Blickling Estate: Garden of Lights (National Trust)

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If you love a walk around a National Trust property, take a look at Blickling‘s Garden of Lights event. Find a new way to discover a beautiul National Trust estate and experience the joy of Christmas

Event dates and times

Blickling’s Garden of Lights event runs from Saturday 30 November to Sunday 15 December. Time slots start at 5pm, with last entry at 6:30-6:45. Closing time is 8pm.

Ticket prices

All tickets must be pre-booked online. National Trust members must also buy tickets for this event.

• Adult  £18
• Child* £10
• Family ticket (1 adult, up to 3 children) £32
• Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) £50
• Free carer tickets are available on request.

*Children under five go free but still require a ticket.

Parking at Blickling

As part of your pre-booked ticket to Blickling’s Garden of Lights parking is included. The main car park at Blickling is quite large, with lots of space. 

​Accessibility

This winter light trail has tried to include as many people as possible by including an accessible route. The trail is around 1 mile long, with options to follow a route with or without steps. This is fantastic for wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs or prams or those who use an electric scooter. Some areas even have accessible matting. 

For an accessible toilet, you can find a Changing Place available in the Farmyard.

About Blickling’s Garden of Lights

Our biggest fundraiser of the year returns in 2024! Enter down the spectacular front drive for an evening of colourful displays and illuminations, taking you on a journey through the seasons on a new accessible level route. Step into summer in the Walled Garden, autumn on the parade, winter on the acre and the brightness of spring up at the Temple. All the seasons will be featured on the Parterre, where there will be family activities to enjoy and a chance to make lasting memories together.

Head to the festive Farmyard for food and drinks, or stop along the route and soak up the atmosphere under the stretch tent as you enjoy mince pies and warming drinks.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blickling-estate/

A winter walk at Blickling

This year the trail starts on the main walkway, close to the front of the house. You can check in with the helpful staff and you’ll soon be on your way around the trail.

This year, the trail starts in the walled garden and works though the four different seasons. You’ll see a range of light installations from sparkly tunnels, huge dandelions and wheat fields to huge light displays on the side of Blickling Hall. There are boards to read as you go around, with details about Blickling during the different seasons.

I absolutely loved the light show on the house and in the garden with the fountain. The classical music was so dramatic and timed well with the light changes. We stood and watched this for quite some time, waiting to see what would happen next.

Along the trail you’ll also find games and fun things to do, which is great for families visiting. Along with musical mushrooms, a shadow puppet theatre and a game about birds, there’s loads to do. It’s so nice that little things like this have been included and that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This is an outdoor event and as such, you can end up being in all kinds of weather. We had some very heavy rain which was unfortunately but we were still able to enjoy the evening. A lot of the paths are quite flat and there are boards put down in some places to help it stop being slippery and dangerous. Be sure to check the weather carefully before your visit and take umbrellas just in case.

Festive farmyard

At the end of the trail, you’ll find a selection of hand-picked street food vendors in the festive farmyard.

On the day of our visit there were three different food vendors as well as a bar. We could choose from smash burgers, freshly cooked pizza and waffles with cream and ice cream. It was nice to see a few smaller options (like a smaller burger) or just chips, which are perfect for kids.

How long can you expect to spend doing the trail?

Our time slot started at 5 pm and we got to the festive farmyard at around 6:30 pm. I would suggest that around 2 hours is the ideal length of time, especially if you’re visiting with children. 

Would we go back?

Blicking is a great place to visit no matter what time of year it is. However, I think there’s something really special about visiting at Christmas and seeing everything all lit up. What’s great is that this year was different from 2023, so you’re paying to see something completely new! I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year.

Festive things to do in Norfolk