We have families and first-time visitors but also a lot of our members come back and enjoy it by dark because again it’s a different experience that brings people together.”Īnd while there has been a general increase in visitors booking to see light trails, the pandemic has definitely boosted it, Fernandes-Lopes said. “It’s just a real wow factor for a lot of people. It’s really a unique experience for people to be able to come in through our gates at that time of night. So it’s definitely about making those memories together, as well as really seeing some of these historic properties after dark. “I’ve been there with my own children and just seeing their faces light up when the tree starts talking to them and telling them jokes is really quite special. “It’s definitely a bit of magic,” Fernandes-Lopes said. This year’s events at Audley End and Eltham Palace in London will feature elements such as projections, soundscapes and even a fire pit, complete with marshmallows. Emma Fernandes-Lopes, its head of historic properties for the east of England, said they were particularly designed around families. “Not only do they provide some much-needed festive cheer, but every single event provides valuable income for the participating properties, helping to keep these gardens and parks special for generations to come.”Įnglish Heritage has been running illuminated events since 2017 across its historical sites and has also seen a steep increase in their popularity. Katherine Hamlett, the National Trust’s project manager for the winter illuminations, said there was something “inherently festive” about the trails. So much so, in fact, this year the organisation has added Polesden Lacey in Surrey, which will be lighting its Edwardian gardens, and Killerton in Devon, which will display more than a million lights on its illuminated trail. The National Trust said its winter light trails were “incredibly popular” last year at venues such as Belton House in Lincolnshire and Gibside in Tyne and Wear. The grounds, designed by Capability Brown and maintained by English Heritage, are one of dozens of venues across the country playing host to magical family-friendly light trails this winter – a trend that is becoming increasingly popular.ĭeprived of revenue in the pandemic, more and more stately homes, parks and gardens are turning to light trails to boost income over the winter and provide much-needed cheer. Glittering strings of festoon lights decorate trees, the reflection of thousands of sparkling bulbs dance on the surface of the River Cam and the formal gardens are bathed in ethereal colours. Winding along the wintry footpath at Audley End House and Gardens in Essex, visitors might be forgiven for thinking they had entered a fairytale kingdom.

Guardians of the light wow