We review the magical Christmas lights trail at National Trust’s Belton House near Grantham

Anyone not really feeling the Christmas spirit yet only need to venture half an hour down the A1 to Belton House.

Here you’ll find Christmas spirit and then some with Belton Lights, the estate, near Grantham’s annual festive extravaganza.

Having only been to National Trust Belton House’s famous lights fir the first time last year with my children, and falling madly in love with the incredible spectacle, to say I was excited to go again this year is an understatement.

We entered the park as it was just starting to get dark, and my children were delighted to see ‘Santa’s reindeer’ clustered on the grass at the front of the house as we made our way to the courtyard for the beginning of the trail.

As we entered the trail, the Orangery and gardens in front of us were lit up with beautiful lights, and we knew we were in for a treat.

We made our way through the gardens and there we were treated to an amazing projection on the back of the House, played to a number of Christmas songs and with themes relating to several well-known Christmas films.

My favourite, the light tunnel, came sooner in the trail than last year and I couldn’t help but stare open-mouthed at the sheer size and beauty of it.

There was a definite star theme to this year’s trail, with beautiful star projections and installations of all shapes and sizes along the way.

As we reached halfway, the children were excited to toast marshmallows over the fire pits and meet Santa, who was greeting guests in his grotto.

The real treat came right at the end, where the piece de resistance saw hundreds of lightbulbs dangling down for guests to walk through (safely — we were told clearly not to pull them, swing on them, etc).

As we reached the end of the trail, the children were excited to have a go on the fairground rides, and of course warm up with some hot food and drink from the various food vans in the courtyard.

For a pre-Christmas treat, Belton Lights has got to be on everyone’s to-do list. No matter your age, the Lights are simply magical and well worth the price.

The Christmas trail will be open to the public until Wednesday January 1. Tickets are available at https://premier.ticketek.co.uk/shows/show.aspx?sh=LANDCBT