Luminate is lighting up Sandringham for festive season and here’s what we thought of this year’s winter trail on royal estate

Lighting up Sandringham for another year is the enchanting Luminate trail, which has returned to the Royal Estate for the festive season.

The magical mile-long outdoor light show on the King’s Royal Parkland is the main event once again, accompanied by a vintage fairground, a Christmas tree maze and fun house, and festive food and drink.

The Lynn News was invited to take a stroll around and enjoy the event on Wednesday evening, a day before it was officially opened to the public.

I went along with my partner’s family, including two primary school-age children, and here’s what we thought of it.

This was my third year of experiencing Luminate, although some of those with me were enjoying it for the first time.

It was a bitterly cold evening - which my partner’s father said he felt added to the magic of it all - but we soon (mostly) forgot about the temperature thanks to the beautiful illuminations.

What I want to get across before anything else is just how different the trail has been each time, and this year it was bigger and better than ever. It is definitely not the case that it is exactly the same spectacles - as beautiful as they are - to see every time.

Luminate is immersive, fun and festive - and the scale of it left us wondering how many people have to get it all ready to go each year.

Among the treats for our senses were lights, lasers, projections and holograms (some of which were talking - and even telling jokes!).

For the youngsters, there was also the chance to make a wish and attach it to the wish wall, play interactive games with the lights and make music with their feet! The kids absolutely loved all of these parts of the trail.

And for all ages, there were many wonders for the eyes and ears, with a beautiful magical fairyland, a display of colourful illuminated roses along the vista and a stunning, sparkling tree. All of this is set to a soundtrack of ambient music, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

We also were keen to make the most of the refreshments at the halfway point, with hot chocolates to warm everyone up and giant marshmallows to toast over fire pits. There was also pizza as well as other food and drink options to purchase.

After completing the mile-long trail, the children were very keen to take on the Christmas tree maze which had a ‘tree house’ fun house at its centre which they thoroughly enjoyed and I’m glad to say we managed to find our way out of the maze without too many issues!

The evening was rounded off with a visit to the vintage fairground, with the kids super excited to give the helter skelter, carousel and ferris wheel a go.

Bratwurst sausages, churros, coffee, desserts and alcoholic drinks were also on offer via food vendors near the fairground, which was situated close to the visitor centre.

The refreshments, rides, Christmas tree maze and fun house all come at an additional cost to the main Luminate ticket price.

It was a wonderful, festive evening enjoyed by all of us - I was particularly impressed with how many aspects of the trail were different to last year. If you’ve been previously and are wondering whether it’s worth another visit, I would definitely recommend it - and if you’re new to Luminate, you won’t be disappointed.

Luminate Sandringham Winter Light Trail will run until Tuesday, December 24.

There will be two special events for families to bring their four-legged friends. On Mondays, December 2 and 9, Luminate is running dog-friendly trails.

Meanwhile, there are dedicated time slots for guests with additional sensory needs on Tuesday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 10.

Entry is via advanced timed entry tickets with slots available every 15 minutes between 4pm-8pm for the trail which lasts around 60-90 minutes.

Tickets cost £15 for an adult, £10 for a child or £45 for a family from Monday to Thursday up to Thursday, December 5.

They cost £23.25 for an adult, £16.75 for a child, or £76.50 for a family on Fridays and Sundays, and every day from Monday, December 9 excluding Saturdays.

Saturday tickets are £26.25 for an adult, £19.25 for a child and £83.25 for a family.

For more information or to book your tickets, visit: www.luminate.live/sandringham-estate

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