Record-breaking lanterns illuminate Longleat this winter

Stretching 60 metres long, soaring 18 metres high and featuring the largest cast of characters ever, Longleat’s 2025 event, The Festival of Light, is a triumph of scale, craft and imagination. 

Bringing together artistry and engineering, this year’s event showcases some of the most technically impressive lanterns ever built for Longleat: 

• The longest lantern: Glenfinnan Viaduct, stretching an extraordinary 60 metres. 

• The biggest and heaviest lantern: the Giant’s Causeway scene — 10 metres high and 25 metres wide, weighing an incredible 8 tonnes. 

• The tallest lantern: The Shard (featuring the rogue Wrong Trousers scaling its façade), soaring to 18 metres. 

• The Festival of Light 2025 features the highest number of characters ever created for a Longleat event — up to 250 of the total 1,500+ lanterns. 

From sweeping landscapes to popular Aardman favourites, every scene has been designed and produced by specialist lantern artisans, working closely with Longleat’s creative team to capture detail, personality and joy. 

Daisy Mercedes, Design and Project Lead for Longleat, says, “Each year we work for months to shape The Festival of Light, so it feels new, ambitious, and full of heart — and this year really stands out. The lanterns themselves are more elaborate than ever, but it’s our storytelling that shines brightest. Collaborating so closely with Aardman to reimagine Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and so many others has been extraordinary. Seeing these characters step into the world we’ve created is a reminder of what’s possible when creativity and craft come together.” 

The result is a rich and immersive winter experience that blends nostalgia with spectacle, inviting guests to step into a glowing celebration of British creativity and playfulness. 

“The Festival of Light always transforms Longleat and this year the theme fits the estate perfectly. The scale of the landmarks and the detail in the characters make the whole place feel even more alive than usual”, says Scott Ashman, Longleat’s Head of Operations, “It’s a privilege to help bring that experience to life.” 

Running on selected days through to 11 January 2026, The Festival of Light forms part of Longleat’s longstanding dedication to creating magical, memorable experiences that blend culture, creativity and connection. 

With demand already high and many dates nearing full capacity, visitors are advised to book online early to avoid disappointment.