Guest blog - RHS Glow at Rosemoor gardens

Enjoy the brightest night of the year as RHS Glow and Rosemoor gardens are illuminated like never before, from 15 November to 28 December.

Showcasing more glorious gardens than ever, this year's spectacular light and sound show will also be something of a record breaker as it will take the longest route through the gardens yet. In fact, the trail is the longest of all the Glow events taking place at the five famous RHS gardens, at a length of 1,830m!

Packed with new atmospheric installations and powered from more than 40 locations across the site, the LED light show will take 6 people over 10 days to install, each walking an average of 8 miles per day.

The journey

The Glow journey starts with a flickering snowflake trail that leads into the Stream Field where colour changing spheres mesmerise. Here you can stop to pick up a delicious hot pasty or warming mulled wine to savour as you follow the route along the stream in the tranquil rock gully.

For the first time ever, venture through a rainbow tunnel to discover a sparkling waterfall before admiring the fascinating silhouettes of the curious Stumpery.  

Emerge into a ‘field of flames’ where ancient ‘champion’ trees and other rare and unusual specimens planted way back in 1959 frame your view. Here, in Lady Anne’s Arboretum, some of the oldest, most beautiful trees of the garden will be bathed in harlequin lights for you to admire them all the better (unless, of course, they are homes to wildlife in which case they are left as they are).

As you walk the extended route, you enter the Bicentenary Arboretum, a living reference of the northern hemisphere's finest trees, illuminated by a dazzling carpet of colour. Keep an eye out for the chance to be the ‘stars of the show’ with family and friends then celebrate with a dance in the shimmering light of an enormous mirror ball tree. Imagine, seven giant disco balls each with approximately 84,000 individual mirrors on them!

Before you complete your circuit, rest your feet and stop to listen to excerpts from Jack Frost – A Winter Story, a captivating story written and narrated by Alan Titchmarsh with spellbinding music composed by Debbie Wiseman.

Then head down to the lakeside to enjoy a dazzling show of moving light and texture, duplicated in the reflections on the water. Wander back through twinkling pea light arbours and fairy bell trees to complete your exploration of this winter wonderland.

Expect the unexpected along the way as there is family entertainment scheduled every night, ranging from captivating street theatre to calming hand pan drum performances.

You will also discover some of the 200 incredible sculptures created by UK artists that will call Rosemoor home for the next two months, part of the annual Winter Sculptures exhibition in situ until 31 January.

Make a night of it and book a delicious two course ‘Glow Simple Supper’ to enjoy in comfort in the Garden Restaurant before heading out into the glittering garden. For just £20 you have three seasonal savoury pies with sides and two scrumptious desserts to choose from, you even get a £5 voucher to spend in the Restaurant between 6 January and 31 January!

For families seeking a calmer experience then a designated SEN (special educational needs) evening will take place on Thursday 5 December. If you are concerned the trail may be too long for some of your party, electric buggies are available for hire and wheelchairs are available on loan - shorter routes are also possible.

Just be sure to book soon to secure your preferred date and time so you can start your festive season in style.