Winter Light Trail FAQs

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Within the trail we will have a wonderful selection of sweet and savoury options to enjoy, the food village is by the lake, and can be accessed AFTER your visit. Bookable private chalets are also available, serving up a selection of festival favourites and warming hot chocolate. You can find more information here.

Vegan and vegetarian food options available.

Please note you will only be able to access this area with a valid ticket for the light trail.

You will receive an e-ticket. You will not receive a physical ticket for this event. Your e-ticket can be added to your wallet, shown on your email or printed off, you must show your QR code on your email on entry.

Please check your junk if you cannot find this email.

Our tickets operate on a peak/standard/off peak basis.

Peak

Adult: £22.50
Child: £17
Family: £65

Standard

Adult: £20
Child: £15
Family: £60

Off Peak

Adult: £17.50
Child: £13
Family: £55

For children aged 2 or under it is free of charge, however you need to obtain a free ticket when purchasing adult tickets. A child is someone aged between 2 and 15.

You will receive an e-ticket. You will not receive a physical ticket for this event.

Your e-ticket can be added to your wallet, shown on your email or printed off. You must show your QR code on your email on entry.

Please check your junk if you cannot find this email.

Unfortunately this means the timeslot is now at capacity, and whilst we appreciate you’d like to go round together, we must limit sessions to ensure everyone gets the best experience possible. Bare in mind that once you are within the trail during your allotted time slot, you are free to go round at your own pace.

Our team are on hand to reply to enquiries Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm, if it is a weekend, we suggest visiting the onsite team who will be happy to help.

You can contact us at hello@winterlighttrail.co.uk – please state which trail your booking is for within your email.

Yes, the trail is dog friendly, however we ask you keep your dog on a lead and on the path at all times, clean up after your dog and ensure you are keeping the wildlife of the gardens safe.

If the weather presents a hazard and a risk to safety, any decision to cancel the Winter Light Trail will be taken by 2pm on the day. You will be notified by email and text message and you will be informed of the re-booking process.

You will be able to change the date of your booking to a like-for-like session (subject to availability) through the SeeTickets booking portal, here

You can also contact SeeTickets customer service directly via the portal.

Read all T&Cs here

There is no set “close” time for the trail, and guests in the last session will have plenty of time to walk around at their leisure, without being rushed.

You must enter the trail within your booked 20 minute time slot. The trail entrance will close 30 minutes after the last session time.

Unfortunately if you are unable to add all the required tickets to your booking, the session is almost at capacity. In this case, please try an alternative session.

If a session is showing as “Not Available” then it is fully booked.

We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment as many key dates will sell out.

Our tickets operate on a super off peak / off peak / standard / peak basis.

Ticket types

Child: Age 3-15 inclusive

Adult: Age 16-59 inclusive

Concession: Age 60+

Family: 2 adults & 2 children

For infants under 2, you will need to add a FREE infant ticket to your order when booking your tickets.

Please be aware that anyone with a child ticket MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Carer/PA ticket

Should you require a carer/PA to accompany you on your visit, you must purchase a ticket for yourself, and then add a FREE carer ticket during booking. When prompted, please upload your required supporting document to validate your carer ticket.

SeeTickets will contact you if they require further information. If you do not hear from SeeTickets before your visit then your carer ticket is valid.

PRICES

Super Off Peak
Child/concession: £12.50
Adult £17
Family £50

Off Peak
Child/concession: £14
Adult: £18.50
Family: £57

Standard
Child/concession: £16
Adult: £20.95
Family: £63

Peak
Child/concession: £18.50
Adult: £24.75
Family: £70

*Please note that SeeTickets charge a small booking fee, per booking.

If you booked the wrong location, you can contact See Tickets to change your booking here: https://trenthamwinterlighttrail.seetickets.com/customerservice

Unfortunately if a session is unavailable, that means we have sold out and you will need to book for the next available slot.

Should their be availability you will be able to pay on the door, but it is advised to book in advance to get your space.

Please note on the door tickets will be more expensive than in advance. We can only accept card payment for on the door sales.

Due to capacity you will need to stick to your allotted time slot. Please check traffic before you travel and allow plenty of time to get parked and make your way to the light trail entrance.

Please note, if you are on the last slot and running late, we may not be able to accommodate you on the trail that evening. Please ensure you enter at your allocated time.

Whilst suitable for most wheelchair, mobility scooter and pushchair users, there are some areas of uneven hardstanding and matting. Please contact us via email should you have any concerns.

The Light Trail has been designed to be as accessible as possible. Please find full information on Trentham’s accessibility features here.

If you require a carer to accompany you on your visit, please ensure you add a FREE carer ticket to your order when booking.

You will be prompted to upload one of the following supporting documents:

  • PIP (Personal independence payment)

  • DLA – care and/or mobility

  • Letter from a medical professional

  • D/deaf or blind registration

  • The Access Card or equivalent with a +1 Icon for PA tickets

  • Attendance Allowance Letter

Once uploaded, SeeTickets will review and reach out should they require further information. If you do not hear from SeeTickets then your carer ticket is valid for your booking!

Please note that carer tickets must only be booked on the expectation that they are willing and able to assist you throughout your visit, and would be available and able to help you in the event of an evacuation.

We cannot refund any tickets purchased for your PA/Carer if you have purchased one by mistake.

New for 2025, we are delighted to offer SEN sessions.

These will offer:

  • Quieter soundscapes

  • Twilight times for a less intense light experience

  • Limited capacity to ensure a comfortable visit for SEN customers

SEN sessions are available on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 26 November – 4pm

  • Wednesday 3 December – 4pm

Please enter the trail from 4pm-4:20pm, and enjoy a relaxed walk taking in all the displays.

Please be aware that as the next non-SEN sessions begin (5pm), the volume will begin to increase through the trail, starting from the first display and this will be gradually staggered through the trail. Capacity for each session from 5pm onwards on these dates will also increase.

The trail ends at our food village and the volume of music in this area will be quieter for the duration of the SEN session. Music in the food village will be turned up from 6pm.

If you have any questions about our SEN sessions, please contact us.

We politely ask that other guests respect the SEN sessions and avoid booking them if they do not need to.

There will be lasers and strobe lights used in the trail. Alternative routes will be provided should you need to avoid these for any reason.

You must enter the trail itself within your 20 minute session time, do NOT head to the Apres Bar once you have entered through the visitor centre. Please note this 20 minute time slot is not the duration of your booking, just the time period you must enter within. Once you are in the trail, there is no set time limit.

The trail is just over a mile long, and includes a number of stunning installations, soundscapes, illuminations and interactive activities. You are welcome to wander through it and take everything in at your own pace.

The trail entrance will close 30 minutes after the last session time. Please be advised that, although you can take as long as you like to wander around, once you finish the trail there is no re-entry.

So take your time to take it all in whilst you’re on the trail…

Unfortunately not. The trail will be too busy and the paths are not suitable.

Parking on site is free of charge on a first come first served basis.

Disabled parking spaces are available throughout our car park, including outside the Garden Centre, next to the Tesla superchargers, near the toilet block at the Shopping Village, and at the south end of the Shopping Village. These spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis for those with a Blue Badge indicating a mobility issue. We request that the Blue Badge holder be present in the vehicle and that the badge is displayed clearly.

Bookings for the mini chalets will open soon!

Please note you will ONLY be able to access the chalet if you have a ticket for the Winter Light Trail on the same day.

You can ONLY book a mini chalet for AFTER your light trail session, and we would advise allowing around 1 hour to walk the trail beforehand.

The mini chalets are located by the lake in Trentham Gardens. You will ONLY be able to access them with a Winter Light Trail booking.

Upon entry, turn right to begin the light trail immediately. The trail finishes at the food village and mini chalets and you can ONLY book a mini chalet for AFTER your light trail.

There are toilet facilities near the entrance to the visitor centre, at the car park and on the trail, including disabled facilities and baby changing.

Trentham Shopping Village is open 10am – 5.30pm daily, with a delightful mix of gift shops, cosy cafes and quirky stores, housed in timber lodges. For more information, please click here.

Please note that we are not affiliated with the shopping village, and therefore cannot guarantee which shops and restaurants will be open on the date of your visit.

As the Great British weather is unpredictable, we suggest wearing winter boots or wellies (and definitely not brand new white trainers!) and a suitable outdoor coat to keep you warm and dry! While a lot of the trail is on hard standing, please be aware that some areas of the trail may get a bit muddy if it rains, so please dress accordingly.

Thank you for your interest! Please fill in the form here and a member of our operations team will get back to you!

The Trentham Winter Light trail is located in Trentham Gardens, accessed via the shopping village at Trentham Estate, Stone Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8JG.

What 3 Words location: ///turned.cried.pepper

It is easily accessible whether you’re travelling from the North or South, and a short drive from J15 of the M6.

From the M6
– Exit junction 15 of M6
– Follow A500 towards Stoke-on-Trent for 1 mile
– Exit right at roundabout and follow A34 towards Stone
– Trentham’s main North Entrance is 1 mile on the right
– For South Entrance continue on A34 for another mile exiting right at the next roundabout

From The A50
– At Sideway Roundabout
– Exit left at roundabout and follow A500 for 1 mile
– Exit left at roundabout and follow A34 towards Stone
– Trentham’s main North Entrance is 1 mile on the right
– For South Entrance continue on A34 for another mile exiting right at the next roundabout