Museum by Moonlight: Penguin Light Trail

at Gilbert White's House & Gardens
Alton Available from Thu 3 Dec to Tue 22 Dec

Save with Family tickets

Valid for 2 adults & 2 children

Book Museum by Moonlight tickets & follow a magical Christmas light trail in Selborne

Wrap up warm and prepare for an Antarctic adventure at Gilbert White's House & Gardens. Museum by Moonlight combines glowing penguins, a giant moon, Christmas lights, polar exploration and hands-on family activities across the historic house and gardens.

  • Follow illuminated penguins through an eco-conscious Christmas light trail
  • Walk beneath glowing arches and see a giant moon light up the gardens
  • Explore the historic house by torchlight and uncover its hidden secrets
  • Discover the night sky through light displays and constellation crafts
  • Dress as a polar explorer and step inside a real Antarctic tent
  • Explore the Captain Oates Gallery and learn about Scott's journey to the South Pole
  • Travel back to Captain Scott's midwinter feast with a special recreation
  • Enjoy penguin-themed crafts, interactive activities and a winter exhibition

Part light trail, part museum adventure and packed with penguins, this festive family experience brings Antarctica to Selborne. There is plenty to explore indoors and outdoors, so a little winter weather does not have to stop play.

Spend Christmas at Gilbert White's House & Gardens on the Museum by Moonlight: Penguin Light Trail

  • Dates: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 17th - 22nd December 2026
  • Opening Time: 4pm - 8:30pm
  • Entry Times: 4pm, 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm and 6:30pm
  • Last Entry: 6:30pm
  • Location: Gilbert White's House & Gardens, The Wakes, High Street, Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 3JH
  • Tickets Include: Penguin Light Trail, museum access, winter exhibition, polar displays, crafts and family activities

Glowing penguins, Antarctic adventures & Christmas lights - included in your tickets!

Begin your adventure inside the museum, where historic rooms, torchlight discoveries and hands-on activities bring the world of Antarctic exploration to life. Visit the Captain Oates Gallery to learn more about Scott's expedition, dress up as an explorer and step inside a real Antarctic tent.

Then head into the gardens for an eco-conscious light trail inspired by penguins, starry skies and extraordinary stories of polar exploration. Look out for illuminated penguins, glowing arches, beautiful projections and a giant moon shining through the winter darkness.

  • Penguin Light Trail: Follow illuminated penguins through the historic gardens after dark
  • Giant Moon: See an enormous glowing moon create a striking centrepiece for the outdoor trail
  • Glowing Arches: Walk through carefully designed light installations that brighten the gardens without disruptive uplighting
  • Captain Oates Gallery: Discover the story of Captain Oates and Scott's Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole
  • Historic House by Torchlight: Grab a torch and uncover secrets hidden within the museum's historic rooms
  • Antarctic Tent: Dress as an explorer and step inside a real Antarctic tent
  • Midwinter Feast: Travel back to Captain Scott's expedition through a recreation of the crew's Antarctic midwinter celebration
  • Night-Sky Activities: Explore starry light displays and create your own constellation crafts
  • Endangered Emperors: Visit the winter exhibition and discover the remarkable emperor penguins of Antarctica
  • Penguin Activities: Take part in family crafts and see how far you can waddle while balancing a penguin egg on your feet
  • Indoor and Outdoor Adventure: Enjoy activities across the house and gardens, with plenty to discover even if the weather turns

The trail has been thoughtfully designed around the dark-skies policy of the South Downs National Park. Outdoor lighting avoids wildlife-disrupting uplighting, helping protect the creatures living in the gardens while still creating plenty of after-dark sparkle.

Finish your visit at White's Café, where festive favourites and penguin-themed treats will be available to purchase. Book Museum by Moonlight: Penguin Light Trail tickets today and prepare for one giant leap for penguin-kind!

Location

Gilbert White's House and Gardens

The Wakes,
High Street,
Selborne,
Alton,
Hampshire,
GU34 3JH
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How to find us

Gilbert White's House & Gardens is located on the High Street in Selborne, Hampshire.

  • By car: Selborne is on the B3006, which can be reached from the A31 and A3. Use GU34 3BN for the visitor car park behind the Selborne Arms rather than the museum's postal address.
  • Parking: Visitor parking is free during the attraction's opening hours. Give your vehicle registration number to reception every time you visit.
  • Accessible parking: Two designated accessible bays are available in the main car park. One additional accessible space is located opposite the museum near the village green but cannot be booked.
  • By train: The nearest railway stations are Alton and Liss. Both have connections with London Waterloo and bus links towards Selborne.
  • By bus: The number 38 bus between Alton and Petersfield stops in Selborne. Leave at the Selborne Arms and check the latest timetable before travelling.
  • By bicycle: Bicycle racks are available on site.
  • By foot: Selborne is connected to nearby towns and villages by several footpaths, including the Hangers Way between Alton and Petersfield.
  • From the car park: Follow the gravel path from behind the Selborne Arms towards the house and gardens, then follow the attraction signs.
  • From the High Street: The house is opposite the church and Jubilee Tap.
Facilities
  • White's Café open during the event
  • Festive food, hot drinks and penguin-themed treats available to purchase
  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby-changing facilities in the house and café
  • Portable hearing loops at reception and video presentations
  • Wheelchairs available to reserve in advance
  • Specific quiet areas for neurodivergent visitors
  • Two SEND backpacks available from reception
  • Pushchair storage available at reception
  • Designated accessible parking bays
  • Level drop-off point at the High Street entrance
  • Visitor parking during event opening hours
  • Assistance dogs welcome
More Info
What is Museum by Moonlight: Penguin Light Trail?

Museum by Moonlight is an Antarctic-inspired Christmas experience at Gilbert White’s House & Gardens. It combines an outdoor penguin light trail with museum displays, torchlight exploration, polar activities, children’s crafts and the Endangered Emperors winter exhibition.

When is Museum by Moonlight: Penguin Light Trail?

The event takes place on 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 and 17 to 22 December 2026. It opens from 4pm to 8:30pm, with the final entry at 6:30pm.

What is included with Museum by Moonlight tickets?

Tickets include access to the indoor and outdoor Penguin Light Trail, the Captain Oates Gallery, the Endangered Emperors exhibition, historic-house activities, constellation crafts, polar displays and other family activities advertised as part of the event.

Is Museum by Moonlight an indoor or outdoor event?

It is both. The experience runs through the historic house and gardens. Indoor activities include museum displays, torchlight discoveries, crafts and an Antarctic tent, while the outdoor trail features illuminated penguins, glowing arches and a giant moon.

Is there food and drink at Museum by Moonlight?

Yes. White’s Café is scheduled to open from 4pm to 8:15pm, with last orders at 7:45pm. Festive favourites and penguin-themed treats will be available to purchase. 

Is Museum by Moonlight suitable for children?

Yes. The event is promoted as a family adventure and includes children’s crafts, dressing up, constellation activities, penguin challenges and interactive museum displays. Children must remain with a responsible adult. 

Is Museum by Moonlight wheelchair accessible?

The ground floor of the house, café and gift shop have level or ramped access. However, the upper-floor galleries are accessible only by stairs and there is no lift. Garden paths and outdoor surfaces may also be uneven or affected by winter weather.

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