This post is based on a visit in November 2024. Information and events do change over time so it's important to check with venues direct for the most up to date and accurate info when booking. We paid for this experience ourselves but there are AD affiliate links in the post.
.jpg "Alnwick Garden & Lilidroei Light Trail Review & Tips")
I've visited lots of light trails in my life and I have to say, Alnwick Garden's is fantastic and definitely one of the best value light trails in the North East. Your ticket allows you access to 2 light trails for the price of 1 and you can visit both Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei's winter lights on the same evening with just one ticket.
A family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) can visit BOTH Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei Lights for just £28. This is an absolute steal! Tickets are on sale at this price now so bag yourself a bargain.
Pricing is excellent too, with off-peak tickets for 2025 available for just £9.50 per adult and £4.50 per child (aged 5-16 years). Under 5s go free. Remember, this gives you access to both Alnwick Garden AND Lilidorei lights on the same evening.
Tickets are now on sale for 2025, you can buy them here: https://shop.alnwickgarden.com/winter-light-trail-tickets/booking (selected dates from 20 Nov).
*Please note, peak dates will be more expensive. The prices quoted are for Thurs 20 Nov without gift aid / a donation. Screenshot below.
Sadly, Alnwick Garden do not publish which dates are off peak and which dates are peak so it's a case of trial and error.
I have checked through them and generally speaking, November mid-week dates seem to be off peak and the cheapest.
Remember, this price is with Gift Aid removed - Alnwick Garden is a charity and if you can, including Gift Aid is appreciated.
Alnwick Garden & Lilidorei Light Trail - How it Works
Please note, these tips are based on a visit in 2024 to give you an idea of what to expect.
- Watch a video review of the light trail here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDJbUJ8uaVu/?hl=en
- Parking: We parked in the Alnwick Garden Car Park which is it's usual price (£3.50 in 2024). Pay with card on arrival. If you're a friend of the garden, you can use your pass to park for free.
- When you book, you're given a timeslot. This is the time you should aim to arrive at the Alnwick Garden entrance. You can visit Lilidorei before or after your Alnwick Garden slot at any time (in 2024, Lilidorei was open from 4:30pm to 9pm).
- When we visited in 2024, we arrived an hour earlier than our timeslot and had planned to visit Lilidorei first, however staff directed us to the garden and scanned us in despite being mega early. They are really flexible so don't worry if you're running late etc.....
- We spent around an hour walking around the Alnwick Garden route, it's all one way and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs although there is an incline up to the top. Food and drink are for sale in the cafe, from little food trucks at the start / end and there's a sweet shop around 1/3 of the way around. It's more snacky style food than a substantial meal. I'd recommend booking a meal at one of Alnwick's lovely restaurants before / after (or just visiting after an early tea at home).
- The usual toilets are open.
- Pet dogs are not permitted.
- There's no time limit on Alnwick Garden (within their specified opening times) and once you're done, walk along to Lilidorei and have your ticket scanned there. Again, no time limits (other than when they close) and you can spend as long as you like here.
- The food court at Lilidorei is open.
- The play area at Lilidorei is open but some sections may close if it's particularly icy / windy etc....
- It is fairly dark in the play area (and it's huge) so maybe get the kids some glow sticks necklaces / wristbands to wear.
- If you have visited Lilidorei during the day, you'll find it's much more toned down in the evening - it's literally just the play area that's open. There are no storytellers / trails / entertainment. However if you listen out for the bell, Santa does pop by on his bicycle at intervals and hands out sweet treats.
- If you're looking for somewhere to stay nearby, I recommend the Hogs Head Inn. It's a warm and welcoming pub with beautiful decorations. They have rooms which sleep up to 6 guests amd offer free parking too.
Alnwick Garden Winter Lights
Again, I want to stress that this was our experience in 2024 and installations etc...may change in future years. It should give you a good idea of what to expect though.On arrival, your ticket is scanned by friendly staff at the garden entry (this can be printed or from your phone). I was surprised to see the Grand Cascade was completely blocked from view which is good as it saves the grand finale for the end.
There's a nice sleigh at the entrance where you can pose for photos.
The cafe is open serving snack style food and there are a couple of pop up trucks selling things like doughnuts. There's also a mobile bar selling a decent range of festive drinks. I'd recommend picking one up to stroll around the garden with. We enjoyed a lovely winter pimms.
The first thing you notice about the Alnwick Garden Light Trail is that it is SO christmassy - you won't get anyone complaining they've banned Christmas here. Expect Christmas carols and songs playing as you wander around plus loads of Christmas trees and Santas.
The labyrinth has been filled with christmas trees which is nice.
The little turrett after the rose garden has been transformed into a festive sweet shop.
As you can see the paths are surfaced, wide and well lit. There are staff on hand to help too.
There was also a hidden yurt serving hot drinks just after the sweet shop. Handy to dive inside if the weather isn't the best.
We loved the snow zone - festive tunes are playing and there are several buttons to press, when you do - it snows! A brill photo opportunity. I like that there are several buttons to press so this area does not end up as a bottle neck with queues.
There are projections on the walk way and moving scenes in the 'windows' too as well as a few buttons to press along the route where you can light up different objects.
The walled garden is beautiful and a nice place to take a seat. There are a few different lights in here including traditional decorations and a more modern light show set to music over the pond.
At the top of the Grand Cascade you'll find lots of beautiful Christmas trees as well as decorations on the regular trees. It's really pretty.
There's also a light tunnel to walk through - fab for selfies!
The Cherry Blossom Orchard looks beautiful all lit up. Sadly they had removed most of the swinging chairs when we visited - not sure if this happens every winter but it would have been nice to enjoy a little swing in this section.
You can enter the poison garden without a guide and there aren't set timings like there are during the day. This is the only section I found underwhelming and I definitely think they could try and incorporate some kind of christmas poisoning storytelling in here to keep in with the theme.
And then finally, you reach the Grand Cascade. The light show and music are really spectacular. I would say it maybe takes around 7 minutes to watch the full show. Expect grand opera music, ballet, rock music, christmas songs - there's something for everyone and the cascade is the perfect backdrop for a show.
Sadly, the water isn't switched on in the evening so don't expect a fountain show.
You exit through the gift shop which is stocked with some lovely gift ideas and then make your way to the Lilidorei entrance. Staff are on hand to direct you.
Lilidorei Winter Lights
First of all, you enter through the main doorway which is only open at Christmas time and then walk through a tunnel with some creepy voices. It's all a bit weird. I kind of feel like the concept of Lilidorei could be communicated a lot better. Maybe if staff explained the concept or set the scene before you enter, this would help a bit.
The trees do look stunning but again, walking past Gibbets - a primitive form of Gallows does feel a bit jarring.
The playground looks so beautiful all lit up and on the evening of our visit, it wasn't busy at all. The play equipment was fully open when we visited but I know on some dates, they closed the slides as they were too icy - I think it depends on the weather. There will always be something to play on though as a lot of the equipment is ground level.
I've mentioned in my previous review of Lilidorei that I don't think it's the most accessible place for wheelchair users. For example to access the main play frame, you need to ask a member of staff to place a temporary ramp. There weren't really any members of staff around when we were there though.
And the windows to look inside the Clan houses aren't always accessible for those in wheelchairs either which is annoying.
That aside, Lilidorei is the biggest playground in the world and it's lots of fun. If your children are not old enough to play unsupervised, you will have to follow them around the play frame.
During the day, Lilidorei can cost around £15 to visit over peak times, so the fact that you can visit for free when you book an Alnwick Garden Light Trail ticket is such a bargain, especially as children's tickets start at just £4.50.
The food court is open serving their usual menu, again it was really quiet when we visited. There are toilets here too.
I loved it so much when Santa cycled past handing out lollipops. He was so authentic! It's just a quick 'hello', not a full Santa experience or anything but lovely that this is included. Listen out for the bell ringing in the Elf Village and he'll appear at intervals.
When we visited during the day, the wishing tree had a member of staff supervising and you could make wishes and put your hand inside it's mouth to hear it burp. It's not like this in the evening - it's just a pretty tree. You can still make your own wish though.
Similarly, there is no storytelling or additional entertainment in the evening and it's much more scaled back compared to the daytime. I think this is fair enough though considering the price and would see Lilidorei as more of a bonus add on to the Alnwick Garden Light Trail rather than a main reason to visit.
I have mentioned a few criticisms as I do want to provide an honest review but my main thought leaving these light trails is that they were just so festive and incredible value for money. I've booked again for next year and can't wait. We left feeling so christmassy.
I would recommend this light trail to all ages from little ones up and teens to adults and pensioners. It's a brilliant all rounder with all the festive feels. Just make sure you wrap up.
Other Things to do in Alnwick
We made a day / night of it and stayed at the nearby Hogs Head Inn when we visited. They have rooms which sleep up to 6 guests so ideal for larger families. We had our evening meal here too - they serve food up until 9pm and it's lovely.
We didn't book a table - just turned up after the trail. Watch a video review of our stay / meal here: Hogs Head Inn Video Review
Ideas for things to do during the day:
- Visit Barter Books (a large and quirky second hand book shop)
- There's a witchy cafe in Alnwick and they serve the nicest hot chocolates. Check out our guide to Solstice here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4XWQfYIuZb/?hl=en
- Enjoy the light decorations in Alnwick Town Centre - they're gorgeous
- There are lots of independent cafes and shops and Alnwick is brilliant for Christmas shopping
- Did you know there's a free fishing museum in Alnwick? It's interesting with a fishing game for kids to play: https://www.facebook.com/TheHardyStoreandMuseum/
- Bailiffgate Museum is low-cost and worth popping into - there are crafts and dressing up areas for kids
- Hulne Park is nice for a walk
- It's worth checking out what's showing at Alnwick Playhouse
- Willowburn Leisure Centre is home to a climbing wall, swimming pool and soft play
- Robinsons of Alnwick has a lovely Christmas Window display that's worth going to see. They also sell tickets to see Santa and it's highly regarded
- Check out Alnwick Markets
- Dirty Bottles is a popular spot for a family meal - you can learn more about the legend if you peek through the window at the original bottles
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