A spellbinding light trail leads through Norfolk's royal woodlands.

There is magic amid the trees as darkness shrouds the lofty pines on the King's Sandringham Estate.

Luminate Sandringham, which has returned for its third year, runs nightly at the site until December 18.

Eastern Daily Press: A family sets off along the Luminate light trail through the woods at SandringhamA family sets off along the Luminate light trail through the woods at Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)Colourful lights flicker in the trees and dance across the path as you set off down the trail, as ambient music drifts through the air.

There is something different to stop and see at every turn. There are reindeer lit by fairy lights and even fairies to be seen. 

Eastern Daily Press: A woman photographs a giant snowflake at Luminate Sandringham on her mobile phone A woman photographs a giant snowflake at Luminate Sandringham on her mobile phone (Image: Chris Bishop)

You can make a wish and leave it for the fairyfolk to find.

Halfway through there are fire pits to toast marshmallows - you can even bring your own.

Eastern Daily Press: People walk through a tunnel of fairy lights at Luminate SandringhamPeople walk through a tunnel of fairy lights at Luminate Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)

And there are hot drinks and mulled wine to help keep out the cold.

A blizzard of lights leads towards a giant snowflake down a misty path. 

Eastern Daily Press: A colourful fairground ride at Luminate SandringhamA colourful fairground ride at Luminate Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)

A talking tree has a final joke to tell, before you enter the twinkling tunnel of fairy lights that marks the end of the trail.

A fair has pitched up in the courtyard outside the visitor centre, with colourful carousels and a Ferris wheel for a bird's eye view of the lights. 

Eastern Daily Press: A talking tree at Luminate SandringhamA talking tree at Luminate Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)

There is also street food, like fries with toppings, made-to-order pizza and churros, while there is a gift shop to browse.

Eastern Daily Press: Trees are illuminated with thousands of lights in the woods at SandringhamTrees are illuminated with thousands of lights in the woods at Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Entry to the mile-long trail, which takes around 45 minutes to complete, is from 4.45pm until 8pm.

Eastern Daily Press: The Luminate light trail runs through the woods at SandringhamThe Luminate light trail runs through the woods at Sandringham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Tickets are priced at  £16.50 (adult), £11.50 (child) and £52 (family) from Monday to Wednesday. From Thursday to Sunday, prices are £21.00 (adult), £15.00 (child) and £65.00 (family).

Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance at https://luminate.live/sandringham-estate.

Visitors are given a time slot to arrive and warned there are no cancellations in the event of wet weather.

Dogs are also not allowed on the trail, which is uneven in places.