Christmas light trails to open at Walmer Castle, Tonbridge Castle, Leeds Castle and Bedgebury National Pinetum

A brand new festive trail will be lighting up a Kent castle this Christmas season.

Christmas at Walmer Castle, produced by Kilimanjaro Live in partnership with English Heritage, will launch for the first time from Friday, December 1.

The Tudor castle, just outside of Deal, will be illuminated by twinkling light installations which will be dotted throughout the grounds.

There will be festive food, themed cocktails and stunning projections from the mind of creative director Katherine Jewkes and light art pioneers Illumaphonium.

The artistic group will also be bringing their own self-titled multi-sensory installation to the grounds which has imaginative interactive elements and a unique soundtrack.

“We’re so excited to be launching a brand-new Christmas light trail this festive season in partnership with Kilimanjaro Live,” says English Heritage’s Neil McCollum. “The new Christmas at Walmer Castle trail will be a spectacular festive feast for the senses and the perfect way to get the family into the yuletide spirit.

“We can’t wait to see Walmer Castle’s historic grounds transformed into a magical winter wonderland through music and light installations.”

You can book tickets to the Walmer Castle trail here.

The new event comes after Tonbridge Castle announced earlier this summer that it would be hosting the Winter Light Trail by Illuminate Trails.

The light trail opens on Sunday, November 26 and will give visitors a chance to wander through a 40-minute winter wonderland.

The colourful lights are just one part of Christmas at the Castle, a full-scale festive event featuring a market, alpine bar and food village in the heart of Tonbridge.

You can book tickets to the Illuminate Trails events at Tonbridge Castle here.

Returning this year will also be the popular Christmas at Leeds Castle and Christmas at Bedgebury trails.

The trails, which are both organised by Sony Music’s Raymond Gubbay Limited, are some of the best-loved Christmas events in the county and regularly sell out ahead of time.

Christmas at Bedgebury has been running for several years at the Goudhurst country park and boasts a whole new after-dark spectacular this year.

From Friday, November 17 visitors can enjoy the dazzling light tunnels, larger-than-life projections and the new rainbow-coloured liquid sky display.

The Christmas at Leeds Castle trail made its debut last winter and saw crowds flocking to the historic castle, just outside of Maidstone, to experience one of Kent’s biggest attractions illuminated for the festive season.

For its second year, the trail will be open from Friday, November 24 and feature a laser garden, mirrored lights and seasonal music.