Christmas Kingdom at Hazlewood Castle

Step inside the Christmas storybook

Name: Christmas Kingdom at Hazlewood Castle
Start: 2026-11-27
End: 2026-12-31
Location: Hazlewood Castle

Follow the Secret Forest Light Trail on a quest to find the Keeper of Christmas, then stay for the family funfair, the forest feast and Santa’s Woodland Grotto.

A light trail adventure at Hazlewood Castle, with a funfair, forest feast and Santa’s Grotto.

27 Nov to 31 Dec
Timed entry from 2pm
Tickets from £15
Between Leeds and York

Book Light Trail tickets

Legend tells that every December, the Keeper of Christmas returns to Hazlewood Castle…

Chapter one

The Keeper of Christmas

…to protect the spirit of Christmas.

The Keeper of Christmas is a kind-hearted dragon who watches over the Kingdom, protecting the spirit and magic of Christmas.

But even the Keeper can’t do it alone.

He needs Little Keepers and Big Keepers to join him on his most important mission — keeping the magic of Christmas alive.

Together, through laughter, adventure, kindness and magical memories made with the people we love, we can protect the spirit of Christmas for generations to come.

Find him on the Light Trail

Chapter two

The Secret Forest

Journey through the Secret Forest to find the Keeper of Christmas.

Journey through a one-hour light trail through named realms in the ancient woodland around Hazlewood Castle. Thousands of lights lead you closer to the Keeper.

Around 1 hour
Timed entry
Tickets from £15

Inside the Secret Forest

Worlds of light along the trail

A few of the realms waiting between the trees. Every one lights up as you walk through it.

Inside the Secret Forest

Worlds of light along the trail

A few of the realms waiting between the trees. Every one lights up as you walk through it.

Gate and Clearing

Knock three times and step through the wooden gates into the Secret Forest.

The Portal

A spinning ring of blue light marks the way into the woods.

III

The Witch’s House

A neon cottage glows beneath its golden star.

Interactive Play

Glowing drums beneath towering sprays of orange light.

Passage of Discovery

A glowing moon and crystal stars light the woodland path.

Playground Castle

A shining white castle beneath curtains of light.

VII

Realm of the Dragons

Crimson cages, lava light and a fire-orange forest as the Keeper’s world opens.

VIII

Gingerbread House

A life-size neon cottage of sweets, waiting in the woods.

Realm of Magic

Beams of gold and green light sweep between the trees.

Butterfly Field

Giant glowing butterflies shift colour along the path.

Reflections

Green laser portals and mirrors that turn the forest into another world.

XII

Land of the Sprites

Fibre-optic blooms and magenta vines wrap the trees on both sides of the trail.

XIII

Will-o’-the-Wisps

Tiny lights dance across the meadow. Is that the Keeper, peeking out?

Chapter three

The Forest Feast

Gather together for a magical forest feast.

Food and drink are at the heart of life in the Kingdom — after all, every great adventure needs a little fuel along the way.

Deep beneath the woodland canopy, discover a one-of-a-kind festive feast in the forest, where the chefs of Hazlewood Castle serve up much-loved festival favourites, freshly prepared for hungry Little Keepers and Big Keepers alike.

Gather around glowing fire pits, toast marshmallows beneath the trees and warm your hands around a delicious festive drink as the forest comes alive around you.

No time slot
Food and drink to buy

Chapter four

Traditional Family Funfair

Create unforgettable memories at the family funfair.

There’s something timeless about the sights and sounds of a traditional funfair at Christmas 🎡 Ride our beautiful carousel, soar above the Kingdom on the Ferris wheel, race to the top of the classic helter-skelter and discover even more family favourites along the way.

Set against our magical woodland backdrop, the Family Funfair brings old-fashioned festive charm to the heart of Christmas Kingdom — the perfect place for Little Keepers and Big Keepers to have fun and make magical Christmas memories together.

Entry included
Rides and games priced individually
No time slot

Chapter five

Santa’s Woodland Grotto

And visit Santa in his enchanting woodland grotto.

Hidden deep within the Secret Forest, Santa and his merry elves welcome families into a magical woodland teepee. Children share their Christmas wishes with Father Christmas, then receive a quality gift to remember their visit.

The Storybook Library

Watch the stories before you visit

Short pop-up films from the Kingdom, made for watching together.

But the Guardians cannot protect the magic alone.

They need you.

Little Keepers, search the Secret Forest.

Big Keepers, help them believe.

Are you ready?

Book Light Trail tickets How booking works

Tickets

One ticket opens the Kingdom

Book a timed entry to the Secret Forest Light Trail. Everything else is yours to enjoy before or after your walk.

Admission

Christmas Kingdom

Hazlewood Castle · 27 Nov to 31 Dec

From£15

Secret Forest Light Trail Timed entry, about 1 hour
Family Funfair Rides and games priced individually
Forest Feast Food and drink to buy
Free parking On site at Hazlewood Castle

Add-on

Santa’s Woodland Grotto

£15 per child, booked separately

How booking works

Choose your Light Trail time
It is the time you arrive at the Secret Forest. The trail takes about 1 hour.
Add Santa’s Grotto, if you like
Book it separately, before or after your trail hour, not during. Up to 4 children per slot, and adults go in free.
Enjoy the rest at your own pace
The Funfair and Forest Feast have no time slots. Visit them before or after your trail.

Light Trail at 3:00pm? It runs until about 4:00pm, so book Santa before 3:00pm or from 4:00pm.

Book Light Trail tickets Book Santa’s Grotto

Dates and times

Open on selected dates, 27 November to 31 December

Light Trail entry every 30 minutes from 2pm to 8pm, and from 4pm on 14 to 17 December.

Most weekend dates have sold out

The best availability is on 14 to 17 December (from 4pm) and 27 to 31 December.

Check times and book

November 2026

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December 2026

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Plan your visit

Everything you need to know before you go

Allow around 3 hours

Around 1 hour for the Light Trail, plus time to enjoy the Funfair and Forest Feast at your own pace.
Arrive at your time

Your Light Trail time is when you need to arrive at the Secret Forest.
Free parking

Complimentary parking on site for every visitor.
Wrap up warm

Christmas Kingdom is outdoors on natural woodland paths. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear.
Prams welcome

The trail is suitable for prams, although some woodland paths have naturally uneven ground.
Book ahead

Advance booking is essential. Over 90% of tickets are already sold and timed spaces are limited.

Between Leeds and York

Find the castle

Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9NJ

Set within 77 acres of ancient woodland, with free parking on site.

Get directions

FAQs

Questions, answered

Anything else? Email hello@christmaskingdom.info and the team will help.

What does a ticket include?

Tickets are from £15 and include a timed entry to the Secret Forest Light Trail, plus the Family Funfair and the Forest Feast. Rides and games are priced individually, and food and drink are available to buy. Santa’s Woodland Grotto is booked separately.

What time should we arrive?

The time on your Light Trail ticket is when you need to arrive at the Secret Forest. Allow about 1 hour for the trail.

How long should we plan to stay?

Around 3 hours: about 1 hour on the Light Trail, plus time for the Funfair and Forest Feast at your own pace.

How do we book Santa’s Grotto?

Separately from your Light Trail ticket. It is £15 per child, with up to 4 children per slot, and adults go in free. Choose a time before or after your Light Trail hour, not during. If you have 5 or more children, book two slots at different times.

Which dates are left?

Most weekend dates have sold out. The best availability is on 14 to 17 December (from 4pm) and 27 to 31 December.

Can I change or cancel my booking?

Tickets for Christmas Kingdom are non-refundable and non-changeable, including your selected date and time slot. Please check all booking details carefully before completing your purchase and make sure you have selected the correct date, time and number of tickets.

Once a booking has been confirmed, we are unable to offer refunds or move tickets to a different date or time.

Is there parking?

Yes. Parking on site is free for every visitor.

Can we bring a pram?

Yes. The trail is suitable for prams, although some woodland paths have naturally uneven ground.

What should we wear?

Christmas Kingdom is outdoors on natural woodland paths, so wrap up warm, dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Christmas Kingdom is an outdoor woodland experience and will operate in most weather conditions, so please come dressed appropriately for the forecast. Tickets remain non-refundable in the event of bad weather.

If extreme weather or other unsafe conditions mean that Christmas Kingdom is unable to open and the event is cancelled by the organiser, your booking will be transferred to an alternative available date and time. Refunds will not be issued in these circumstances.

Where is it?

Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, LS24 9NJ. Between Leeds and York, with free parking on site.

How do we get in touch?

Email hello@christmaskingdom.info and the team will help.

Enter the Kingdom! Find the Keeper. Keep the magic alive!

The story is waiting for you

Tickets from £15. Selected dates from 27 November to 31 December at Hazlewood Castle.

Book Light Trail tickets

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