A magical winter walk at Luminate Sandringham

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The festive season has officially started here in Norfolk and there are so many great things to do. Luminate Sandringham is one of our festive favourites and we couldn’t wait to go back this year.

Booking tickets

Luminate Sandringham is open from 11th November to 24th December 2023. Tickets must be purchased in advance online and some of the most popular time slots sell out quite quickly. Time slots can be booked from 4:30 all the way up to 8pm and the trail closes at 10pm. If you miss your timeslot, you may be unable to access the light trail.

2023 Prices

Getting to Luminate Sandringham

Information from Sandringhamestate.co.uk

By car

Sandringham is 6 miles north-east of King’s Lynn and is signposted from the A148 Fakenham road and the A149 Hunstanton road.

Newer satellite navigation systems should recognise the Royal Park’s postcode of PE35 6AB.

The North and West car parks are open all year for parking. On event days and at busy times, we may open other car parks on site. Please follow signs and directions from our staff and do not park your vehicle anywhere except in designated car parks. Parking charges apply.

By bus

The bus stop for Sandringham is in the Royal Park.

To King’s Lynn

National Express run coaches to King’s Lynn Bus Station, for detailed timetables and enquiries please phone 0871 781 8181 or visit www.nationalexpress.com

From King’s Lynn

Bus number 35 from King’s Lynn Bus Station or from Hunstanton.
Tel: 01553 611955 (Lynxbus)

By train

The nearest train station is King’s Lynn (6 miles approximately), where you can connect to the First bus service.
King’s Lynn train station has the following connections:

• London (Kings Cross): Hourly service to and from King’s Lynn
• Peterborough: Hourly service to and from King’s Lynn
• Norwich: Hourly service to and from King’s Lynn

Luminate Sandringham

Luminate Sandringham is set in historic parkland, as part of His Majesty’s private estate. This captivating light trail starts not too far from the car park and the courtyard. A good tip would be to use the toilets at the courtyard before you start your journey around the winter light trail. When you’re ready to start your enchanting journey, you’ll find a hut at the start where you can check-in, ready for a magical evening.

The Luminate light trail is a clearly marked trail and there’s no way to get lost as you walk around. You can also hear the ambient music as you go around, so you’ll know where you’re supposed to be. There are stewards dotted around at various points, keeping an eye on anything and answering any questions if you have them. The different lighting elements really help to guide the way as you’re taken from one set up to another. 

From the minute you arrive at Luminate Sandringham, you can feel the magic and love put into this outdoor light trail. There are so many different areas, with beautiful music playing in the background and it was just so stunning to walk around. You’ll see all sorts from magical fairies, to disco balls to huge light tunnels. Everywhere you look there is something magical and at every point you’ll find yourself looking to see what else you can find. Both adults and children will be mesmerised by the stunning displays and the magic that comes with them. 

At various points in the trail you’ll find some interactive areas, which we really enjoyed. This year there’s the Make A Wish station and a game where you can battle with different beams of light. I would love to say that these are just for the kids but they’re not. We found the adults to be having just as much fun in these areas. I think these kinds of extras are part of what makes this experience so wonderful. Of course, the lights on their own are great but this adds that little something extra and gives everyone something to do. 

The halfway point

At the midway point of the light trail there’s great place to stop and have a break. Here you will find toilets as well as somewhere to buy hot drinks such as hot chocolate, mulled wine or coffees. The wine kiosk usually has a queue but it moves quickly! You can also buy marshmallows to toast on the fire pits (which have ropes around to create barriers). For £2.50, Erin got 2 large marshmallows on a long stick, making it safe for her to be around the fire. It has become a tradition of ours to toast marshmallows and warm up at this part of the trail. 

How long is the trail?

On average, the trail takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes, depending on how long you stop along the way. This is an event for the whole family so you may find that with younger children, you take a bit longer. You’re free to take your time though once you enter the trail and there’s no rushing from one area to the next. 

What else is there to do?

Christmas Tree Maze *New for 2023*

Close to the entrance to the light trail you’ll find the wonderful Sandringham Christmas tree maze. This is one of the new additions for 2023 but there is an additional cost for this attraction. The maze is a lovely way to start your experience at Sandringham. The illuminated trail sees you follow lit up Christmas trees around the maze until you reach the middle. Here, you’ll be able to take photos and enjoy the snowy festivities. Expect to pay £4 per person, with the maze lasting around 15 minutes. 

Food and drink

In the same area as the vintage fairground you’ll also find a range of food vendors. These may vary from year to year but in 2023 there were the following: chips, pizza, churros and a variety of sausages and burgers. 

Prices are in line with this kind of event and you can expect to pay around £9-10 for a pizza, £7 for cheesy chips and around £8-10 for a burger or sausage. 

Vintage fairground

In the courtyard you’ll find a vintage fairground, run by Henry Chipperfield. You’ll find classic rides such as a helter skelter, Ferris wheel and vintage carousel, which are great family favourites. You can buy tokens for the fairground online at the same time as buying your tickets. Expect to pay around £10 for 4 rides.

It’s really hard to put into words just how wonderfulLuminate Sandringham is. Since our first visit last year, it has quickly become one of our favourite Christmas events. There’s something for the whole family and it’s bound to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Festive things to do in Norfolk

• The Cromer Pier Show
• Light trail at Blickling
• Luminate Sandringham
• See a panto at the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre