Winter Light trail at Waddesdon

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Enjoy Christmas at Waddesdon Manor this winter!

Winter Light trail

Longer than ever before, the Winter Light trail is especially designed to accentuate Waddesdon’s natural treasures. Starting at Daffodil Valley, the ground will be covered by a glittering, twinkling blanket of lights, newly designed for 2021.

Elsewhere, a bed of individually ‘planted’ rose lights will glow and grow before your eyes, as the Rose Garden is lit as part of the Winter light trail for the first time. The trail continues through a tunnel of ‘light loops’ (the perfect Instagram spot) before a variety of elements tease the senses with scents, sounds and lights.

At the end of the trail, visitors can wander beneath colourful tree canopies as part of a musical walk-through lightshow and discover four-metre-high Giant Dandelion sculptures, the first of their kind in the UK. Large trees and smaller saplings will be lit throughout the route, showcasing Waddesdon’s unique structures.

The Victorian-style Parterre will also be lit for the first time, with a light show that plays on the regimented patterns of the planting display, set to a musical soundtrack.  

At the Stables, a huge ‘pixel pyramid’ standing over six metres tall will offer another festive photo opportunity to share and remember the day. Suspended within the pyramid are thousands of hanging, colour-changing pixels, dancing to festive music to create 3D shapes and graphics.

In the Coach House Gallery, visitors will encounter light works by Leo Villarreal, the artist behind London’s Illuminated River project, alongside a display showing how this long-term art installation (physically the longest piece of public art in the world) is transforming the Thames at night with an orchestrated series of light works that spans nine bridges in the city.

Christmas Fair, 13 November - 23 December

Unusual gifts will once again be a feature of Waddesdon’s famous Christmas Fair. Set amongst festooned trees and housed in charming wooden chalets, visitors will be able to browse over 80 selected artisan stalls selling handmade gifts, decorations, and scrumptious food (to either eat on the day or to take home). The chalets will be decked with fairy lights, and set against the backdrop of the floodlit Manor, illuminated with dancing lights and decorated with six large Christmas trees.

There will also be afternoon teas (pre-bookable) in the Manor Restaurant, and festive takeaway food and drinks to enjoy while exploring the grounds.