Stunning winter illuminations return to popular Torrington attraction

A kaleidoscope of colours and thousands of glittering lights will greet visitors to RHS Garden Rosemoor in Torrington over the next few weeks as the attraction’s popular festive Glow illuminations return.

As twilight falls on selected dates from Friday, November 21 to December 30, the garden will transform into a world of magical winter wonders where visitors can admire the its dramatic architecture in a whole new light.

Carefully curated landscapes and lit pathways will lead to new winders and discoveries for those exploring the enchanted trails.

This year the sparkling route incorporates 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.

Above: Are you ready for a magical journey at this year’s Glow hosted by RHS Garden Rosemoor in Torrington? Credit: RHS

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, said: “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.”

Above: Glow at RHS Rosemoor. Credit: Stu Foren

Several garden teams and staff have been involved in the creative process and pulling the whole experience together.

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 more than 100 sculptures made from ceramics, stone, slate, steel, bronze, wood, wire, resin, glass and recycled tools and runs from November 15 until January 31.

Those booking Glow tickets November 21, 22, 28 and 29 or December 6 can also experience the Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fair in the Garden Room from 4.30pm to 7pm.

Above: Why not catch the Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fair too? Credit: Stu Foren

Glow is open from 4.30pm to 8.30pm on its selected dates, with last admission at 7.15pm.

While RHS Rosemoor is running dog-friendly trial days until March, from Monday to Wednesday, this only applies to daytime visits and dogs are not allowed at Glow, except for registered assistance dogs.

For tickets and more information please visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor