We’ve just discovered something rather magical coming to Kent this Christmas.
Port Lympne is turning its Pinewood glamping village into an enchanted Christmas village, and you can stay there. Enjoy hologram elves, toasted marshmallows, Christmas films, twinkling pine trees… and lions for neighbours. Port Lympne has just given us a very good reason to book a Kent Christmas sleepover.
It’s called Elfwood, and it’s brand new for 2026 and will see the woodland glamping spot transformed with twinkling festoon lights, Christmas trees and mischievous hologram elves hiding among the towering pines.
There’ll be marshmallow toasting around the firepit, festive films in the Christmas Clubhouse, an elf hunt and plenty of seasonal surprises.
And, because Port Lympne doesn’t do average, it’s opposite the lion enclosure.
Yes. Lions.
The new experience is part of this year’s Port Lympne Illuminated, which returns from 27 November 2026.
The Christmas light trail is getting an upgrade too, with new illuminated animal installations, an entirely new zone, a reimagined Elf Disco and a new grand finale.
But it’s the chance to stay that really caught our attention.
Guests will sleep in cosy timber glamping pods before waking up inside the wildlife reserve the following morning. We suspect that might earn you considerably more parenting points than another December trip to see Santa at the local garden centre.
An Elfwood stay starts from £369 for up to four people, including accommodation, entry to Port Lympne Illuminated, exclusive access to Port Lympne Reserve including a truck safari, and tickets to Howletts Wild Animal Park.
There are other ways to make a night of it too, including Nightlights stays beside lions, giraffes or rhino, as well as a Luxury Christmas Package.
If you don’t fancy sleeping over, you can simply visit Port Lympne Illuminated for the evening. Tickets start at £10 for children, £19 for adults and £58 for a family ticket.
But wandering through an illuminated wildlife trail, toasting marshmallows under the pine trees and then heading back to your little woodland hideaway with lions across the way?
Now that sounds like a Kent Christmas adventure worth knowing about.
Port Lympne Illuminated begins on 27 November 2026, with tickets on sale now at bit.ly/4AoyyBq
