As twilight falls on selected dates from Friday 21 November to 30 December, RHS Rosemoor near Great Torrington will transform into a world of magical winter wonders where you can admire the garden’s dramatic architecture in a whole new light – skilfully illuminated with a kaleidoscope of colours and thousands of glittering lights. Prepare to be dazzled - twinkling installations dance across curated landscapes and every path leads to a new discovery - expect breathtaking light art, and enchanting trails that celebrate the beauty of nature in winter.
This year the sparkling route incorporates a total of seven brand new, atmospheric light and sound installations as well as picture-perfect moments and opportunities to become the stars of the show with family and friends. Regular visitors will know that each year the trail takes a subtly different journey through the gardens – in 2025 it returns to the hugely popular arboretum and will also incorporate the newly refreshed Winter Garden, designed by award winning Jo Thompson, for the first time.
Alex Keighley, Senior Project Manager at production company SLX says “We design the trail as if we’re composing photographs - considering foreground, middle ground and background at every point. Wide open spaces rarely read well on camera, so we’ve developed bespoke lighting treatments specifically to bring depth and interest to those areas. Layering light thoughtfully is what makes a trail feel truly immersive. It’s a blend of disciplines - we develop visual concepts and CAD plans and treat each installation like a scene within a wider gallery, that’s where technical meets artistic intent.”
This attention to detail and care is highly collaborative, with the Garden teams involved in the whole creative process, from route planning to cable management, and, this year, even providing a soundtrack! The new installation in the Stream Field featuring a mass of golden ‘reeds’ uses audio captured from a flowering crab apple tree recorded in the garden earlier this year. Composer Alex H Duncan gives plants a voice by transforming their vibrations into music, revealing the hidden beauty of nature and offering a fresh perspective on the underground mycorrhizal networks and the life flowing through branches.
In stark contrast, a tribal drumbeat is used to bring the striking Epix light show on the margins of the lake to life, where colours and mist reflected on the surface of the water will double their impact.
What’s more, as you explore the trail, beautifully illuminated artworks created by talented UK sculptors will also reveal themselves. The Winter Sculpture Exhibition features over 100 sculptures made from ceramics, stone, slate, steel, bronze, wood, wire, resin, glass and recycled tools and runs from 15 November until 31 January.
You can get even more of an art fix if you book tickets for Glow on 21, 22, 28 and 29 November or 6 December, when the Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fair can be found in the Garden Room from 4.30pm–7pm. Browse and buy beautiful crafts and handmade delicacies for your loved ones (and treat yourself while you are at it!) You will also find everything from beautiful baubles and a huge selection of Christmas trees and plants to unique gifts and stocking fillers every evening in the Garden Centre.
Savour delicious grab-and-go winter warmers from take away outlets along the route or plan ahead and book a two-course Glow ‘Simple Supper’ or decadent Afternoon Tea to enjoy in the cosy Restaurant before exploring the trail (pre-booked parties receive a £5 voucher to spend in the Restaurant between 6 – 31 January 2026).
RHS Glow runs from 4.30pm – 8.30pm on selected dates from Friday 21 November to Tuesday 30 December with last entry at 7.15pm - book now to secure the date and time of your choice and make it your brightest Christmas tradition yet! Book tickets for the opening weekend and wear your brightest and most colourful outfits and you could win a VIP package including a year’s RHS membership, a festive hamper and Restaurant vouchers.
Please note that although RHS Garden Rosemoor has extended the trial of dog friendly days on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 25 March 2026, this applies to daytime visits only. Dogs are not permitted at RHS Glow, except for registered assistance dogs.