FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For everything you need to know for Christmas at Wrest Park, please see our Frequently Asked Questions below or you can contact Customer Support HERE
GENERAL
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS AT WREST PARK?
Christmas at Wrest Park is a brand new, interactive, festive light trail set within the grounds of Wrest Park. Internationally renowned and award-winning Creative Director Katherine Jewkes along with light pioneers Illumaphonium and illumination experts SLX, have created an exciting immersive experience designed to fit in with the natural surroundings.
Surprises around every corner, along with festive food, warming cocktails and picture perfect moments add to the exciting and unique spectacle that delight and surprise children and adults alike.
WHEN CAN I VISIT CHRISTMAS AT WREST PARK?
Friday 1st December 2023 – Saturday 30th December 2023
Please note that the event will be closed some days throughout December, you can view availability here.
First entry – 4pm - Entry will be granted within your 30 minute timeslot but not before, so please do not arrive before the time shown on your ticket to allow us to manage the flow of visitors into the event.
ARE DOGS ALLOWED ON THE TRAIL?
Only registered disability assistance dogs are allowed on the trail, other dogs are not allowed. Please get in touch with customer services here to let us know if you are planning on bringing an assistance dog.
IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?
There is general parking available in the field opposite the walled garden, this must be prebooked at the time of purchasing tickets - cost £5.50.
English Heritage members are entitled to free parking. You must be able to present your English Heritage membership card on arrival to gain access to the carpark.
Blue Badge holders are entitled to free parking, please book your parking space when purchasing your tickets for the event. This will be checked for upon your arrival.
Please follow signs and the instructions of our Stewards who will guide you when parking and when crossing the road to the entrance of the event.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO WALK THROUGH?
The brand new trail route and design for 2023 are being designed at the moment. We anticipate that the length will be no longer than 2km and take about an hour to complete.
The route is designed to be viewed from the guided path. Some interactive elements may invite the audience off the path. Unless signposted please do not stray from the path.
Christmas at Wrest Park is set within the naturally undulating grounds of Wrest Park. Every effort has been made to make the trail fully accessible, however, customers should be aware that by its nature it will cover some uneven terrain with a number of varying gradients. There are also some areas that can be made more challenging by wet weather.
If you have specific access needs, please contact us here and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Ticketing
HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?
These prices include a booking fee
ADULT - PEAK £29 / STANDARD £23.25 / OFF PEAK £19.75
CHILD (3-16) - PEAK £21.50 / STANDARD £17.25 / OFF PEAK £13
FAMILY (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN / 1 ADULT & 3 CHILDREN) - PEAK £88 / STANDARD £66.28 / OFF PEAK £53.52
GROUPS (15+ adults) - STANDARD £19.75 / OFF PEAK £17
IS THE EVENT SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES?
Yes, all ages are welcome!
IS ENTRY FREE FOR UNDER 3'S?
Yes, children under 3 years of age can access Christmas at Wrest Park free of charge and will not require a ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
DO YOU PROVIDE CARER TICKETS?
A disabled person purchasing a ticket may bring one essential carer companion free of charge. Please select this ticket type at point of booking. If you require more than one carer, please contact us here.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY TICKETS?
All tickets will be issued as E-tickets. We encourage customers to display their tickets on their phone on arrival, rather than printing, to reduce contact with event staff. It's a good idea to download your ticket onto your device before arriving at the event so that it is ready to be scanned, as signal can be patchy at times.
Tickets will be scanned on arrival.
Please be aware that we do not authorise or have any control over the sale of tickets via third-party websites.
I HAVEN'T RECIEVED MY CONFIRMATION EMAIL/E TICKETS
Please check your junk folder as they can sometimes fall there or use the order tracker here.
CAN I BUY TICKETS AT THE EVENT?
You may be able to purchase a ticket at the venue subject to availability, however we strongly advise that you purchase your tickets ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment.
QUEUING
All customers should arrive within the half hour time slot stated on their ticket, to keep queuing to a minimum.
If they arrive before their time slot they may be held in a separate queue until the time listed on their ticket.
An assisted queuing lane will be available for customers with accessible tickets and carers, and those who are unable to wait for a length of time.
WHAT IS THE ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERS DISCOUNT?
If you are an English Heritage member, you can enjoy a 33% saving on tickets. If you are an English Heritage member, you can enjoy a 33% saving on tickets. Visit the English Heritage Member Rewards webpage to receive it.
Please ensure that you have your valid English Heritage Membership card with you on the evening you attend, those unable to provide proof of Membership will be asked to pay for a full price ticket on the night and will not be eligible for a refund.
WHAT BENEFITS DO I RECEIVE FOR SIGNING UP TO THE WAITING LIST?
Those who sign up to the waiting list prior to midnight on Sunday 27th August will be sent a pre-sale link on Tuesday 29th August entitling them 10% off all tickets bought by midnight Sunday 3rd September. Customers who purchase a ticket via the pre-sale link will be entered into a £500 prize draw. See T&Cs for details.
IS THERE AN NHS DISCOUNT?
Yes! There is a 10% discount code which you can apply when purchasing your tickets. Contact us here to receive it. Please ensure that you have your valid NHS card with you on the evening you attend, those unable to provide proof of eligibility will be asked to pay for a full price ticket on the night and will not be eligible for a refund. Please note that this is for those who hold an NHS card only, Blue Light discount is not accepted on this event.
CANCELLATION, EXCHANGES AND REFUND POLICY
Please be sure that you have chosen the right entry date and time slot at the time of making your booking, as we are generally unable to offer exchanges or refunds once tickets have been purchased. We are also not able to offer refunds on unwanted/lost tickets.
Due to the time of year, bad weather can affect any open-air event. If we have to cancel the event as it unsafe to proceed, visitors will be offered an alternative date.
Refunds shall not be offered where the weather is inclement but the event remains open, this includes heavy rain and snow.
If the event is cancelled by us due to weather and patrons are not able to attend an alternative night offered, then a face value refund will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
ACCESSIBILITY
CAN I BRING WHEELCHAIRS/MOBILITY SCOOTERS/BUGGIES?
Yes. Christmas at Wrest Park is set within the naturally undulating grounds Wrest Park. Every effort has been made to make the trail fully accessible, however, customers should be aware that by its nature it will cover some uneven terrain with a number of varying gradients. There are also some areas that can be made more challenging by wet weather.
We do not provide wheelchairs or mobility scooters, however, those who require a wheelchair or a mobility scooter are welcome to bring them, bearing in mind the advice above. We also strongly recommend planning your travel in advance and considering the impact of adverse weather.
If you have specific access needs please contact us here and we will do our best to accommodate you.
WHAT IS A QUIET TIMESLOT?
Our Christmas at Wrest Park quiet timeslots are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 4pm and 4.30pm throughout December (except 10th Dec). These are for those who may prefer a more relaxed experience. These slots will have a lower capacity and any soundscapes or audio will be reduced in volume. The sound effects on our fairground rides will be turned off until approximately 5pm.
Closer to the time of the event we will be producing a document including a site map and detailing what to expect on the trail so that you can familiarise yourselves before the visit. Please send us a message if you would like to receive this.
WILL THERE BE BREAK OUT OR QUIET SPACES ON THE TRAIL?
Unfortunately we’re unable to provide quiet spaces on the trail, but if a visitor needs to exit the trail before the end a member of staff will be able to advise the safest place to do so.
HOW LOUD IS THE TRAIL?
The Christmas at Wrest Park trail soundscapes are quite quiet, with no loud or sudden noises. However, visitors who wear ear defenders may wish to wear them around our fairground rides and food hubs, where there will be music and noises from the rides, except during our quiet slots.
WILL THERE BE SEATING AVAILABLE?
While there is no seating along the trail itself, seating will be available at the Food Court, which is accessible at the beginning and the end of the trail.
IS THERE STROBE LIGHTING AT CHRISTMAS AT WREST PARK?
There is nothing with any stroboscopic effects or at a frequency that should affect anyone with light sensitivity, however, there are a lot of lights and lasers on the trails so would depend on the individual’s sensitivity.
None of it is designed to be disorientating but some of it will be overhead or surrounding the customer and therefore could be disorientating to certain medical conditions but this will depend on the individual’s sensitivity and their own judgement as to whether this event is suitable to attend.
We are happy to make a detailed description of the installations available to you to help you better make a decision whether the event is suitable for your particular needs. Please request this here.
ACCESSIBILITY
Blue Badge Parking is available but must be prebooked at the time of purchasing your tickets.
For further information on the accessibility of Wrest Park, please see the accessibility guide
ON THE NIGHT
CAN I BUY FOOD AND DRINK AT CHRISTMAS AT WREST PARK
There will be takeaway refreshments available along the trail route, such as hot drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and mince pies. Further seasonal food offerings, to include vegetarian and vegan options will be available in the Food Court..
Please note, all food and drink vendors will take card payment only
WILL THERE BE FREE DRINKING WATER?
Drinking water will be available at the bars.
CAN I PAY USING CASH?
All food and drink vendors will take card payment only.
WILL THE FOOD COURT BE OPEN DURING THE DAY?
The Food Court will not be open during the day. The onsite café will be open throughout the day on weekends and the food court will open at 4pm. Non-ticketholders will need to vacate the area at 3pm each day - subject to change.
CAN I PROPOSE AT CHRISTMAS AT WREST PARK?
Christmas at Wrest Park is a lovely setting to propose to your partner. While we can’t accommodate special arrangements, our reduced capacity 4pm and 4.30pm time slots on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays would make the occasion extra special.
I’M VISITING WREST PARK DURING THE DAY, DO I NEED TO LEAVE THE PARK BEFORE ENTERING THE LIGHT TRAIL IN THE EVENING?
Yes. To ensure that only ticket holders for the Christmas at Wrest Park trail have entry to the illuminated trail in the evening, daytime visitors must vacate at the closing time. You are welcome to enjoy the food court while you wait for your timed entry slot.
GENERAL INFO ON THE GARDENS AND ACCESS
Last entry to the gardens each day is 2pm, these will be closed to visitors at 3pm before the trail opens
OPENING TIMES
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
There are no covered areas on the trail so please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. We recommend coats, hats and waterproof shoes or wellies. You can use umbrellas, should it rain.
DO I NEED A TORCH?
The trail is lit, but lighting will be low level in some areas, so you may wish to bring a torch. No naked flames (e.g. candles, night lights, flares or lanterns) are allowed.
CAN I TAKE PHOTOS?
Yes! We encourage visitors to take photos along the trail and share them on social media with #ChristmasatWrestPark. However, please be mindful when taking photographs as this can block the path for other visitors and ask others permission to be in your photos.
ARE THERE TOILETS AVAILABLE?
Yes, toilets are located at the visitor centre, next to the onsite Café. There are no toilets on the route itself.
ARE THERE BABY CHANGING FACILITIES AVAILABLE??
Yes, baby changing facilities are located at the visitor centre, next to the onsite Café.
WILL THERE BE FIREWORKS?
Christmas at Wrest Park does not contain fireworks.
CAN WE BRING IN OUR OWN FOOD?
We do not allow food to be brought into the event, only food purchased on site may be consumed. The only exception for this is baby food.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
For your safety and security, there are some items that are not allowed on site. Please avoid bringing these items as they will be confiscated upon entry. If any attendee is found with any illegal item, they will be refused entry, ejected and referred to the Police. The prohibited items included but are not limited to:
Aerosols
Air horns
Alcohol
Bags (larger than A4 size)
Bicycles, scooters, roller skates
Blow torches
Cans
Chairs
Chinese lanterns
Cooking apparatus
Cool bags / boxes (large)
Drinks
Drones
Fireworks / pyrotechnics
Flares / distress flares / smoke flares
Food (with the exception of baby food)
Gas cylinders/canisters
Glass
Knives
Liquids (over 100ml)
Lighter fluid
Illegal substances (drugs)
Laser pens
Legal / herbal highs
Megaphones
Professional audio-visual recording/photography equipment
Smoke bombs / canisters
Sound systems
Tabards/High Viz Jackets
Weapons
SMOKING POLICY
Wrest Park is a non-smoking site.
SAFETY & SECURITY
WILL I BE SEARCHED?
For the safety and security of everyone at Christmas at Wrest Park, we will carry out full security checks at all entrance gates. If you see anything suspicious or any persons acting suspiciously, please tell the nearest member of staff immediately.
CAN I BRING A BAG?
Your belongings and your person may be searched. Please bring only what is essential to your evening. We ask that you do not bring any large bags (larger than A4).
Please do not leave your belongings unattended at any time.
FIRST AID
If you require first aid on site please make yourself known to one of the event staff who will be able to assist you.
CONTACT
PRESS ENQUIRIES
For all press enquiries, please contact - info@deaconcommunications.com
SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES
For all brand partnership & sponsorship enquiries, please contact sponsorship@kilimanjarolive.co.uk