We visited the Beaulieu Christmas Lights in 2018.
There are other things we have done in and around Beaulieu, and the New Forest. It does appear they are not holding the Christmas Light Display in 2019, however, they are holding other events.
I have done the research so you don’t have to!! Check out this page to see what they are hosting for Christmas 2019.
If you still want to read about the Beaulieu Christmas Lights, the below may be of interest if you.
Information on the Beaulieu Christmas Lights
- Address: National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO42 7ZN
- Parking was available in the main Motor Museum car park. There was no charge in 2018.
- Costs – £16.50 a ticket for adults
About our evening
The clouds both overhead and in the distance said the same thing to me. Rain all day. Our evening visit to the National Motor Museum, for the Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail was sure to be a damp one.
We had spent the day running from car to shop. Shop to the car. House to car etc. Dodging rain and jumping over and around puddles. Except for Max, who was exempt from puddle dodging thanks to his wellies.
We have been to Beaulieu before, but never for the Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail.
6 pm arrived. We pulled up at Beaulieu and not surprisingly, stepped out of the car into the rain. We showed our tickets at reception and before we knew it, we were heading back out into the rain.
Hoods got pulled up. Gloved hands got stuffed in pockets. Chin pushed into the chest, and we ventured out to the enjoy the Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail.
Lady luck was looking down on us. Within 5 minutes the rain had stopped.
Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail – The amuse-bouche
We could detach the chins from the chest, to be greeted with a Fairground type area.
A mini Merry-Go-Round served as an aperitif to the traditional Merry-Go-Round. A smallish ‘big’ wheel dominates the night sky lit up in blue, red and green, like an out of shape Christmas tree.
Scattered around were various refreshment stalls. One selling German Bockwurst. Another, seasonally named as Santa’s Sweets, made up two of the vendors.
Unsurprisingly though, the first one to snare some of our cash was one selling Mulled Wine.
That was Suzanne happy, so our attention turned to Max and the lure of the bright lights. The smallish big wheel was too big, he claimed. Even the Merry-Go-Round didn’t cut it. So the mini Merry-Go-Round it was.
We negotiated with him the one ride, and then we set about seeing what we had paid the £16.50 to see.
Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail – The Main Course
It wasn’t difficult to see where the Trail started. The Tunnel of Lights that was at least 100 foot long and 20 foot high was the place to start.
This signalled the start of the one mile walk around the Beaulieu Christmas Lights. Which, after all, was why we were here.
Getting a photo of it with no one walking through it was an accomplishment, and one we didn’t achieve. But we can forgive Max.
A short walk took us through a large courtyard. A Christmas Tree shaped frame adorned with Stars and Candles dominated the middle of the square. Workers with Blow Torches seemed to be wandering around, perpetually relighting candles.
Candles that, along with the historical surroundings, gave a medieval feel to the courtyard.
Then, through a uncover walkway and we found Santa. Not in a sleigh, or up a chimney, but atop an old-fashioned red bus. After 5 minutes of joviality and a rendition of Jingle Bells, we moved on.
We’d been going for at least 30 minutes at this point. Maybe even 35. So a pitstop was in order.
Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail – A sweet treat
Enter the stall selling Gourmet Marshmallows. Flavours such as Pasion Fruit & Champagne, Gingerbread and Vanilla were three options.
After choosing our flavour, we head to a fire bowl that had been set up. The embers glow invitingly beneath the black coals. No flames to speak off, so we had to settle for a warmed marshmallow rather than a full-on toasted one.
We move on to the next attention-grabbing light display. This time, accompanied to music. A series of screens set up. Each screen lit up to coincide with the start of the 12 Days of Christmas tune we all know.
As it goes through the numbers, the screen popped on. Each one showing a picture resembling the Eight Maids-a-Milking or Seven Swans-a-Swimming.
Culminating in that Partridge in a Pear Tree, we have all grown fond of over the years.
On the homeward stretch of the trail now, we enjoy plenty of seated areas draped in lights. Various light tunnels, some guarded by Toy Soldiers. Others left to fend for themselves.
The manor house illuminated in all the colours of the rainbow. Footbridges lit up by hundreds of fairy lights. A whole field of Light Flowers, alternating between colours as we amble passed.
A 25 foot Christmas Tree with colour changing lights played to music. Merry Christmas emblazoned on the wall one of the last things that catch our attention.
Before this though, worthy of a mention, we came across the Wishing Tree. A chance for visitors to write a note expressing their thoughts or wishes. One note, in particular, catches our eye.
We wish Leo’s dad all the best. A poignant moment on an otherwise enlightening and enjoyable visit.
Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail – The End
And before we know it, we find ourselves back where we started in the Fairground type area.
We have avoided the rain and enjoyed the lights. We toasted marshmallows and even seen Santa atop the open roof bus.
If anyone was thinking of going when Beaulieu Christmas Light Trail when Christmas 2019 comes along, we would certainly recommend it. While £16.50 may seem a lot for an evening walk, in my opinion, it is worth it.
Especially if you have young ones (below 5s were free) to see their faces as they walk around.
And we hope you are as lucky with the weather as we were!
