More than a decade ago, Kew Gardens blazed the trail for festive illuminations, using the Royal Botanic gardens as a stunning backdrop for their annual lightshow.

It's now a much anticipated fixture of London's Christmas calendar, where families can get into the spirit of the season - sipping mulled wine and toasting marshmallows along an outdoor trail.

Wandering along the 3k of illuminations this year, you realise Christmas at Kew is not only the OG, but also the biggest and the best of its kind.

Every year favourite installations like the Cathedral of light are mixed with innovative bespoke light shows.Every year favourite installations like the Cathedral of light are mixed with innovative bespoke light shows. (Image: Jeff Eden)

Nobody else does seasonal sparkle on this scale and with this breadth of imagination - thanks to the design and creative studios who contribute bespoke installations to the trail.

You also realise that blending uplifting or up tempo tracks with light effects and landscape creates emotion. We were moved by an undulating field - or a town? - of flickering coloured lights accompanied by a choral Auld Lang Syne.

Elsewhere we stood on a bridge transfixed by willow the wisp lights briefly flashing over water, (Fish are Jumping by Dutch artists TOER) before toasting marshmallows over hot coals, then dancing to ABBA through a blinding cathedral of light.

A field of swirling lights in front of the Temperate House at Kew Gardens.A field of swirling lights in front of the Temperate House at Kew Gardens. (Image: Oliver Dixon)

Along the trail there are Christmas trees made out of fire, selfie-friendly combinations of mirrors, music and dangling multicoloured ropes, a forest of lasers lit with dry ice, and a swirling lightshow where you can kick up the flakes projected on the floor.

Two of Kew's biggest landmarks, the Temperate House and the Palm House are the backdrop to the biggest displays.

A swirl of colour-changing lights wrapping the trees and embedded into the grass and projections of lollipops greets you at the Temperate House while the spectacular finale involves music, fountains, and this year, a giant projected snowglobe portraying London landmarks.

The spectacular finale at The Palm House with fountains, music and projections.The spectacular finale at The Palm House with fountains, music and projections. (Image: Oliver Dixon)

There are plenty of pit stops for refreshments with food stalls, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Younger visitors will love Santa's hut where you can have a chat with Father Christmas, just next to a traditional funfair with carousel, helter skelter and swing boats.

Set aside around two hours to get around all 20 installations, and take sturdy boots as you will get in quite a few steps.

The pay off is a thrilling and unashamedly glittery evening out - best enjoyed with family and friends.

Christmas at Kew runs at The Royal Botanic Gardens on selected dates until January 5th. The gardens are a charity and proceeds from tickets support their work in nature conservation and biodiversity, protecting plants and fungi for future generations.