Essex

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhs-glow-rhs-hyde-hall-rettendon"><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/hyde-hall-glow?utm_source=muddystilettos&amp;utm_medium=ad-rhs&amp;utm_campaign=glowmuddystilettos&amp;utm_content=harlowcarr-image-glowmuddystilettos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Glow</a>, RHS Hyde Hall, Rettendon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Web-Use-GLOW_RHS_Hyde_Hall_2024_-132-copy.jpg" alt="RHS Glow Hyde Hall" class="wp-image-26322" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Web-Use-GLOW_RHS_Hyde_Hall_2024_-132-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Web-Use-GLOW_RHS_Hyde_Hall_2024_-132-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Web-Use-GLOW_RHS_Hyde_Hall_2024_-132-copy-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Web-Use-GLOW_RHS_Hyde_Hall_2024_-132-copy-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



WHEN: Selected dates Fri 21 Nov &#8211; Sat 27 Dec



TIME: 5pm &#8211; 9pm (21 &#8211; 29 Nov) &amp; 4.30pm &#8211; 9pm (3 &#8211; 27 Dec). Last entry 7pm



PRICE: Adult: £17.25. Child (5–16): £9.25. Under 5&#8217;s free. RHS members can buy discounted tickets



This year promises to be even more immersive. For the first time you can venture into the tiered Robinson Garden with its panoramic views. Be mesmerised by Mycelium, a twinkling web of 2,500 fibres inspired by nature’s hidden networks, and walk beneath the atmospheric Roman Arches. New for this year the Gardener’s Rest Restaurant at the top of the hill will be open offering seasonal flavours while you enjoy the captivating views. The Lights on the Lake show is spectacular, as you meander back down Clover Hill and head to the cabins by the lake where you can enjoy delicious street-style food and the festive atmosphere. Maybe pick up a steaming hot chocolate or something mulled with a splash of something stronger (for added warmth obviously). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-up-the-night-scott-s-of-southend-southend-on-sea"><a href="https://scottsofsouthend.co.uk/pages/scotts-light-up-the-night" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Light Up The Night</a>, Scott&#8217;s of Southend, Southend-on-Sea</h2>



WHEN: Selected dates from Fri 28 Nov 



TIME: 4pm &#8211; 6.30pm



Price: £5. Under 2&#8217;s, free



Scott&#8217;s have just announced that they are joining the light trail train for 2025. The popular garden centre will be aglow by the end of November with over 1 MILLION lights! There will be fun walk throughs and photo ops aplenty, and food will be available from Slim Rick&#8217;s BBQ School. Scott&#8217;s knows how to throw an event, so we&#8217;re feeling hopeful that this will be a good one. Pre-bookings only.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enlightened-hylands-estate-chelmsford"><a href="https://www.enlightenedmoments.co.uk/events/hylands-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enlightened</a>, Hylands Estate, Chelmsford</h2>



WHEN: Fri 28 Nov &#8211; Sat 3 Jan



TIME: From 4.30pm



PRICE: Adult, from £12.50. Child, from £8.50. Infants, free



Be captivated by the twinkling tunnels of light and dazzling laser projections, all set within the impressive grounds of the Hylands Estate. Last year was a sell-out (some slots are already full), so act fast if you have a date in mind. This year looks like it will bigger, brighter and bursting with even more magic!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glow-on-the-wild-side-call-of-the-wild-zoo-south-woodham-ferrers"><a href="https://callofthewildzoo.co.uk/tickets/2025-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glow on the Wild Side</a>, Call of the Wild Zoo, South Woodham Ferrers</h2>



WHEN: Sat 6, Sat 13, Sat 20, Mon 22 &amp; Tue 23 Dec



TIME: 4.30pm &#8211; 9pm. Last entry 7pm



PRICE: Adult, £8.50. Child, £7.50. Under 2&#8217;s, free. Members, free



New for 2025, the Call of the Wild Zoo has joined the illumination trail! Kids and adults alike will enjoy this one, whether you&#8217;re on a family outing, or a date with a difference – the glowing pathways and illuminated animal enclosures will create an enchanting experience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enchanted-trail-of-light-colchester-zoo-colchester"><a href="https://www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com/event/enchanted-trail-of-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enchanted Trail of Light</a>, Colchester Zoo, Colchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Enchanted-Advert-2-768x348-1.jpg" alt="Enchanted Trail of Light, Colchester Zoo" class="wp-image-26351" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Enchanted-Advert-2-768x348-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Enchanted-Advert-2-768x348-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Enchanted-Advert-2-768x348-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



WHEN: Selected dates Fri 28 Nov &#8211; Mon 29 Dec



TIME: From 4.30pm. Last entry 7.30pm



PRICE: From £15



This 1 mile route is a nice distance for little legs making it an ideal one for the family, plus you can have a ride on the Festive Road Train. Enjoy new animal sculptures this year, as well as 40m tunnel with over 20,000 lights! Plus, on dates prior to Christmas the big man himself will be popping by via the North Pole! Heads up: Saturdays in November and December are filling up fast!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enchanting-gardens-lit-by-night-kentwell-hall-long-melford"><a href="https://www.kentwell.co.uk/enchanted-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enchanting Gardens Lit by Night</a>, Kentwell Hall, Long Melford</h2>



WHEN: Selected dates Thu 20 Nov &#8211; Sun 21 Dec



TIME: From 5pm. Last entry 8pm



PRICE: Adult, £19.90. Child, from £6.80. Under 3&#8217;s, free



The winding route through the grounds at Kentwell Hall (already stunning by daylight), will be lit up to make it even more majestic. Think light dancing off the moats, dramatic silhouettes from the cedars and yews and a one-of-a-kind Yew Castle. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-epping-ongar-lights-express-epping-ongar-railway-ongar"><a href="https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/epping-ongar-lights-express/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Epping Ongar Lights Express</a>, Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Epping-Ongar.jpg" alt="Epping Ongar Lights Express" class="wp-image-26354" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Epping-Ongar.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Epping-Ongar-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Epping-Ongar-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Epping-Ongar-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Epping-Ongar-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



WHEN: Fri, Sat &amp; Sun evenings from Sat 15 Nov &#8211; Sun 4 Jan, and 29, 30 &amp; 31 Dec



TIME: Various train times



PRICE: Adults, £25. Child, £20



Like the idea of a light show, but not the bit where you have to walk around in the cold? Give this one a go – you get to enjoy the stunning neon views and musical light show while in the comfort of a steam train. There will be singing and dancing to festive music, plus games with the legendary Voiceover Man, of Britain&#8217;s Got Talent and X-Factor fame. Also worth knowing, if you&#8217;re super organised, you can already book tickets for 2026, held at 2025 prices until Feb 2026!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forestlight-audley-end-miniature-railway-saffron-walden"><a href="https://audley-end-railway.co.uk/whats-on/forestlight-enchanted-light-trail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forestlight</a>, Audley End Miniature Railway, Saffron Walden</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ForestLight1_EnchantedForest_AudleyEnd-768x512-1.jpeg" alt="Forestlight, Audley End Miniature Railway" class="wp-image-26355" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ForestLight1_EnchantedForest_AudleyEnd-768x512-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ForestLight1_EnchantedForest_AudleyEnd-768x512-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ForestLight1_EnchantedForest_AudleyEnd-768x512-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ForestLight1_EnchantedForest_AudleyEnd-768x512-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



WHEN: Sat 22 Nov &#8211; Sun 23 Dec



TIME: 4pm &#8211; 8pm. Last entry 6.40pm



PRICE: Adult and children over 92cm, from £10. Child, from £5. Under 1&#8217;s, free



Another railway, but on a smaller scale, this enchanted light trail takes younger ones on a magical journey where the forest comes alive with festive wonder. twinkling lights shimmer in the trees and flicker off mirror balls and baubles. Finish off with warm drinks and marshmallows for toasting (for a small extra cost).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enlightened-castle-park-colchester"><a href="https://www.enlightenedmoments.co.uk/events/colchester-castle-park-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enlightened</a>, Castle Park, Colchester</h2>



WHEN: Fri 12 Dec &#8211; Sun 28 Dec



TIME: From 4.30pm



PRICE: Adult, from £12. Child, from £8.50. Infants, free



Organised by Enlightened Moments, the same event organisers as at Hylands Estate and Markshall Estate, this promises to be an unforgettable night with a sensational show of lights. The entrance is located by the war memorial on the High Street.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/rhs-hyde-hall-glow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 illuminating reasons to book RHS Glow at Hyde Hall</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/magical-memories-the-best-places-to-find-father-christmas-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magical memories: The best places to find Father Christmas this year</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/panto-season-has-arrived-in-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panto season has arrived in Essex! Where to snap up seats this Christmas</a></li>
</ul>

Light it up: The brightest light trails in Essex!

You may also like