KEW Gardens is renowned as a place you can unplug among the bustle of London.
But from November until January the world-famous becomes electrified – quite literally – in a fantastic extravaganza of multicoloured lights.
Caroline and her family went to a light-trail in a world famous gardenCredit: Caroline Iggulden
She said it might be the best Christmas light show in the countryCredit: Jeff Eden
annual light trail offers visitors the chance to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site in an entirely new way.
In recent years, many other outdoor attractions but this really is the original and arguably the best.
is always a hot ticket – – but there is still time to get tickets as the trail goes on until January 2026 so is an ideal activity for ‘Twixmas week.
It is a great family outing for all ages which will bewitch all ages-from grandparents to kids.
I took my two children aged 12 and 8 and they easily coped with the 3km loop.
This year’s trail starts at the and is perhaps the most spectacular yet and begins by taking visitors across a stunning new bridge from which they can admire 100 giant illuminated water lilies.
The botanic garden’s famous Chinese Pagoda is lit for the first time ever this year and stands like a shining beacon.
The ever-popular cathedral-like arch of lights is a photo opportunity not to miss.
And kids will also love bobbing and weaving through dangling tendrils of lights in another section.
Other fun surprises new to the route include a full dancefloor complete with giant light-up headphones offering a brilliant opportunity.
Caroline’s two sons ages 12 and 8 easily coped with the light trailCredit: Caroline Iggulden
Elsewhere, fun-fair horses that pop up among the garden’s atmospherically lit trees in hues of purple and silver.
And keep an eye out for a very special Christmas visitor who pops up towards the end of the route.
The finale of the trail is as stunning as ever with an awe-inspiring music and light show projected onto the Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse.
A musical mix from to bring to life this greenhouse which brims with some of the world’s rarest plants.
Around the garden are incredible light displays and instillationsCredit: Jeff Eden
You might even get a glimpse of Father ChristmasCredit: Unknown
Christmas at Kew offers a feast for the eyes-but also the tummy, much to the delight of my two mini-trailers.
There are multiple and drink stalls available along the way in wooden cabins, offering everything from gourmet burgers, Asian food, to Souvlaki wraps and mulled wine for me!
One delicious pitstop even offers marshmallow toasting over a fire pit.
My boys happily polished off giant hot dogs and mini waffle bites on the way round.
A trip to Kew after nightfall this wintertime will guarantee to see faces lit up as brightly as the gardens.
Christmas at Kew runs on selected dates until Sunday January 4, 2026.
Prices start at £18 for kids and £27.50 for adults.
For more on light trails, here’s .
And here’s the .
Every December the world-famous Kew Gardens lights up for ChristmasCredit: Luke Dyson
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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