Christmas At Belton Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Alexander Wilde
On a clear and crisp Friday evening, my family and I had the pleasure of attending the opening of ‘Christmas at Belton’. An award winning, popular and accessible illuminated light trail through the grounds of the majestic Belton House. This is the glittering gem in a wider festive experience and attractions for visitors. Belton House is one of our favourite National Trust places in the East Midlands, so we were delighted to usher in the Christmas season there.
Arriving by car, just after 6pm, we were greeted by a wonderful festive atmosphere. Twinkling trees, teases of lights and lasers, that unmistakable Christmas glow, and an illuminated House led us to the ample parking (don’t forget to book this in advance too, even if you are National Trust member).
A short walk took us to the stable yard which had been transformed into a bustling food market, complete with all the holiday trappings, December tunes, and lit nostalgically by traditional fairground rides. The helter skelter and ferris wheel were radiant and warmed the spirit.
As it was tea-time, we decided to treat ourselves to some food and enjoy the atmosphere before beginning the trail. This was a costly mixed bag, but as not to detract from the main review, my thoughts on this are at the end.
From the moment the trail begins, Belton’s grounds become a tapestry of colour and imagination. We entered by the neon-stencilled Orangery and adorned formal garden, that led to the magnificent Christmas Cathedral, whose golden arches stretch overhead in an inviting glow. Its scale, detail and immersive light make it an early highlight, offering the picture-perfect gateway to what is undoubtedly Belton’s most thoughtfully curated trail yet.
Nearby, the cool shimmer of Ice Thorns and Snowballs adds a wintry elegance that contrasts beautifully with the warmth of the Fire Garden. The Snowballs froze mid-air in the canopies of a weeping willow. This is my personal favourite tree and evoked memories of my childhood garden and the shelter it provided from much missed snowy winters.
The warmth of ensuing flames were equal to that of Father Christmas; a delightfully jolly fellow who engaged perfectly with the children and just added a that extra touch of magic.
We loved the sculptural ‘12 Days of Christmas’, where each verse of the carol appears as a whimsical wicker creation. We merrily sang our hearts out, skipping back and forth between each perfectly crafted day, because who doesn’t delight in warbling, “Five Gold Rings!”?
The trail is full of vibrant glowing life with crocuses, tall winter flowers, and playful spiral trees. The latter of which rise above a small body of water – the reflection was impressive on the sheen of ice. These installations balance contemporary design with nostalgic charm, ensuring there is always something new to catch the eye while retaining Belton’s signature ambience. The gentle shapes of wicker deer that appear along the route, blend beautifully with the natural surroundings too.
Belton’s designers, Culture Creative, excel at creating moments that feel both intimate and spectacular. The glowing Haze Arches and the photogenic Heart Arch Walk offer romantic and atmospheric passages, while the striking Neon Halos and Candy Cane Lane add pops of bold colour.
One of the most mesmerising moments of the evening comes courtesy of Squidsoup’s On the Tide, a hypnotic installation in which hundreds of suspended lights pulse and sway like a drifting current. It invited us to linger, taking in the quiet movement and ambient soundscape, unsure of whether they were floating on a body of water or not.
Wishing Upon a Star, (and for the trail to continue further) exemplifies how much skill and thought has gone into the trail. This installation of chasing lights, wrapping trunk, bough and branches is quite the undertaking. I get frustrated wrapping a few metres around outside shrubbery, so applaud the installers for this work at height on a trio of trees!
The penultimate path leads into the breathtaking Aurora installation by ITHACA Studio. Designed to evoke the movement and shifting colours of the Northern Lights, this sweeping canopy of teal, green and violet light creates a serene, dreamlike pause in the journey. We instinctively slowed our steps here, looked skyward, taking in the rippling hues that float above.
The trail builds to a fitting finale with the new projection on the front of Belton House, created by acclaimed artists NOVAK. This year’s design casts festive storytelling and shifting patterns across the historic façade in a dazzling interplay of colour and narrative. Against the backdrop of Belton’s architecture, the effect is magical and memorable; a joyous final flourish that ties the entire trail together. Making the most of the experience, at a gentle pace, it took us just under an hour and a half.
Beaming and full of Christmas glee, we ended our evening by treating the children to rides on the helter skelter, ferris wheel and Santa’s runaway train. Ride entrance is via pre-paid tokens, at a price of £3. Although enjoyable, the price was steep, and costs for a family quickly add-up.
Talking of costly, returning to my thoughts on the food stalls: there was certainly a varied selection and something savoury and/or sweet for all tastes and diets. However, the costs were extortionate for what you get. We purchased: bratwurst – perfectly seasoned and tasty, but we were charged for toppings despite only having ketchup; a wood-fired pepperoni pizza – again no complaints over flavour, but ridiculously small; plus a pulled-pork loaded fries and a children’s meal with chicken nuggets. The pulled pork and dressing was great, but both used frozen fries and the children’s meal was pitiful. I wouldn’t have paid more than £2 for it. It was a shame the Trust café wasn’t open, the food quality is always excellent and good value for money.
Practical considerations were well planned and communicated in advance to me via email. Visitors are encouraged to download tickets before arriving due to limited phone signal, The one-mile trail remains accessible along garden paths, with mobility vehicles available for advance hire and flexibility offered on a case-by-case basis. For the first time, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Overall, this evening spectacle has returned with more brilliance, creativity and festive atmosphere than ever before. The illuminated trail transforms the National Trust’s Belton House into a glittering celebration of light, sound and seasonal artistry. Already well-loved across Lincolnshire and the wider region, this year’s edition raises the bar with ambitious new installations, returning favourites and an expanded sense of wonder that unfolds across every section of the mile-long route.
Five enchanting stars for the light trail!
From experience, while the illuminated trail is the Christmas centrepiece, spending the day at Belton would elevate the visit even further. The estate’s spacious parkland, elegant gardens and scenic walking routes offer a full-day out. Families can explore the outstanding adventure playground, spot the resident deer in the grounds, or warm up in the café before night falls. Belton House itself, with its historic interiors and seasonal displays, provides a rich daytime complement – ideal for those who want to make their visit a full festive outing.
Rating: 5/5
22nd November 2025 until 1st January 2026
Limited admission capacity with timed entry, early booking is advised.
Adult tickets: off-peak – £16.00, standard – £22.50, peak – £25.00
Child tickets: off-peak – £12.00, standard – £16.00, peak – £18.50
For full pricing, ticket information and bookings visit: https://www.mychristmastrails.co.uk/events/christmas-at-belton
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/belton-estate
Belton Estate, High Road, Belton, Grantham NG32 2LW