Auckland Castle’s first large-scale Christmas event opened to the public this week, dazzling visitors to the County Durham destination and kicking off the festive season in fabulous style.
Open until December 31 (excluding Christmas Day), AGLOW is one of the largest light trails in England.
Visitors can find the tallest Christmas tree in the north of England, standing at an impressive 30 metres tall, which has been decorated by local students from East Durham College, as well as seventeen other awe-inspiring light installations.
Visitors to AGLOW will see Auckland Castle in an entirely new light, with stunning projections on the Castle walls and glowing rainbow-hued spheres of light covering the Bowling Green.
A sparkling 100-metre-long tunnel of 100,000 stars leads into the Deer Park where large-scale illuminations with lasers, neon ropes, mirror balls, LED vines and starburst trees take visitors on a journey of adventure.
Jared Bowers, chief operating officer at The Auckland Project, said: “Thousands of people are already planning to visit Bishop Auckland during AGLOW and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.
“This is what The Auckland Project has been preparing for all winter: providing a wonderful setting for friends and families to gather during the holiday season, to have fun and make memories together.”
The glittering one-and-a-half-mile long trail through the ancient Auckland Castle parkland gives visitors views of the illuminated Deer House, silk flower lanterns, pyrotechnics on the River Gaunless, and Santa’s Village, complete with performances from Santa and his cheeky elves, and a choice of warming festive food and drink stalls.
The castle and grounds are utilised to their full extent, making every twist and turn of the 1.5 hour-long illuminated route a Christmas experience like no other.
During the trail, visitors can take in the sights over a mulled wine or hot chocolate with nearby fire pits providing winter warmth.
Tickets are £21.50 for adults, £14.50 for children or £66.50 for families (consisting of one adult and three children, or two adults and two children.) Children aged 2 and under enter for free.