Illuminated Arboretum
Visitors explore an outdoor evening trail where the landscape is transformed with light, colour, and sound to share meaningful stories. The experience features dazzling light installations as well as hands-on elements that guests can touch and control. Hot food and drinks are available along the route, with additional dining options inside the restaurant.
What to Expect
Light, sound, and colour trail celebrating the gardens' first 25 years.
Event Details
Duration
Visitors may spend as long as they wish exploring Illuminated until the site closes.
Ages
All ages (children under 5 free)
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
National Memorial Arboretum
Food & Drink
A selection of treats is available in the restaurant, with fresh hot food and drinks also served along the route.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and visitors who enjoy immersive light trails
Vibe
Atmospheric and story-led
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Peak evenings (11–13 and 18–22 December): advance adult £22, standard adult £27; advance child aged 5–15 £13, standard £16; children under 5 and carers free. Off-peak evenings (4–6, 8–10 and 15–17 December): advance adult £20, standard adult £25; advance child aged 5–15 £12, standard £15; children under 5 and carers free. Groups of 10 or more on off-peak evenings: adult £18, child aged 5–15 £10; minimum 10 adult or child tickets. School and uniformed youth groups on off-peak evenings: adult £18, child aged 5–15 £10; school groups can receive one free adult ticket per ten booked. Friends can save 10% on up to four adult tickets, subject to the stated booking conditions. Standard parking charge applies. – Get tickets
- Hours: Entry every 30 minutes between 4.30pm and 6.30pm; 7pm on peak evenings. Relaxed sessions at 4.30pm on 9, 13 and 15 December.
- Parking: The standard parking charge applies. Parking can be purchased when booking or on the evening of the event.
- Accessibility: Hard-standing paths and temporary trackway accommodate wheels, with accessible toilets, a Changing Places facility, and pre-bookable mobility equipment available.
Tips & Advice
- Book a wheelchair or mobility scooter ahead by phone, because only a limited number are available and some parts of the route are uneven or soft underfoot.
- Pick up a free sensory backpack at the Welcome Desk, which includes fidget toys and a torch that helps on the dark outdoor trail.
- Add parking when you book your tickets, or pay on arrival, as the Gardens' standard parking charge applies to Illuminated visitors.
- Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes, because the trail is outdoors in the dark and some stretches are softer or more uneven underfoot.
- Choose a relaxed session if anyone in your group prefers calmer surroundings, since numbers are limited and light and sound effects are more muted.
Special Events & Promotions
- Relaxed sessions on 9, 13 and 15 December, with limited capacity and more muted light and sound
- This year's route tells stories from the Gardens' first 25 years
- Friends save 10% on up to four adult tickets when they book by phone and attend themselves
- Group discounts for parties of ten or more and for school and uniformed youth groups, off-peak evenings only. School groups also get one free adult ticket per ten booked
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's on this year's trail?
This year's route shares stories from the Gardens' first 25 years. Light, sound and colour tell them, through dazzling installations and hands-on elements you can touch and control.
Is there food and drink?
Yes. Hot food and drinks are sold along the route, and the restaurant has a selection of treats.
How long can we stay once we're in?
Once you've entered, you can spend as long as you like exploring until the site closes.
Where are the toilets and baby changing?
Accessible toilets are about halfway along the route and in the Remembrance Centre, which also has a Changing Places facility. Baby changing is in the Remembrance Centre.
Is the route suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
Much of the route uses hard-standing paths. Some stretches are uneven or softer underfoot, and temporary trackway has been laid there. A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired. Book them ahead by phone.
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