Organisers say its all about 'creating traditions' for families as illuminated trail returns for sixth year

The popular illuminated light trail has returned to Belton House for its sixth year as organisers say it is all about "creating family traditions". On Friday, November 22, the National Trust site launched the 2024 illuminated trail near Grantham, which is bigger and better than ever with several new installations.

Ian Cooper has been the general manager of the Belton Estate since before the trail started, and says it has become a "tradition" for many families in the region. He said: "Every year we work with RG Live to obtain new installations, and there are five or six new installations.

"We change it every year to make sure it is worthwhile for people who come regularly, as we find that this is a tradition now. We are in our sixth year and it has become a family tradition and people come back and they expect to see something different."

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The after-dark trail was designed by Culture Creative and produced in partnership with RG Live and the National Trust. This year's event will be taking place until Wednesday, January 1, and it takes more than 100 people to build and run the 1.8km long trail.

The Christmas at Belton event features many different installations, including the Triangulate which is 31m long and made up of 16 multi-coloured bays and the Supernova, which is a large sculptural star piece.

There are around 200 LED battens in the light lines installation alone, and in the fire garden it is estimated that the 2024 event will use around 4,000 candles. When asked his favourite part of this year's event, Mr Cooper explained: "My favourite part is the Meadow of Light, which is basically a field of lights that you walk through whilst it plays Silent Night."

He described it as being "a change of pace" to other parts of the trail, which are louder and more upbeat, to something reflective and calming. Mr Cooper added that: "Everything we try and do is to create family traditions and things that appeal to all generations.

"This is something that has really taken off since we started doing it in 2019 and the feedback we get from families year after year is great." For many people the illuminated trail at Belton House starts off the festive season, and on a sold out night the trail could have 3,500 visitors.

As part of the 2024 event, there is also four food concessions on site, two bars, a marshmallow stand and a chance to meet Santa on the trail itself. There is also a selection of rides, including a Ferris wheel, Victorian swing boats, a train and a helter skelter.