THE Sir Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey will be opening its light-up art trail later this month.

The festive experience will be at the botanical gardens on selected dates from November 30 to December 31 and will allow visitors to step inside the 180-acre arboretum after dark to enjoy the sights.

Selected light installations this year include the world premiere of Song of the Pine, a three-minute loop projected onto conifer trees in Hillier’s Pinetum, created by the Projection Studio.

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The co-directors of Light Up Trails, Libby Battaglia and Lucinda Croft, said: “Our artists are greatly inspired by the natural beauty of this wonderful location and work very hard to incorporate that in their installations.

Hampshire Chronicle: Bright lights washing over the trees by the pondBright lights washing over the trees by the pond (Image: Elliott Franks)“Of course, all the pieces look amazing in photos and visitors love taking selfies and filming themselves interacting with the pieces, but Light Up Sir Harold Hiller Gardens is much more than pretty lights - the stories behind the installations are what makes Light Up Trails totally unique experiences.”

Other installations include Beyond by James Smith, which uses reflected and refracted light to create a kaleidoscopic experience, the canopy of lights in Stardrop and Written in the Stars, where visitors can write and send their own messages into the night sky.

Alongside these professional installations, artwork created by 10 local pupils has been selected to be projected onto the side of the gardens’ Jermyn's House.

The winning entry, by 11-year-old Charlie Hudson, has seen his school – Noadswood in Dibden Purlieu – win a £1,000 prize for its art department, funded by Light Up Trails and Bath Spa University.

Charlie’s mum, Sam, said: “It's amazing, Charlie is absolutely buzzing about this, really excited.

Hampshire Chronicle: Charlie's winning light show competition entryCharlie's winning light show competition entry (Image: Light Up Trails)SEE ALSO: All the Christmas and Winter illuminations to see in Hampshire in 2023

“Charlie only started at Noadswood in September and the funny thing is when he left his old school his favourite teacher wrote in his book that one day he'd be a famous artist - we never thought it would be this quick!”

Charlie, whose design Enchanted Forest features lots of trees, snow and fireflies, said: “I'm really happy to win first prize and get some money for the school. I really like art, it's my favourite subject.”

Libby Battaglia and Lucinda Croft added: “We know how difficult it is to get funding for the arts generally so to be able to help a school Art department is really special.

“Light Up Trails is keen to support emerging artists from Hampshire from a young age and we were really impressed with the range of Art subjects that Noadswood offers its students.”