Christmas at Bedgebury 2023 is a magical and unmissable new illuminated trail

The Bedgebury National Pinetum gardens are once again transformed into a winter wonderland, open on selected nights until New Year's Eve, Sunday, December 31.

BUY TICKETS: Limited capacity, with timed entries, will see popular weekend and early evening slots sell fast so visitors are urged to buy now to avoid disappointment – CLICK HERE.

This is where fairy-tale meets fantasy, with towering trees and larger than life flora providing plenty of fantastic selfie moments

Tree tops glisten and shimmer, drenched in seasonal colours, with jaw-dropping installations by local and international artists on the one mile trail which boasts over a million sparkling lights and highlights the natural beauty of the forest.

Visitors are flocking to the site to make memories on the brand new route. Over 300 metres longer this year it uses new areas of the Pinetum for the first time.

The pinetum is filled with all the colours of the rainbow as you walk under Liquid Sky, one of several new displays which are wowing visitors.

Other highlights include a forest of illuminated Pampas grass, floating light works on the reflective lake and a Christmas cracker walk. Discover softly-lit doves delicately balanced on branches, reed-like neon structures and sparkling tunnels of light.

A magical glimpse of Father Christmas is guaranteed to thrill young and old alike.

Returning this year are selfie-favourites, Christmas Cathedral, a towering, walk-through archway, festooned with lights, and the Fire Garden, lit with real flickering-flames.

It is an immersive experience of lights, sounds, with a background soundtrack of Christmas songs, carols and orchestrated festive classics, plus smells, with plenty of festive food and drinks, at extra cost, available along the trail.

Zoe Bottrell is managing director of trail creators Culture Creative, who bring the Christmas trail with promoters Sony Music and Raymond Gubbay in partnership with Forestry England.

She said: "Visitors will be able to watch the Aurora above their heads as it zooms, with shooting stars, down through the Pinetum paths.

"This year we are taking them on a new route, right up into the forest, which is a really different type of landscape for us to be able to play with huge trees. The Redwoods, as you walk through that particular part of the forest, are just phenomenal.

"We light them, we play with them. It's absolutely fantastic. But we're also bringing a bunch of international artists to to augment their work and understand how they can also play with the forest, from Pampas grass, by Tilt in France, through to Squid Soup, who will be bringing their On The Tide installation, which will sit on the reflective lake and create a beautiful, contemplative moment.

"Our Fire Garden will continue to have a presence within the Pinetum. There's also a Christmas cracker walk - see if you can get the answers to all the jokes and take selfies, as if you were standing inside that the before it gets to the Christmas table."

Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We are always looking at trail designs which both complement and enhance the beautiful surroundings at Bedgebury. We want to create an experience which is precious for all the family and our plans for this year will be sure to provide an unforgettable evening.”

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW:

What: Christmas at Bedgebury - The after-dark illuminated winter woodland walk

Address: Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Goudhurst, Kent. TN17 2SJ

When: From 17 Nov-31 Dec. Trail closed Nov 29 and Dec 11, 25.

Admission: Limited capacity with timed entry, early booking advised

Advanced Admission Tickets: Adults - peak £24, standard £21.50, off peak £19. Children - peak £17; standard £14.50, off peak £13. Child off peak: Family (2 adults, 2 children) - peak £79, standard £69, off peak £61.

Parking £8. Must be booked in advance. Bedgebury and Forestry England National members receive one free parking space when booked through Forestry England’s website.

Tickets: christmasatbedgebury.seetickets.com