carry. 

IGNITE Nymans National Trust what to expect

There are a number of different areas within the trail. All of them are slightly different, and all quite close together. They pack a lot in! Some of the highlights are below:

• The first area you come to is a woodland area with little fantasy scenes set up that include toad stalls, fairies and other mythical beasts.
• There are several fire globes dotted along the trail which have intricate carvings.  Many of the torches are made of paraffin. More than we have seen elsewhere.  
• There is an interesting light installation as you come up to the house. Which looks like giant rock crystals in multiple colours.
• The house itself is all lit up red, with a sea of fire in front of it. A metal dragon which looks although it has set light to the gardens in front of the house is well place. 
• There are a number of wicker animal and flower related displays as well – including a giant red robin and a badger.  Flowers featured heavily throughout and the fields of white roses was a favourite. Especially as the children could fit behind them for a photo. 
• We came across some pink blossom trees on the way to what has to be the best light installation of the walk. As you leave you are treated by an archway of lights that looks like a heart. It was very special and perfectly timed for Valentines Day!

READ MORE – 10 National Trust Places to visit in Sussex

Review – IGNITE Nymans National Trust

We had a great time at the light trail at Nymans. Although we have visited Nyamns more times than I can remember. But this is th first light trail in Sussex we have visited. To see it at night with the lights and fire is a real treat. It is not the longest light trail we have been on but I think it could be one of my favourites. We really liked that there were some displays that we have not seen elsewhere. Especially with the heart walk at the end. I wish I had brought my proper camera! Tickets costus £11.25 each with free parking. This is partly because we are National Trust members but compared to the price of other light trails I think it is reasonably priced. And it is so nice to do something this time of year. 

Have you visited a light trail yet this year?

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