Every winter, the Longleat Festival of Light transforms a stately Wiltshire estate into a technicolour wonderland of giant lanterns, roaring open fires and festive thrills. The 2025 edition cranks the magic up a notch with a brand‑new “British Icons with Wallace & Gromit and friends” storyline, promising the most imaginative displays in the event’s 11‑year history. Think London landmarks, Shaun the Sheep mischief and classic red phone boxes—re‑imagined in glowing silk and steel. Whether you’re a first‑timer or a seasoned lantern‑hunter, this deep‑dive will arm you with everything you need to plan, book and savour your visit.
Longleat Festival of Light 2025 “British Icons” Theme Explained
The creative team has partnered with Aardman Animations to weave beloved characters—Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run’s Rocky & Ginger—into a patriotic whistle‑stop tour of British culture and wildlife. Expect:
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A 5‑metre‐tall Wallace & Gromit blasting off in the moon rocket from A Grand Day Out.
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Lantern replicas of Stonehenge, Tower Bridge and the Angel of the North.
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A dazzle of native creatures, from red squirrels to Highland cattle, glowing beneath winter skies.
Longleat Festival of Light 2025 Dates & Opening Hours
| Season | Selected operating dates* | Lantern trail switch‑on | Park closing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2025‑26 | 8th Nov 2025 – 11th Jan 2026 | 4:30 pm (dusk) | 7:30 pm |
* Closed most Mondays & Tuesdays outside school holidays—always double‑check the booking calendar before you drive.
Ticket Prices & Types for 2025
| Ticket type | Adult (16 +) | Child (3‑15) | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Ticket | from £46.95 | from £34.95 | Full park + Safari + Lanterns |
| Non‑Safari Day | from £39.95 | from £29.95 | Lanterns, shows & rides only |
| Twilight Ticket (entry from 3 pm) | from £27.95 | from £20.95 | Lantern trail, shows & rides (no Safari) |
Under‑3s and registered carers go free; Santa Train, house tours and animal feeds are paid extras.
Booking hack: Popular weekends and Santa Train slots sell out by September. Lock in both your Festival of Light ticket and Santa Train seat in the same transaction to avoid separate booking fees. Tickets can be booked here.
Best Time to See the Lanterns & Crowd‑Beating Tips
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Arrive for gates‑open (10 am) to enjoy the Safari and walk‑through attractions in daylight; break for dinner, then re‑enter the lantern trail at dusk for a calmer flow.
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Mid‑week twilight tickets in late November typically see the lightest footfall.
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Head straight for the back of the trail first (near Half‑Mile Pond) and work forwards to dodge the initial bottleneck.
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Bring layers—Wiltshire evenings can dip below 3 °C, and you’ll average 7,000 steps on the loop.
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Got small children? A sturdy stroller navigates the buggy‑friendly paths, but consider baby ear defenders during the Enchanted Christmas Tree show (short bursts of loud music).
How to Get to Longleat Festival of Light
By Car
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Postcode: BA12 7NW—follow the brown safari signs from the A36.
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Parking is free and plentiful; marshals direct you on arrival. EV owners can top up in Silver Birch Car Park (7.4 kW; £0.70 per kWh; bring your own cable).
By Train + Bus
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Warminster (6 mi) and Frome (7 mi) are the closest rail stations with connections from London Waterloo, Bristol and Bath.
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Catch the dedicated D1 bus or a pre‑booked coach package; most day‑trip tours bundle lantern entry.
Must‑See Lantern Highlights & Route Overview
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The Grand Entrance – Giant Union Jack gateway flanked by towering Beefeaters.
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Wallace & Gromit Moon Launch – Kinetic rocket counting down beside Longleat House.
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London Calling – Life‑size Tube carriage, red phone boxes and a 10 m Tower Bridge arch over the path.
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Great British Wildlife Garden – Illuminated badgers, barn owls and a swooping golden eagle.
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Shaun the Sheep Farmyard Finale – Flossy dancing sheep synced to an upbeat soundtrack.
Visiting with Children
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Book the Enchanted Christmas Tree show early; capacity is limited.
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Use family toilets beside the Jungle Kingdom to avoid queuing at entrance facilities.
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Warm‑up zones: indoor Adventure Castle (soft‑play) and Main Square eateries.
Accessibility & Quiet‑Hour Advice
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The lantern route is paved and wheelchair/buggy friendly; free carer tickets available.
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Borrow manual wheelchairs at Guest Services (first‑come, first‑served).
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If sensory overload is a concern, aim for opening week mid‑week—crowds and audio levels are gentler.
Food & Drink
Expect winter comfort food: Yorkshire pudding wraps, loaded hot chocolates, mulled cider and vegan curry pods. Indoor seating is in the Orangery Café; fire‑pit marshmallow toasting stalls line the lantern loop.
Where to Stay Near Longleat Festival of Light
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On‑site: Luxury treehouses & lakeside cabins (book a year ahead).
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Budget hotels: Travelodge Warminster (15 min), Premier Inn Frome (18 min).
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Character stays: Georgian guest houses in Bath (35 min) offer park‑and‑ride connections.
Is the Longleat Festival of Light 2025 Worth It?
Absolutely. Between the nostalgic Aardman theme, free parking and the bonus of a drive‑through winter Safari, Longleat offers far more than a typical light trail. Book early, layer up and prepare for a “grand day out” that glows long after the lights switch off.
Longleat Festival of Light 2025 – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is parking free at Longleat Festival of Light?
Yes—parking is completely free and automatically included with every ticket type, so you don’t pay a penny extra to leave your car on‑site.
Q2. Do I need to pre‑book Longleat Festival of Light tickets in advance?
Absolutely. The Festival of Light regularly sells out, and Longleat states that when online allocations are gone there are no walk‑up tickets at the gate, so book early.
Q3. How long does it take to walk the Longleat Festival of Light trail?
Most visitors allow 2–3 hours to complete the full lantern loop, stop for photos and browse food stalls.
Q4. What time do the lanterns switch on at Longleat Festival of Light?
The lights are illuminated at about 4 pm (4 : 30 pm on peak December dates), just after dusk, and stay on until park close at 7 : 30 pm.
Q5. Are dogs allowed at Longleat Festival of Light?
No—pets (other than registered assistance dogs) are not permitted anywhere in the park during the event.
Q6. Can I pay with Tesco Clubcard vouchers for Longleat Festival of Light tickets?
Yes, Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be redeemed only against Festival of Light Day Tickets; they don’t cover extras such as the Santa Train or house tours.
Q7. Does a standard Day Ticket include the Festival of Light lanterns?
Yes—Day Tickets give you full access to the Safari, lantern trail and all main‑season attractions up to 7 : 30 pm. (Non‑Safari Day and Twilight tickets offer reduced access at lower prices.)
Q8. Is Longleat Festival of Light wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The lantern route follows wide, level, concrete paths suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters; free carer tickets are offered and accessible toilets are available.
Q9. Is the drive‑through Safari included when I visit for the Festival of Light?
Only if you buy a Day Ticket (or group equivalent). Non‑Safari Day and Twilight tickets exclude the 6.5‑mile winter Safari drive‑through.
Q10. What should I wear to the Longleat Festival of Light?
The event is fully outdoors and winter evenings can dip below 3 °C. Dress in warm, waterproof layers and comfortable boots.
Q11. Is there a Blue‑Light or Armed Forces discount for the Festival of Light?
Yes. Longleat offers dedicated Emergency Services and Armed Forces ticket links for discounted Festival of Light Day Tickets—valid ID or Blue Light Card is required.
