Bedgebury at Christmas 2023 – Everything you need to know

Everything you need to know about Christmas at Bedgebury for 2023. Christmas light trails have grown in popularity in the last few years. And we have been fortunate to visit several in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. We have visited Bedgebury Pinetum for the illuminated trail for several years and this year was no different we had a brilliant evening at the Bedgebury Christmas Lights. Read all about our visit to the Christmas trails. If you are thinking of visiting this magical festive trail then here is everything you need to know before you go.

AD Press Tickets. We were invited to Christmas at Bedgebury for the purpose of this review. Everything you need to know about Christmas at Bedgebury. All words and opinions are my own. 

Everything you need to know about Christmas at Bedgebury

How to get to Christmas at Bedgebury

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest is located on the East Sussex and Kent border near Goudhurst. When we visited we drove, it is easy to reach off of the M25. Since the A21 bypass has been built you basically follow it all the way from junction five on the 25 until you see the brown signs. It is around twelve miles from Tunbridge Wells.

There is a bus which you can catch from Tunbridge Wells which will take you close but it does not run into the evening. There are a number of train stations close by which you can get a taxi from. The closest station in Etchingham. But Tunbridge Wells, Frant and Wadhurst are also close by. Although I would plan ahead and arrange a booking in advance, as the smaller stations may not have taxi ranks. 

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest postcode for sat nav is TN17 2SJ

Christmas at Bedgebury Tickets

Tickets are available through the SEE Tickets website. Prices start at £23.50 for adult tickets, over 2s are £16.50 with children 2 and under being free. They also offer a family ticket which are for two adults and two children including a carpark space for £79. Plus transaction fee. Friends of Forest England can also get a slight discount on the price. According to the website, it is possible to buy tickets on the day. But l would definitely book in advance due to the limited capacity, as a number of the dates for December are already sold out. I am expecting this year for it to be a very popular Christmas trail. Quiet access sessions of this magical experience are available, see the website for more details.

Parking at Christmas at Bedgebury

When you purchase you time slot tickets you will also need to add a parking space to your Bedgebury Pinetum Christmas ticket selection. The car park costs £10 and is either included in your family of four tickets or can be added to an adult ticket. You do get a reminder before you arrive but they will check that you have a parking ticket at the top of the entrance. So make sure you have it ready.

One of the things that we really liked about Bedgebury is that it is all on a hardstanding. The carpark is well lit and there is plenty of parking. Although you will be directed into spaces by the staff. Blue badge parking is also available near the entrance to the trail. You need to select this when you purchase your tickets. 

Food & Drink at Christmas at Bedgebury Pinetum Christmas

We came straight from school so the boys were both starving when we arrived. As you enter there is the Bedgebury café and visitors centre in front of you. For Bedgebury Chrstmas they have an outside kitchen selling hot dogs, roast pork baps, burgers, chunky chips and other seasonal snack options. They also have a vegan option. Two hot dogs with all the trimmings, two pork buns with apple sauce and two portions of chips came to £32.

There is also another place to get hot food near to the light display on the lake. It is well-signposted so you won’t miss it. Here there was a bit more choice with independent street food vendors. Selling similar options to the main cafe as well as the most amazing Mac N Cheese van. I can definitely recommend the truffle oil and bacon. Although they had other options too. A large portion cost £11. This year the trail is the opposite way round so you reach the other food stalls a lot quicker than in previous years.

There are also several opportunities to get an alcoholic drink along the trail. With more bars set along the majestic light trail. Along with the usual hot and cold drinks the boys loved the hot chocolate. I was impressed with the range of different local gins on offer. As well as mulled wine of course. There is also a stop on the trail where you can toast marshmallows on fire pits. There are three different flavours of tasty treats to choose from and cost £1.60 each. 

How long is the Bedgebury Christmas lights trail?

As you enter there is a map, which I would suggest taking a photo of. So that you can work out how close you are to amenities. Each display at Bedgebury Christmas lights is clearly signposted so it is easy to spot where you are. Unlike some other trails, we have been on, which always makes it easier when visiting with small people. You can also find out more about each seasonal colour display by scanning the QR code on the sign.

We spent just over two hours and probably could have spent a little longer enjoying the larger-than-life illuminations and seasonal soundtracks. On the website, it says the family-friendly one-mile winter trail takes about an hour and a half. But with little ones, it definitely takes longer and a number of the cars that arrived when we did were still in the carpark when we left. 

It is buggy-friendly and another plus point is that the pathway all around the trail is hard. With only an incline down by Father Christmas. Which you are warned about by a helpful steward. And then at the end of the trail back up to the visitor’s centre. But neither is significant. 

Bedgebury at Christmas what to expect

There is so much to see and many of the displays at Bedgebury Christmas lights are new surprises and different to the ones that I have seen elsewhere. Most importantly they are all different from last year with a magical new trail. 

Here is a brief rundown of favourite new installations and what to expect. I was delighted to see that there was a small fire garden, and the tunnels of light were as beautiful as ever.

The start of the trail is at the visitor centre, which is a good place to use the amenities before walking the Bedgebury Pinetum Christmas trail. Which starts by entering through a giant bauble bauble and seeing the National Conifer collection all lit up like Christmas trees.

The Light Installations

• Firefly – Set among the giant redwoods to Christmas music the trees are lit up in turn. Definitely worth waiting and watching it all the way through
• Spiral Trees – Giant neon light figurines including Christmas trees in bright colours. 
• BEDGEBURY – As you wander around the corner you will come across the giant Bedgebury sign nestled next to brightly coloured lit-up bushes.
• Aurora – This is a lovely installation where you walk under a canopy of light that moves along above your head in the colours of the aurora.
• On the Tide – The area down by the lake is always my favourite with fire lanterns and reflections. Many of the trees are lit up in jewel-like colour reflecting in the water.
• Pampas – This was one of my favourite new displays. Beautiful models of pampas grasses alternated between jewel-like colours. I stood for ages watching them they were so beautiful.
• Santa – Father Christmas is clearly signposted on the map. In an area which has plenty of space, it is the perfect way to catch a magical glimpse of Father Christmas who is very jolly this festive season. 

And more…

• Tree Stars – Giant stars set among the beautiful surroundings of Bedgebury Pinetum.
• Christmas Cathedral – Probably the most photographed place of any light trail. This tunnel of lights is particularly impressive with its super high arch. And we managed to get it to ourselves. 
• Vertical Rays of Light Tree Show – Similar to last year digital rain set to seasonal sounds amongst the natural landscape.
• Liquid Sky -This was a beautiful installation making the most of the unique canopies, you can stand and watch it for ages. At the end, you can see the sky lit up with all the colours of the rainbow.
• Cherry Trees – With trees planted on either side all lit up, the trail really does use the natural beauty of the pinetum.
• Shadow Land – This was quite fun as your shadows turned blue, yellow and magenta all at the same time. Harry in particular loved walking down the path and holding his arms out catching the different colours. 

Christmas at Bedgebury

We absolutely loved our visit to the after-dark trail with so much festive fun and making new memories. We had an unforgettable time, it was just as good as last Christmas if not better. Tickets are still available at selected dates through the rest of November into December. I would not hesitate to go again on this festive adventure. And because there are new lights each year I am sure it will feature on our Christmas calendar again next year.

I asked the husband what he thought and he said he likes this one because it is easy. Easy to get to, easy to park and easy to walk around there is something for visitors of all ages. For someone that normally finds inconveniences in everything. This is a big tick from him too. Find out more and book your tickets on the Christmas at Bedgebury website. 

Christmas at Bedgebury is run by Raymond Gubbay Ltd a division of Sony Music in conjunction with Forestry England. The production management company operates at various prestigious venues across the UK. Including Blenheim Palace (24th November to 31st of December) and Leeds Castle (24th November to 31st of December). Along with the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew and Edinburgh.

Have you visited Bedgebury Christmas lights or visited festive lights recently? I would love to hear about your experiences of visiting Bedgebury Pinetum at Christmas in the comments below.

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