RHS Garden Wisley brings the festive season alive with its magical Glow Experience. Enjoy illuminated trails through the trees as dusk falls and sparkling hi-tech lights transform this stately garden into a winter wonderland. Not to be outdone, the Royal Botanic Garden Kew has its own Christmas event, with glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour.

Our other visits include Polesden Lacey, a house rich in social history with showpiece interiors, and Windsor Castle, the historic Norman fortress closely linked with the British Royal family and final resting place of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.