For 2022, the Hestercombe spectacular ILLUMINATE returns with even more of a bang than before. Three times larger and even more impressive than previous years, enjoy a star-studded display that will amaze and inspire.

Journey to a wonderland of winter light, where you’ll weave your way through beautifully lit paths and walkways, through the Landscape and Formal Gardens, to soak up the atmosphere across three centuries of gardens.

Perfect for the whole family to experience together, from November 24, ILLUMINATE will be lighting up the gardens in a way never seen before, with 3D lattice stars, floodlights, spotlights, festoons and colour all adding to that ultimate feeling of Christmas wonder.

Somerset County Gazette: ILLUMINATE will transport you on a magical journey to bring an extra level of wonder to the trails. ILLUMINATE will transport you on a magical journey to bring an extra level of wonder to the trails. (Image: Hestercombe Gardens)

Running throughout the festive season, ILLUMINATE will transport you on a magical journey to bring an extra level of wonder to the trails. The natural features and views of the Landscape and Formal Gardens come to life at night, with the spotlights and coloured paths drawing you up towards the Great Cascade and beyond, towards Sibyl’s Temple and back down past the Pear Pond, the Box Pond, towards the Orangery Lawn and the Great Plat. 

The new Terrace Seat overlooking the Landscape Gardens towards the Mausoleum is the newest addition to the gardens and offers the perfect vista to take a moment and breath in the magic.

You’ll experience the giant suspended mirror ball, hanging from between the large trees in the valley, with spotlights beaming across the valley reflecting lights from the mirrors across the water below.

Somerset County Gazette: Hestercombe Gardens, journey to a wonderland of winter lightHestercombe Gardens, journey to a wonderland of winter light (Image: Hestercombe Gardens)

The Orangery Lawn will be home to an array of 3D interactive lattice stars, and the Pergola will become an enchanted walkway of fairy lights.

The water areas will look enchanting too, with the waterfall, ponds, and rills lit to really bring the gardens alive.

As a dog-friendly site, why not bring your four-legged friend to enjoy the Christmas spectacle too?

Somerset County Gazette: As a dog-friendly site, why not bring your four-legged friend to enjoy the Christmas spectacle As a dog-friendly site, why not bring your four-legged friend to enjoy the Christmas spectacle (Image: Hestercombe Gardens)

Once you’ve walked up an appetite, warm yourself with some delicious, crumbly mince pies and piping hot chocolate or mulled wine to end the trail at Hestercombe’s Stables Restaurant and Caffè and Gelato.

Tickets for ILLUMINATE are selling fast so make sure you get yours sooner rather than later. On sale now through the Hestercombe website you can book through www.hestercombe.com

Find out more about the ILLUMINATE event and our other Christmas offerings at Hestercombe, at: www.hestercombe.com/illuminate