About

Our Journey Through Light

Light Up Trails was founded by lifelong friends Libby Battaglia and Lucinda Croft, whose backgrounds in dance, theatre, and large-scale creative production laid the foundations for something truly extraordinary. Inspired by Libby’s award-winning Light Up Poole festival, the duo reimagined what a festive experience could be; immersive, magical, and unforgettable.

The team was soon joined by Kevin Byrne OBE, a visionary entrepreneur who built Checkatrade into a household name, and Gavin Dutton, a strategic commercial leader with a track record of scaling national businesses.

With creativity at its heart and leadership built on experience, passion and innovation, Light Up Trails has become a bold and brilliant force in the world of festive events…and we're only just getting started.

Our History

2020

A Vision is Born

Light Up Wiston launched during the pandemic, with a creative team including James Smith, Jon Oliver, Tom Dekyvere, and The Projection Studio — many of whom had worked with Libby before.
2021

Making Headlines

We launched Christmas at Cowdray, a trail that captured both hearts and headlines.A spectacular projection illuminated the Cowdray Ruins — a UK first.     Commended – Beautiful South Tourism Awards. Featured by BBC South Today, The Times, and The Guardian as a must-see event.
2022

A Year of Growth

We returned to Cowdray with a refreshed route, showcasing the magical woods and a Magical Santa’s Grotto.
Silver – Best Event of the Year, Beautiful South Tourism Awards. We also launched at the iconic Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey. Snowfall and frozen ponds created a natural winter wonderland.Featured on BBC Weather. Highlights included a stunning pond light show by Jon Oliver and Santa's Elves Workshop by The Projection Studio.
2023

Magic in Every Moment

Light Up Hillier Gardens continued to evolve, wowing guests with new creative highs. Written in the Stars, an installation by James Smith, lit up the pond with breathtaking beauty. A high-energy laser finale became a crowd favourite. 📺 Featured on ITV Meridian and praised by press and returning guests.
2024

Triumph in the Storm

Just days before opening, a storm and theft of £80,000 worth of cabling threatened the event.Our team worked through the night to deliver an unforgettable experience — on time and at full power.Gold – Best Event of the Year, Beautiful South Tourism Awards. Silver – Unsung Hero Award for our exceptional technician Zane Meaby. National media coverage highlighted the strength and spirit of our team.
2025

Our Brightest Trail Yet

Now in our fourth year at Hillier Gardens, Light Up Trails 2025 is our most ambitious yet. 8 immersive themed zones, 2 story-led projections by world-class artists, An all-new laser show, Enhanced Entertainment on Super Peak. We’re not just lighting up gardens, we’re creating lasting memories for thousands of families each winter.

Recognised by the Beautiful South Tourism Awards for consistently outstanding festive events

We’re proud to have won Gold for Best Event of the Year at the 2024 Beautiful South Tourism Awards, celebrating the very best in South East England. From Commended, to Silver, to now Gold, Light Up Trails continues to shine.We’re also incredibly proud of our technician Zane Meaby, who was awarded Silver in the Unsung Hero category.

See what others have to say

Well worth a visit, we went with family, my grandson loved it, was so special seeing his little face, just magical!

Shirley

Well worth going, went last year too, nice to see they have changed a lot from last year. So if you went last year thinking you’ve seen it, so won’t bother this year…you'd be in for a lovely surprise!

Emily

What a fun family outing! Would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something festive over the Christmas period. Interactive and a very memorable experience!

Emma

Absolutely fantastic, we drove 4 hours to be greeted with one of the most mesmerising displays, a wonderful walk around the gardens and a credit to the artists!

Christian

The gardens are absolutely beautiful! We have done a lot of these different light up gardens over the years and this one was amazing! Lovely evening.

Mandy

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Nestled in Ampfield, just outside Romsey, Hampshire, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens spans 180 acres of stunning landscapes, showcasing over 42,000 plants from around the globe. Established in 1953 by renowned horticulturist Sir Harold Hillier, the gardens feature 14 National Plant Collections and more than 600 Champion Trees. Visitors can explore diverse areas, including the expansive Winter Garden, Centenary Border, and tranquil pond, offering year-round beauty and inspiration. https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens
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