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The Best Christmas Light Trails in Kent 2024

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The Best Christmas Light Trails in Kent 2024

It is November so it can only mean one thing it is the Christmas Light Trail season! We absolutely love visiting light displays and over the years we have visited a fair few Winter lights. In fact, it has become a proper family Christmas tradition for us with lots of festive fun. And since we are heading into November many Christmas light trails in Kent have tickets on sale now. All of these magically illuminated trails are based in Kent.

Over the years we have visited many light shows in our local area including Christmas Light Trails in Sussex and Christmas Light Trails in Surrey. All these are within easy driving distance of Kent should you also wish to travel further afield this festive season.

As ever I will try and give more information about Christmas light trails in Kent as more information is released. However, if you are aware of any new installations, new displays or festive trails then please do let me know in the comments and I will get them added to this article.

Bedgebury Pinetum

Our favourite Christmas Light show in Kent and one of the best places – Christmas at Bedgebury Pinetum 2024 – Everything you need to know. We visited the Christmas trail for the first time in 2021 in the enchanted woodland and we have returned every year since. This is a longer trail than most so you really feel as though you get your money’s worth. Divided into different areas, several tunnels of lights all with distinctly different installations it is a joy to walk around.
We especially enjoyed the Christmas trees projected onto the pines, the tunnels of light, a fire garden and the woods all lit up in jewel-like colour. There were also some laser shows in all colours of the rainbow with sound effects and ambient music over the lake. It is such a captivating light trail.
There are several places to pick up food and drinks along the way with independent street food vendors.
The rainbow light show on the ground at the end was my absolute favourite we had such an unforgettable time.
Run by Sony Music and Raymond Gubbay Ltd, so consequently, there are similarities with the magical illuminated trail at Kew Gardens.
Parking needs to be booked in advance

More Information

Location – Bedgebury National Pinetum, Bedgebury Forest, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ
Dates & Times – Run by Forestry England. Selected dates from the 15th of November 2024 to the 1st of January 2025. Timed slots from 4.15 pm to 8 pm in 15-minute intervals.
Ticket Prices – Prices vary depending on the date and time of tickets selected. Adult tickets cost between £17.00 and £25.00, and children between £12.00 and £18.00 with those aged 2 and under are free. It is possible to buy a family ticket for two adults and two children costs between £55.00 and £83.00. A parking ticket costs £8.00 and you need to select it when purchasing a ticket. Ride vouchers can also purchased in advance at a cost of two vouchers for £5.
More Info – https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury/christmas

Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle

Last year a new Christmas light trail in Kent arrived at historic Leeds Castle. Many people do not even realise that the historic castle is in fact in Kent! The light trail which is run by the same people that are responsible for Kew, Bedgebury and Blenheim was a real show-stopper.
Now in its third year, you can also combine it with a trip to the castle itself to see the rooms all dressed for Christmas. In 2023 it will have a Nutcracker theme.
To see the enchantment of the castle, a magical glimpse of Father Christmas. With the larger-than-life light installations head to Leeds Castle Christmas Lights 2024 for a one-mile winter trail.
Expect large light installations, the castle all lit up and plenty of festive cheer. With seasonal snack s from hand-picked street food vendors and Christmas music playing.

More Information

Location – Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1RG
Dates & Times – Selected date from the 22nd November 2024 to the 1st January 2025. Timed slots from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm in 15-minute intervals.
Ticket Prices – Prices vary depending on the date and time of tickets selected. Adult tickets cost between £18 and £24 and children between £13 and £17 with those aged 2 and under are free. It is possible to buy a family ticket for two adults and two children costs between £59 and £79. A parking ticket costs £7 and you need to select it when purchasing a ticket.
More Info – https://leeds-castle.com/events/christmas-lights-at-leeds-castle/

Christmas at Hever Castle

My parents got married at Hever Castle so it has always held special memories. But for the last three years, we have visited at Christmas time to visit the Winter lights trail. Loving it so much we even booked to see Father Christmas.
Their light trail is beautiful and takes you through the walled garden and around Hever Castle’s much-loved landmarks. With glitter balls and a dazzling array of multicoloured lights. Last year they also had some huskies which Charlie adored. However my favourite is seeing the front of the castle lit up. New for 2023 there is a train as well as a Ferris wheel. The fairground rides cost extra.
With festive food and hot drinks on offer. As well as the after-dark light trail they have a Christmas daytime trail. A beautifully lit-up Ferris wheel, it is a lovely quieter Christmas experience. And one of our favourites. Both gift shops are also open.
You can also combine your tickets with visiting inside the castle.
If you want to see Father Christmas then this one which you really do need to book well in advance for when Christmas tickets are released. Due to the limited capacity, it is a sell-out each year.
Read all about our visit here – Christmas at Hever Castle there really is something for visitors of all ages.

More Information

Location – Hever Castle, Hever, TN8 7NG
Dates & Times – Runs on various dates from the 22nd of November 2024 to the 3rd of January 2025. You need to select a time slot from 11.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you purchase a daytime ticket then you need to leave by 6 pm. The lights come on at 4 pm. A twilight ticket allows you to stay until closing which is 8 pm.
Ticket Prices – Adult tickets cost £26.50 plus a £1 booking fee, children are £16.50 with a 60p booking fee. Members have reduced entry and parking is free although limited. Please see details on the website as there are several types of tickets available.
Additional information – https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/hever-castle-christmas/

Glow at Cobtree Manor Park

DETAILS YET TO BE RELEASED FOR 2024
‘Nature After Dark’. The immersive, night-light trail has installations, designed and created by a wide range of local light artists and inspired by the nocturnal landscape.
The stars of the show are the sparkling light installations within the illuminated underwater seascapes and spectacular light projections.
There is festive food, tasty treats and plenty of drinks on offer in the Food Village.
At the time of booking, you can also select to see Father Christmas although tickets are limited.

More Information

Location – Forstal Rd, Aylesford, Maidstone, ME20 7AG
Dates & Times – Tickets have not been released for 2024. Timed slots run from 4 pm to 8 pm. The first two slots 4 pm and 4.15 pm are reserved for relaxed sensory sessions.
Ticket Prices – I really like how they have included the booking fees in the ticket prices. Adults cost £17.74, children £12.36 with those aged 2 and under are free. They also offer a family ticket of £53.22 which is for two adults and two children. If you want to add a visit to Father Christmas to your experience this costs an additional £5.37 and is for one adult and one child. Meetings with Father Christmas are on a group basis. You also need to book a car parking ticket which also costs £5.37 with the booking fee.
More Info – https://glowarts.seetickets.com/timeslot/glow-cobtree-manor-park

Enchanted Walmer

We are members of English Heritage and first discovered Walmer Castle during a very wet October half-term after lockdown. It is a lovely little castle which we totally fell in love with.
It is not a large castle but has some beautiful gardens. Tickets must be booked in advance even for members. There is a small car park with free parking.
Produced by the award-winning team at Kilimanjaro Live and in partnership with English Heritage, Christmas at Walmer Castle will see a stunning lighttrail brought to the Tudor fortress turned country house on the gorgeous Kent coast just outside of Deal, for the first time this year.

More information

Location – Warmer Castle, Deal, CT14 7LJ
Dates & Times – Dates for 2024 have not been released this year. Time slots are every half an hour from 4 pm with the last entry at 8 pm.
Ticket Prices – Tickets vary depending on dates and times chosen. Peak tickets cost £28.25 for adults, a child costs £21.25 with under 3s are free.
More Info – Tickets available from www.christmasatwalmercastle.com/

Tonbridge Castle

Illuminate Tonbridge is a magical, family-friendly event that will light up the grounds of Tonbridge Castle this winter. This spectacular interactive light trail will feature a variety of captivating lights & installations, including a Christmas market and an Alpine bar. A brand new festive trail for 2024,
There is also a Christmas Market with over 30 stalls for you to visit, offering a range of products. There is also a food court

More information

Location – Tonbridge Castle, Castle St, Tonbridge TN9 1BG
Dates & Times – Selected dates from the 24th of November 2024 to the 29th of December. Time slots are every fifteen minutes an hour from 4 pm with the last entry at 8 pm.
Ticket Prices – Adult tickets cost £17.50, a child costs £13 with under 2s are free. Plus booking fees.
More Info – https://www.illuminatetrails.co.uk/eventdetails