ILLUMINATE

We are delighted to present our very first Christmas illuminated gardens trail, ILLUMINATE.

Extending the popular colourful lights which adorn the route to Father Christmas’s grotto, ILLUMINATE will light up the entirety of Rook Wood with a beautiful multicoloured display, including its natural features and terrain, before taking you through the light-studded Yew Tunnel and onto a stunning, dynamic pixel display on the turning circle by Hestercombe House.

Bring the whole family to enjoy this lovely light experience, and finish up with a rich hot chocolate or homemade sausage roll from Caffe + Gelato, whilst watching the fire pit crackle away under the twinkling fairy lights in the glass-covered courtyard.

Late night shopping in Hestercombe’s chic gift shop and book shop will be available in Hestercombe House every evening on which ILLUMINATE is running, and is easily accessible from the end of the illuminated trail.

Dates & Times

• Saturday 27th November
• Sunday 28th November
• Thursday 2nd December
• Friday 3rd December
• Saturday 4th December
• Sunday 5th December
• Thursday 9th December
• Saturday 11th December
• Sunday 12th December
• Saturday 18th December
• Sunday 19th December
• Monday 20th December
• Tuesday 21st December
• Wednesday 22nd December
• Thursday 23rd December
• Friday 24th December
• Monday 27th December
• Tuesday 28th December
• Wednesday 29th December
• Thursday 30th December
• Saturday 1st January 2022
• Sunday 2nd January

Limited capacity slots are available at 4.30pm, 4.50pm, 5.10pm, 5.30pm, 5.50pm, 6.10pm, 6.30pm and 6.50pm.

Advance booking is required; tickets are now on sale.

ILLUMINATE Tickets & Prices

Hestercombe Members

• Adults £5
• Children £3

Non-members

• Adults £8
• Children £6

Children aged under 2 receive free admission - no need to book a ticket. Tickets must be purchased for children aged 2 to 15.

Get discounts on events at Hestercombe

Join as a Hestercombe member from as little as £3.46 per month to enjoy member-only prices on events and unlimited free garden admission.

Good to know

Please read the following carefully before booking your tickets:

• Please check in at our Visitor Reception promptly at the time of your slot. If you arrive early, please head down to Caffe + Gelato to enjoy some refreshments while you wait; please don't be late, as you may miss your slot. Caffe + Gelato will be open from 10am to 7.30pm on ILLUMINATE event days.
• When you book online, you will receive a confirmation email. When you check in, you must be ready with your reference number and a print out, or screenshot of your confirmation email to show at the Ticket Office. If you don’t receive one you must email info@hestercombe.com or call us on 01823 413923 to ensure that your booking is confirmed (if you have a Microsoft, Live, Outlook or Hotmail address you may not receive a confirmation email due to technical issues).
• As this is an evening event, taking place after dark, you should ensure that you wear appropriate clothing and footwear, as there may be some slippery surfaces on your route, especially when wet. There will be site lighting in place to help guide you around the trail, but please bring a torch with you if you feel you will need extra lighting.
• To help ensure a safe level of social distancing, there will be a one-way route in operation.
• The illuminated trail is self-led, and a map will be provided on arrival.
• If you are also planning to come to see Father Christmas, please note that Illuminate and Father Christmas are separate events, and you will need to purchase separate tickets.
• Accessibility: most of the ILLUMINATE route is wheelchair-friendly, however because the estate was designed hundreds of years ago, there are issues with general accessibility around the event which is out of our control. If you are a wheelchair user and wish to visit ILLUMINATE, please call our Visitor Reception before booking a ticket.
• Dogs are welcome at this event.

View our event cancellation and refund policy

If you experience any difficulty with booking, or have any questions, please email Visitor Reception in the first instance at info@hestercombe.com, or call 01823 413923.

You may also like...