✨️ Ashridge House Illuminated returns for 2025, ready to light up Hertfordshire with over 20 sparkling light displays - including brand new installations - and a better than ever festive food village, offering visitors this year a truly elevated experience.

🗓 2025/2026 DATES & TIMES
▪️Open from 27th November 2025 through 1st January 2026
▪️First entry from 4pm, last entry from 7:30pm

🤩 WHAT TO EXPECT
Magic illuminates every step along the 1.7km trail that weaves through the estate’s historic Grade II* listed gardens, where more than 20 dazzling installations will mesmerise each and every visitor. With more magical moments and festive photo opps than ever before, including never-before-seen displays, Ashridge House Illuminations is not to be missed!

🎡 NEW FOR 2025 / FROM £6.00
▪️Observation wheel
Set within the heart of our dazzling light trail, the 115ft Observation Wheel offers breathtaking views of Illuminated from above. Perfect for all ages to soak in the wonder of Christmas high above the crowd where magic illuminates every step. Simply add as an 'extra' at checkout!

🐶 DOG INFORMATION
▪️Wednesday & Thursday
Due to last year’s popularity of dog-friendly sessions, dogs will be once again welcome to join their humans on the trail every Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Pups and humans alike will have the opportunity to visit the extended festive Food Village, which promises to deliver a bigger and cosier experience than last year, with even more seasonal favourites, warming drinks, and sweet treats from local traders.

🅿️ FREE PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY
Free parking right near the trail’s entrance
Wheelchair and buggy accessible*

🗺 WHERE IS ASHRIDGE HOUSE?
Ashridge House is conveniently located in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, off J20 on the M25, just a 30 min drive from Luton and 45 min drive from Heathrow. The nearest train station is Berkhamsted, which visitors can reach in only 35 mins from London Euston train station.

🎟 TICKET COST & BOOKING:
▪️From £14.40 for children
▪️From £23.50 for adults
▪️Please send your enquiries for groups larger than 15 to groups@seetickets.com.

Booking and managing tickets to Ashridge House Illuminations couldn’t be easier, thanks to a booking system that allows visitors to easily change the day of their visit in case of wet weather at absolutely no extra cost. You can book via the event link.

🧒 Dunstable Library has two free activities for under 5's on Monday's. Term time only.

🎨 MESSY MONDAY: 10am - 10.45am
Term time only. Messy Play Activities, including painting, play-dough and much more.

🔴 MAKERSPACE: 11am - 3pm
MakerSpace activity including play-dough and Magnetic boards.

🤔 WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
The Library is situated next to a play park, leisure centre and GObowling.

🧒 The Transfiguration Church in Kempston offers a space for children aged 0-5 years to play and socialise.

🤩 WHAT TO EXPECT
Coffee and  juice with usual toddler and baby play and craft table for older Tots. Singsong at the. No charge, donation if you wish.

WHEN?
Monday's, terms time only, between 9.15am - 11am.

ℹ️ KEEP UPDATED
Follow the Facebook page incase of any cancellations or changes.

ℹ️ CONTACT NUMBER
☎️ Phone: 01234 854726

🎅 It’s the most wonderful time of the year and The Santa Express is heading to The North Pole Train Station at the Olde Watermill Winter Wonderland with Santa, Mrs Claus, Elves and Rudolph on board, ready to see you all for a 50 minute visit full of magical Christmas fun.
Don’t miss out, book your tickets NOW!

🗓 2025 DATES
▪️Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd November
▪️Saturday 29th Nov - Monday 1st December
▪️Thursday 4th Dec - Monday 8th December
▪️Thursday 11th Dec - Monday 15th December
▪️Thursday 18th Dec - Wednesday 24th December

🧑‍🎄 WHAT TO EXPECT

✨️ Gingerbread Decorating: Step into the North Pole Bakery where Nutmeg the Baker and Jelly Tots the Elf will help all the children decorate a delicious christmassy gingerbread biscuit, there will also be an extra little surprise too. Next we’re off to meet more of Santa’s Elves.

✨️ Prepare Reindeer Food: In the Magic Stables, Drifter is preparing Rudolph and his friends’ favourite food.  Here the children can fill their own bag of special magic food to take home.

✨️ Make a wish: Now for that very special moment when you make a wish on Santa’s Wishing Stars – ssshhh don’t tell anyone!!

✨️ Meet Santa & Mrs Claus: If that’s not enough fun, Mrs Claus will invite you into their cozy sitting room to meet Santa himself for a festive story, a present for each child and individual time with him and the opportunity to take that personal photograph of all the family.

✨️ Take a ride: Outside Rudolph is waiting to say ‘Merry Christmas’ and see you all, and each child can enjoy a go on Santa’s fairground train ride after which all the family can enjoy some time in our glittering, illuminated Wonderland and climb aboard The Santa Express for more fun and photos.

💌 NEW FOR 2025!
NEW this year, we have Santa’s Magic Postbox outside in the Winter Wonderland, so don’t forget to remind the children to bring their letters and post them to make sure they reach the North Pole by Christmas Eve.

♿️ IS THE GROTTO WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY?
Yes, the grotto is wheelchair friendly and our elves are always happy to help. Unfortunately we don’t offer any concessions. Please be aware the parking is on gravel and the slope up to the shopping village can be quite steep.

🎟 TICKET COST:
At least one full-priced child’s ticket is required per booking. Bookings with only adults and a baby are not permitted.

▪️Adult: £7.99
▪️Child: £17.99
▪️Under 1: £7.99

ℹ️ CONTACT DETAILS
📧 Email: info@santasgrottouk.co.uk

✨️ Christmas at centre:mk 2025
Step into Starlight Square and discover the magic of Christmas in Middleton Hall.

🗓 2025 DATES
15th November 2025 - 4th January 2026
Please note Starlight Square will be closed 25th & 26th December and 1st January 2026.
Time will vary day to day, click on the event link to take you to the website.

🚂 WHAT TO EXPECT
From our Very Merry Christmas Market featuring unique and local businesses, to enchanting rides for all the family to enjoy together. Don't miss the Victorian Double Decker Carousel and Helter Skelter, Test Drive Santa's Sleigh with our VR experience, jump aboard our Train ride and admire the twinkling lights. 

Don't forget to stop off at Santa's Postbox and send your wish lists to the big man himself!

🎁 CHRISTMAS MARKET
Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift, picking out a festive outfit, or enjoying a festive day out with the family making special memories, there’s something for everyone to make the season feel truly special.

Very Merry Christmas Market will vary in opening times, click the event link to find out more.

🎟 RIDE PRICES:
▪️Train: £2.50 per person
▪️VR Sleigh Ride: £6 per person
(Book via the event link)
▪️Carousel: £3 per person, per ride
▪️Helter Skelter: £2 for 1 slide, per person, or £3 for 2 slides, per person

🎅 SANTA'S GROTTO WITH PETER RABBIT AND FRIENDS BOOKING & INFO
(21st Nov - 24th December 2025)
https://www.centremk.com/whats-on/events/santas-grotto-with-peter-rabbit-friends/

♿️ ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION FOR MILTON KEYNES SHOPPING CENTRE ONLY
https://www.centremk.com/visit/amenities/ 

💥 We all love free stuff, right? We’re giving away FREE FOOD at The Greyhound in Haynes, Bedfordshire between 6pm - 8pm on Monday's. Yes, you read that correctly – FREE!

WHAT'S THE CATCH?
🍹Each adult just needs to buy a proper drink. For example a large soft drink, lager, bitter, wine, or cocktail.
🚫 Sorry… water and cordial don’t count - nice try, we see you!

🍛 WHAT YOU GET
▪️Choose a curry + rice on the house.

❗️RULES
▪️This offer is dine-in only – not available for takeaway.
▪️No boxing up leftovers for later – what happens at The Greyhound stays at The Greyhound!
▪️And when it’s gone, it’s gone – so get in early!

ℹ️ BOOKING REQUIRED
It gets very busy so booking is required.
You can book online via the event link or phone:
☎️ Phone: 01234 381239

👀 KEEP UPDATED
Keep updated by visiting the Facebook page.