For the past few years we have been invited to review the Christmas light trail at Blenheim Palace and I always have high expectations. This blog is all above value for money, and it isn’t cheap, so I want to know you are getting what you pay for. Also, how would it compare to last year? If you have been in previous years is it worth going back again? I knew the 2024 Christmas Trail at Blenheim Palace had a few new additions so I couldn’t wait to check them out!
We were very kindly invited to the press preview of the Christmas light trail and Christmas at the Palace but they did not see this review prior to publication and had no input into the contents. Also I’m going back later in the season using self purchased tickets but I wanted to give you all a sneak peak as soon as possible. We have held self-purchased annual passes for many years.
The rights to Peter Pan and Neverland are owned by Great Ormond Street Hospital who are working with Blenheim Palace this year to raise money to support the hospital.
We’re huge fans of Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire. It’s such an amazing family day out. The fact that you can convert your Christmas Palace and light trail ticket to a free annual pass makes it even better value. Being an annual pass holder also gives you a small discount at events like this. For my full review of Blenheim Palace more generally read here. Little money saving tip; if you book your tickets for the middle / end of this season then you’ll get free palace admission and a discount on trail admission next year.
Inside the palace
This year the Christmas decorations inside Blenheim Palace itself have a theme of the Neverland. As soon as you step in the door you’re greeted with the most magnificent tree and a huge clock. And that sets the tone for the scale of decoration for the night. You take a slightly shorter same route as you normally go through when visiting the house during the rest of the year. In comparison to last year there seemed to be less of a focus on trees but the decorations were no less spectacular for that.
In each room represents a different scene from the Peter Pan story. That’s actually one of the things I love the most about Blenheim Palace at Christmas, the way it tells a story. The kids also have to hunt for Tinkerbell in each room, and this year she actually moves.
Literally every single room is magical and full of decoration. It really could have been OTT but (and it could well be down to the setting) it works! And this year they have stepped it up a gear. There’s projections in various rooms so you can watch mermaids swimming and make sure you look up in each room just in case!!
My favourite room is usually the library. In some respects there’s less decorations in here this year… but that’s because there’s a freaking boat in there instead. I’m not sure it’s actually life-size but it’s MASSIVE!!
All finished off with a beautiful wishing tree!
The Christmas light trail at Blenheim Palace
I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that the Christmas lights trail at Blenheim Palace was legendary. Partially because it’s spectacular, with over 1,000,000 lights, and partially because it is one of the most expensive Christmas events in Oxfordshire! It’s also long, so be wary of that if you’ve got little legs. Once again the route goes back down to the cascades.
There are sections that have fine gravel but pushchairs seemed to be OK. Because of the route change there are some relatively gentle slopes which is something to be mindful of for those with mobility issues. .
The Christmas lights trail at Blenheim Palace can be busy depending on when you go so here’s a top tip – don’t stop as soon as you get to an illumination. With almost every single one of the big stops along the way, it will get quite crowded at the beginning because everyone stops to look at it. If you move slightly further along you still get a great view, but there’s less people!
There’s literally nothing rubbish about this trail, and there aren’t really any low-points! There were definitely some changes from previous years, and I did feel like in places there were less “filler” lights between the different sections but there are still soooooo many main lights to see everywhere. It’s literally just the background trees that weren’t lit up as much this year.
Something they have at Blenheim Palace this year that I haven’t seen at any other Christmas light trail is dancing water fountains. The show lasts for a couple of minutes but it’s very good. They have stepped this up a gear this year as well with the addition of extra lighting behind the lake. There’s a viewing platform in front of the main refreshment tent, seating area and toilets. It’s about 3/4 of the way around so a good spot for a break.
Smell-o-trail
One thing the Christmas trail at Blenheim Palace does really well is make the whole experience really immersive. Not only does each section have its own music, but certain sections also have their own smells!!! The gingerbread house smells of mulled wine.
The arch of lights
There’s the arch of lights that they have every year, but makes a beautiful photo opportunity. It also slightly messes with your head as you walk through, or is that just me?? If you don’t take a photo in this tunnel then there’s no point in even visiting! Do not be fooled by this photo, it’s actually from a previous year and it’s in a different place this year. We got really lucky and it was probably the only time it will be empty and it was a fluke! This is always the busiest part of the trail. Same rule applies though, walk almost to the end to take your photo and it’s much quieter.
Something new for 2024
I’m not going through all of the lights, not because they’re pants, but because this review of the Christmas light trail at Blenheim Palace would be massive if I covered everything you’ll see. Honestly there’s so much here.
However there is something new at 2024 and that’s an ice rink! It’s right in front of the palace and you do need to pre-book your 45 minute slot. We had a go and it’s such a giggle. You can hire skate aids for kids under 120cm. Sadly this meant Smallest Child (7) was too tall so she and I basically just went around the edge holding on to the bar the whole time. Towards the end she did get her confidence though so apparently we have to take up ice skating now!
We did have one little fall and a marshall came straight over and asked if Smallest Child was ok and if she was hurt. He then praised her for getting back up on her feet and set her off again with a smile. It was really lovely and showed how well everyone was being looked after.
They have a cloakroom for your stuff (including shopping) which was advertised as £2 per item. The skate rental is included in the price. There’s viewing right next to the rink so if you’re not skating you can still watch the fun.
I got a photo between sessions so you can see what the rink is like. I didn’t get anything whilst we were actually skating because I was too busy concentrating! Sorry.
The Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace
The Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace is in the courtyard just outside of the front door of the palace. (Like it has a normal front door!) It’s the starting place for both the light trail and to look around the palace. Admission is included with certain other things (it gets complicated and I can’t be bothered to explain. Check their website!). There’s stalls selling all kinds of Christmas treats and gifts.
Another place to mention is the outer courtyard. Here you’ll find an old school carousel, helter skelter and a couple of other rides. They’re £3 each. Smallest Child adored the carousel. I was less impressed with the helter skelter. That price is for just one trip down the slide. Yup one! Ouch.
Brand new this year there is also a ferris wheel which looked absolutely awesome from afar. It was £25 per family of 4 though and I did wonder how much we’d actually be able to see in the pitch dark so we didn’t bother.
Our Christmas light trail at Blenheim Palace review
Wow! Just wow! There’s no getting away from the fact that to visit both the Christmas light trail and the house decorations at Blenheim Palace is incredibly expensive. It’s natural to compare it to the Waddesdon Manor, which is 2/3rds the price, but the light trail here is much, much longer and significantly better. Quite frankly it stomps all over it! You really do get what you pay for.
The price is off-putting initially, in fact I’d put of going for many years. I’m soooooo glad we got to do it though and I’d pay to go again. The kids loved it. I loved it. Hubby loved it. Because you also get an annual pass with the combined ticket it’s actually really good value for money.
The Christmas market was disappointing, and did leave us twiddling our thumbs. There’s nothing really to do on site if you’re not doing the trail or inside the palace, so I’d bear that in mind when booking your time slots. We took almost an hour to walk around the house. The Christmas light trail itself took us an hour and a half.
Admission Cost
A family ticket is £104 for the trail, £99 for the palace or £197 for both, plus £10 parking. Annual pass-holders get free entry to the palace on certain times/dates but still pay £10 for parking If you buy a palace ticket then you can convert it to an annual pass for FREE on the day and get free admission to the palace and grounds for the rest of the year, saving £99.
Skating is £60 per family. £5 per skating aid.
These prices for the Christmas light trail at Blenheim Palace and Christmas at the Palace have been updated for 2024, and were correct at the time of publication. They are for a peak time-slot, prices will vary at other times.
The trail tends to sell out much more quickly than the palace does. To check the latest availability and book visit their website.
Parking / How to get there
Parking – There’s plenty of parking on-site but you should pre-book to guarantee a space. £10 per car.
Address – Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP
Toilets
There are toilets outside the palace. Additionally, there are also loos at the beginning of the trail and about 3/4 of the way along.
Food
There’s plenty of food stalls. Some are better value than others! You can take your own food.
For lots of other Christmas reviews and the what’s on guides for Oxon, Bucks, Beds & Herts have a look at the Free Time with the Kids Christmas pages.
I’m Vicky and I am a mum of three living in Aylesbury. I set up Free Time with the Kids to review free and cheap family days out in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, mainly because I kept forgetting all the fabulous places that were recommended to me!! I love getting out and about with the kids (and hubby of course) and we have adventures all over the place. My reviews tell you all the things you need to know about the family days out and activities we’ve done such as how much it costs, if there’s parking, toilets and if there’s a cafe or if picnics are allowed. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook