Winter wonderlands worth escaping London for

RHS Wisley, Woking

Glorious real blooms meet gorgeous illuminated ones in RHS Wisley's Glow 2019 event, featuring Jigantics light installations of flowers around the garden and a glasshouse display. This may be just the ticket to inspire that love of gardening in the next generation.

Photo: RHS/Joanna Kossak

Wakehurst, Sussex

Glow Wild's magical lantern trail at Wakehurst, now in its sixth year, has plenty to delight children of all ages: projections and lights illuminate the trees and ponds, including the UK's tallest-living Christmas tree, adorned with 1,800 lights. Lantern making, festive shopping and Christmassy food are all available, too.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Spend a day at Blenheim with the kids for some fantastic festive fun: enjoy the illuminated light trail through the gardens with Victorian carousel and helter-skelter rides (plus a scented Fire Garden, Water Terrace light show and 100,000 pea lights adorning the Tunnel of Light), before finishing off with some toasted marshmallows around the fire. You can also stock up on Christmas ornaments and trinkets at the Christmas market and enjoy an Alice in the Palace immersive and magical Alice in Wonderland experience.

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury

19th century Waddesdon Manor may only be an hour and twenty minutes' drive from central London, but it will take you and your family to another planet when it comes to Christmas extravaganzas. Waddesdon Manor doesn't do winter wonderland, they live and breathe it, prepping their Christmas festivities for 18 months and adorning the house's 10 15-foot Christmas trees with over 10,000 pea lights and 3,000 baubles. Educational bonus points for kids who attempt to count them all... The super-kid friendly Christmas events include kids' afternoon teas, trails and a Christmas fair. This year's Christmas decor theme is inspired by the music of Christmas, from traditional carols to contemporary favourites. Have a holly jolly one.

Photo: Hugh Mothersole

Hever Castle, Kent

Anne Boleyn's childhood home, Hever Castle and Gardens in Kent, has a reputation for hosting one of the best Christmas winter wonderland spectacles. The Twilight Christmas event, where the castle is illuminated after-hours and characters like Alice in Wonderland happen to be frolicking around the gardens, tends to sell out long in advance - so don't delay. You can even book in for a Santa's Grotto and Toy Workshop experience as part of it. If you prefer Hever by day, enjoy a brisk winter walk in the Winter Garden, channel your inner Circe and teach the kids to spot hellebore, viburnum, dogwood and more.

Photo: Hever Castle and Gardens

Eltham Palace and Gardens, London

Six English Heritage sites around the UK including super-close-to-London-destinations like Audley End House and Gardens in Essex and Walmer Castle and Gardens in Kent are transformed for the month of December for the Enchanted season. Londoners don't need to go far to enjoy the light, colour and sound trails, fairground rides and mince pies; Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich is taking part, too.

Photo: English Heritage