Winter wonderlands worth escaping London for

By Jen Barton Packer on 13/11/2019

The not-so-distant tinkling of Christmas bells and the promise of another magical winter wonderland experience is sure to make those of us who aren't Scrooges feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
That is, unless you're a parent. By mid-October, if you haven't booked your central London winter wonderland/Santa's grotto/Nutcracker tickets, you quickly realise that everything gorgeous and Christmassy in London is booked up. Then again, do you really want to be dealing with London Christmas crowds with a kid in tow?
Fear not: we’ve found some out-of-this-world winter wonderlands that are worth getting out of London for. Perfect for a little magic and adventure... and remembering that Christmas spirit is about so much more than just toys.

RHS Wisley, Woking

Glorious real blooms meet gorgeous illuminated ones in RHS Wisley's Glow 2019 event, featuring Jigantics light installations of flowers around the garden and a glasshouse display. This may be just the ticket to inspire that love of gardening in the next generation.

Photo: RHS/Joanna Kossak

WHEN

7 December 2019 - 5 January 2019, open daily from 4pm-8pm

WHERE

Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

Wakehurst, Sussex

Glow Wild's magical lantern trail at Wakehurst, now in its sixth year, has plenty to delight children of all ages: projections and lights illuminate the trees and ponds, including the UK's tallest-living Christmas tree, adorned with 1,800 lights. Lantern making, festive shopping and Christmassy food are all available, too.

WHEN

21 November 2019 - 22 December 2019, 4:30pm-8pm

WHERE

Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Spend a day at Blenheim with the kids for some fantastic festive fun: enjoy the illuminated light trail through the gardens with Victorian carousel and helter-skelter rides (plus a scented Fire Garden, Water Terrace light show and 100,000 pea lights adorning the Tunnel of Light), before finishing off with some toasted marshmallows around the fire. You can also stock up on Christmas ornaments and trinkets at the Christmas market and enjoy an Alice in the Palace immersive and magical Alice in Wonderland experience.

Photo: Blenheim Palace 2019

WHEN

22nd November 2019 - 1st January 2020

WHERE

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury

19th century Waddesdon Manor may only be an hour and twenty minutes' drive from central London, but it will take you and your family to another planet when it comes to Christmas extravaganzas. Waddesdon Manor doesn't do winter wonderland, they live and breathe it, prepping their Christmas festivities for 18 months and adorning the house's 10 15-foot Christmas trees with over 10,000 pea lights and 3,000 baubles. Educational bonus points for kids who attempt to count them all... The super-kid friendly Christmas events include kids' afternoon teas, trails and a Christmas fair. This year's Christmas decor theme is inspired by the music of Christmas, from traditional carols to contemporary favourites. Have a holly jolly one.

Photo: Hugh Mothersole

WHEN

16 November, 2019 - 5 January, 2020, 11am-6pm, Wednesday-Sunday

WHERE

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH

Hever Castle, Kent

Anne Boleyn's childhood home, Hever Castle and Gardens in Kent, has a reputation for hosting one of the best Christmas winter wonderland spectacles. The Twilight Christmas event, where the castle is illuminated after-hours and characters like Alice in Wonderland happen to be frolicking around the gardens, tends to sell out long in advance - so don't delay. You can even book in for a Santa's Grotto and Toy Workshop experience as part of it. If you prefer Hever by day, enjoy a brisk winter walk in the Winter Garden, channel your inner Circe and teach the kids to spot hellebore, viburnum, dogwood and more.

Photo: Hever Castle and Gardens

WHEN

December 6,12, 13, 19, 20 and 23, from 6pm

WHERE

Hever Castle, Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG

Eltham Palace and Gardens, London

Six English Heritage sites around the UK including super-close-to-London-destinations like Audley End House and Gardens in Essex and Walmer Castle and Gardens in Kent are transformed for the month of December for the Enchanted season. Londoners don't need to go far to enjoy the light, colour and sound trails, fairground rides and mince pies; Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich is taking part, too.

Photo: English Heritage

WHEN

Thursdays-Sundays in December

WHERE

Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London, SE9 5QE