Father Christmas

Now in its fourth year, the new 2016 winter trail is inspired by the Gardens themselves, as the trees, temples and glasshouses of Kew are playfully lit and all aglow.

Enter between two giant Christmas trees festooned with ribbon and wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in seasonal colour. Follow the path between a carpet of light gently swaying like blossom and stop for a moment of reflection at the scented Fire Garden inspired by Five Gold Rings from The Twelve Days of Christmas. Continue towards glittering trees dripping with giant crystals and gaze at colour-changing reeds rising high into the night sky. Just ahead glimpse the Tunnel of Lights, this year animated by over 60,000 lights making patterns and pictures to a festive soundtrack.

Don’t forget to stop for a Kew karaoke at the Christmas Juke Box before strolling the fairy-tale avenue of flora dotted across the Crystal Lawn. Pause at Mistletoe Moment before continuing the woodland walk between larger-than-life clusters of candles. This year, framed by sparkling hedges, the Palm House Pond springs to life with brightly coloured laser beams, fans of light and flickering orbs that dance in time to music inspired by much-loved Christmas classics.

For the young ones, the playful atmosphere of White Peaks will welcome you with a Victorian carousel, helter skelter, and other family rides and don’t forget to look out for Santa and his elves at the North Pole village along the way.