Wimpole Hall Christmas Illuminations, Cambridgeshire Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Reviewed by Roz G
On a cold and frosty evening we were excited to experience the Wimpole Christmas Illumination Trail at the impressive Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire.
Described as ‘A Magical Festive Experience’ this magnificent seasonal extravaganza is created by award-winning and internationally acclaimed light trail producers, Raymond Gubbay Ltd (Sony Music) in partnership with the National Trust and designed by Culture Creative.
On entering the Wimpole Estate by car you will find that there is ample car parking. National Trust members are entitled to free car parking. When you buy your tickets select parking and your membership, parking will be validated on the evening of your visit. Non National Trust members are advised to book parking when buying tickets.
There is a short accessible walk from the car park to the main entrance with adjacent toilet facilities.
The event is outdoor and you may need to queue on busy days so it is advisable to wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear and please be aware that only guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are permitted.
Through the entrance we were met by vendors offering a really good variety of hot and cold drinks and fast food, ranging from pizzas to hot chocolate. Within the same area and to the delight of many, there is a colourful mini fairground which was thoroughly enjoyed by all! Rides were priced at £3 each and tokens for this cashless event can be purchased in advance online or on site.
After enjoying the rides on offer at the fair, we purchased a delicious hot chocolate and walked a little further along the well signposted path where we came across a blanket of hundreds of multicoloured lights, it was a mesmerising sight which gave a dramatic taster of what was to come!
Our walk continued along this fascinating and amazing trail of illuminations which has over a million twinkling lights, accompanied by fabulous seasonal sounds enhancing the spectacular experience of Wimpole trail of lights!
The trail is fully accessible and is an enjoyable 1.5 mile magical walk which took us approximately 90 minutes to wander through.
In front of the magnificent and grand Wimpole Hall, we walked through a dazzling and beautifully lit archway of lights which was certainly a ‘wow’ moment and on exiting the archway there is an enormous Christmas tree where we took advantage of a delightful Christmas photo opportunity!
Everything on offer was wonderful including the breath-taking and fascinating light show which adorned the rear of Wimpole Hall with its dazzling, dancing colours, accompanied by well matched seasonal music which absolutely enhanced this incredible festive treat!
During the trail we stumbled upon two refreshment stations and took the opportunity to purchase some marshmallows and a hot drink which was a welcome interlude to warm us up before we continued on our way.
Then, as we strolled further we were joyfully greeted by Father Christmas outside his log cabin. To the delight of many he chatted happily to everyone who stopped by to talk with him, especially some younger ones who were eagerly wanting to let Father Christmas know what is on their wish list!
Wimpole offers a superb experience for all ages, young and old, we were thrilled to experience all the lights and sounds, including neon lit trees, an illuminated gingerbread man walkway, smoke filled bubbles which brought great joy and giggles from the children trying to stamp on them as the bubbles landed on the ground, there were beautifully lit colourful bulbs in trees, huge illuminated robin birds, a shower of neon lights to find your way through and individually lit torch lanterns, it is an incredible experience for all to enjoy!
Towards the end of the memorable trail we followed the lit path which had patterns of familiar Christmas symbols including bells and a Christmas tree, this led us to the many varieties of refreshments available to purchase including Greek Street Food, Hot and Cold Drinks, Loaded Fries, Duck Wraps and Churros which was just what we needed on a cold and frosty evening!
The Christmas illuminations Trail at Wimpole is fascinating and fabulous, it’s a truly magical and unforgettable evening giving an amazing and fantastic Christmas experience with its many splendid sights and sounds!
Rating: 5/5
Wimpole Illuminated Trail can be visited on various dates from November 21st 2025 until January 3rd 2026.
The event is a ticketed event which has timed entry and it is recommended that you purchase your tickets online in advance, timed entries are every 15 minutes from 4:15pm until 8:30pm, however please check the entry times as they can vary. The event is not included as part of National Trust membership and National Trust members do not receive discounts on tickets, it is a cashless event.
Tickets cost from £18.50 for a child and £25 for an adult. Family tickets are available.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Wimpole Hall, Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW