Gleam dreams: 10 of Britain’s best light trails this autumn and winter

The nights are drawing in, but stately homes, public gardens and attractions across the UK are encouraging after-hours visits with spectacular illuminations

Celebrating its 10th birthday this year, Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Kew’s more rural botanic garden in the Sussex countryside, will feature a huge illuminated whale and a projected version of Catherine Nelson’s colourful Planet Wakehurst, one of the UK’s biggest outdoor artworks. There will be thousands of lanterns as always, crafted by local volunteers, community groups and artists. This year’s shapes include buzzing pollinators, leaping fish, raindrops, thunderclouds and tiny seahorses. Wakehurst boasts the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, a 37-metre-high giant redwood decorated with 1,800 bulbs. There’s an interactive puppet show near the marshmallow-toasting firepit and wishing stars to hang in the trees.
Various evenings from 23 November to 1 January, adult from £18, child from £11.50, kew.org