A visit to Beaulieu, in the heart of the New Forest is something that the whole family enjoys.
Home to the National Motor Museum, the World of Top Gear, Palace House, a 13th century Cistercian Abbey, the Monorail and stunning gardens, there is something to spark the interest of all ages.
Last night, we were invited to Beaulieu’s stunning new illuminated Christmas trail which features over one million lights in a mile long shimmering trail of 11 individual installations.
Once through the entrance, you are presented with a Christmas wonderland filled with vintage fairground rides and stalls with everything from Santa’s Sweetshop to a Bar, popcorn to a Carvery and burgers.
The trail starts with a stunning 200ft long Cathedral of Light and as you emerge from the other end, you catch glimpses of other installations throughout the grounds.
From the tunnel, it was past some lit Christmas trees and into the grounds of the stunning Beaulieu Abbey, which was warmly lit by 180 flickering torches to make a Fire Garden.
From there, we found a crowd of people gathered around Beaulieu’s replica 1912 open-topped London bus, fronted by a rather excitable man called ‘Toot Sweet’.
He was, unsuccessfully, trying to keep the crowd quiet as he had a very special guest onboard the bus, trying to have a nap, however, getting the kids to sing ‘the wheels on the bus’ was never going to be quiet!!
The special visitor was Father Christmas and climbed to the top of the bus to greet the adoring public and had everyone singing Jingle Bells before heading back inside for some more sleep so we continued along the trail to see what we could find.
About half way around there is a chance to stop for a break and toast marshmallows in a fire pit, or try to spot the elf hidden in the gingerbread house.
Every display is different and there is music to accompany the lights all the way round. The kids loved the 12 days of Christmas display, which saw 12 pictures light up as the song played.
Sebby was particularly smitten with the Nutcrackers and they all tried their hand at dancing to Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Palace House itself was brought to life by dancing lights that perform in time to much-loved Christmas classics.
We then headed through the Icicle Walk, with larger than life gleaming shards which guide you through Mill Pond walk on the banks of Beaulieu River, which have been lit up with thousands of colour changing fibre optics.
The trees were lit up in all the colours of the rainbows, with twinkling stars floating above your head.
The flowerbeds were glowing blue and the kids thought it looked like bluebell forest, before the lights changed into reds, yellows, whites and greens as we walked through.
My photo’s really don’t do the experience any justice as it was a “WOW!” moment around every corner.
The finale is a fantastic larger than life display of trees, with rainbow coloured lights dancing to cheerful Christmas music.
Christmas at Beaulieu runs until 24th December 2018 and online admission prices are: Adults: £14.50, Children: £8.00, Family Tickets: £40.00 and under 5’s and carers free. Tickets are available online and on the door. Please be aware that additional charges apply for the fairground rides and Christmas stalls and you don’t get a meet and greet with Father Christmas.
We really enjoyed our visit to Christmas at Beaulieu, it is the perfect setting for the magical light and music show. It took us 90 minutes to walk along the light trail and you can also view them from above on their monorail system for a different perspective.
For more information on the display and museum and illumination prices, visit beaulieu.co.uk/christmas
Wow! It looks like a total winter wonderland! I’ve seen so many photos and it’s making me want to go ASAP!
Wow! It looks like such a magical place. I’m loving all the photos. Sounds wonderful, I’m definitely going to have to take a visit next year. All my weekend up until Christmas now are fully booked x x
OMG this looks absolutely INCREDIBLE!! I so wish that I lived closer so that I could experience it xxx
This looks like such a magical place! I would absolutely love to visit here with my family – and one day, if I have kids, I would love to bring them here for sure!
Oh wow what a magical experience! I really wish we lived closer, as I would certainly take my children to visit 🙂
That looks absolutely amazing! I love all the lights and that classic Christmas atmosphere. I’d love to take the family there.
I’ve never heard of beaulieu before but oh my it looks magical! That tunnel is a bloggers dream!
wow that tunnel full of fairy lights is so gorgeous!! seems like you guys had such a great time there ❤️❤️
I really, really want to come down to this!! It’s so beautiful!
I have never been there but I would love to be there. Such a lovely place. Seems you had a great time.
I have to admit I had no idea Beaulieu did anything special for Christmas, but how amazing does this look! I could 100% see people having an amazing time at this festive event.
It looks so enchanting and magical! I love the light tunnel. What a wonderful experience.
Oh I love this! What an amazing christmas set up they have there! It looks so lovely and festive!
Wow, this looks so amazing, a real Christmas treat! I hadn’t realised Beaulieu did something like this.
Oh wow, this looks absolutely amazing, how magical. Christmas is by far my favourite time of year – I’d love to visit here!
I love Christmas! This looks like such a dream! That tunnel and roasting marshmallows, I’d be in heaven.
Wow this is all top knotch! that light tunnel and life-sized gingerbread house is everything. What state is this in?
What an awesome place! There is nothing like fairy lights to put you in the Christmas spirit!
Oh my goodness what a perfect place to put you in the Christmas spirit! That light tunnel is absolutely gorgeous! I’d love to see it in person!
Such a fabulous experience for the kids for sure! I would have loved to see the 1912 open-topped bus and the lights look so festive as well.
everything looks so magical and pretty! this is such a great way to make memories!
Oh my this looks truly magical and that tunnel, I would never leave.
What a magical place! It looks so festive and a great place to get into the Christmas spirit with the family before the big day x
This looks like the perfect place to take a family. My daughter would love it and I would get awesome pictures just like you if we went.
Love all the trees lit up and we’ve heard that Christmas at Beaulieu is good. Glad they’ve started a Christmas event!
What a wonderful post! I loved the pictures. This place seems amazing. I love lights at christmas. Thanks for sharing! 😉
Wait did you say Monorail? I gotta visit just for that and wow what beautiful Christmas decorations and lights, so magical and a great place to visit
Laura x
What a great way to spend family time! I love Christmas decor and that vintage vibe!
Adding up some cool design on your house like these really pops out and adds some more value to the house.