Looking for a festive light trail near Norwich that brings the Christmas sparkle without the long walk? Let it Glow at Caistor Hall might be just what you’re after. Brand-new for 2025, this light trail offers a relaxed, family-friendly evening in a beautiful woodland setting. Plus, it’s only a short drive from Norwich, with free parking and a cosy indoor space to enjoy before or after your walk.
In this post, we’re sharing what to expect, how it compares to other Norfolk light trails, and why Let it Glow could be the perfect festive outing if you’re looking for something low-key and close to home.
*We were invited to Let it Glow so that we could share our experience with our readers.
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About Let it Glow
Let it Glow is a new Christmas light trail held in the grounds of Caistor Hall, a historic country house hotel just outside Norwich. Designed as a festive outing for all ages, the one-kilometre trail winds through wooded paths dotted with lights, immersive displays, and whimsical touches. There’s also a marquee with food, drinks, photo ops, and even a bouncy castle, making it more than just a walk through the woods.
What to Expect on the Trail
We were excited to check out Let it Glow, especially as we’ve enjoyed other light trails around Norfolk. From the moment we arrived, Caistor Hall looked beautiful, lit up with colourful rainbow lights. We entered Let it Glow through a wardrobe, so it felt like stepping into another world.
Some of our favourite features along the trail included:
- A glowing green hexagonal portal that Russell said reminded him of something from Star Wars
- The smoke and bubble machine in Mirror Ball Grove, which created a lovely atmosphere even though the wind gave it a challenge
- A cosy igloo with comfy chairs where you could take a break
- A few Elf on the Shelf characters hidden along the way, which children will enjoy spotting
Throughout the walk, soft instrumental Christmas music played in the background, adding to the calm and festive mood. Since the trail is only one kilometre long, it’s perfect for young children or anyone who wants to enjoy a gentle walk without covering a lot of ground.
We felt we had plenty of time and space to enjoy each installation and the lack of crowds during our visit made the experience feel even more special.
Indoor Festivities: The Marquee Experience
It was great to see indoor space included as part of the event. The marquee offered a warm and welcoming spot to relax either before or after the trail.
Inside, there were:
- Plenty of seating areas
- A bouncy castle for children
- Photo opportunities throughout
- Food from The Bucket List
- A drinks bar serving hot chocolate, coffee, and mulled wine
For those after something stronger, the full bar inside Caistor Hall is open as well.
Let it Glow vs Luminate and Thursford
While Let it Glow is a smaller light trail compared to Luminate and the Enchanted Journey of Light at Thursford, it brings its own charm and convenience. Here’s how it compares:
- Luminate offers a much longer trail with plenty of interactive elements, making it ideal for those looking for a full evening of festive entertainment. Tickets must be booked in advance for a specific time slot, and it’s priced accordingly. It’s also located just over an hour’s drive from Norwich, so it’s more of a destination outing. Read more about Luminate.
- Thursford’s Enchanted Journey of Light takes place at the Thursford Collection, where they also have the Thursford Christmas Spectacular It’s about a 50-minute drive from Norwich. The experience includes a large indoor section called Fantasyland, filled with animatronic displays, and an outdoor trail featuring glowing installations, many of which are animal-themed. On select dates, you can also book to see Father Christmas. Read more about the Enchanted Journey of Light.
- Let it Glow is a more low-key experience that’s ideal for younger children, local families, or anyone after a shorter and more relaxed festive evening. It’s more affordable, closer to Norwich, and doesn’t require advance booking for a timed slot, which adds flexibility.
Each event offers something different, and it’s lovely to have a range of festive options across Norfolk to suit different preferences and budgets.
Who Will Enjoy Let it Glow?
Let it Glow is especially well suited for:
- Families with young children
- Couples looking for a cosy festive evening
- Dog owners (well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome)
- Anyone who prefers a gentle stroll rather than a long walk
Getting There and What to Know
Caistor Hall is located off Stoke Road in Caistor St Edmund, around ten minutes from Norwich city centre. Parking is free and conveniently close to the entrance.
Do keep in mind that the trail runs through woodland with uneven paths, so it may not be suitable for wheelchairs or prams with small wheels.
Check the official website for current opening hours and ticket information.
Is Let it Glow Worth Visiting?
We really enjoyed our visit to Let it Glow and were impressed with the effort that’s gone into creating a festive and welcoming event. It’s a smaller trail, but full of charm, and it felt relaxed and peaceful.
If you’re after a Christmas light trail near Norwich that’s easy to get to, not too long, and offers a bit of everything (lights, food, drinks, and indoor seating), this one is well worth a look.
Have you visited Let it Glow yet or is it on your list for next year? We’d love to hear what you thought.