Today, we’re stepping into one of the UK’s most magical winter experiences, Windsor Great Park Illuminated. The 2.2-kilometre light trail has become a seasonal staple, drawing families, superfans and experience-seekers from across the country.
And this year? It’s bigger, bolder and brighter than ever.
Paul Marden is on site wandering through the woods with the masterminds behind the magic- Rob Paul, Design Director at LCI Productions, and Kathryn Stafford, Senior Events Manager at IMG Events. Together, they reinvent this trail every single year, creating original IP, sculpting a festive narrative through light and sound, and using AV tech to bring an entire forest to life. I’m here to find out how they build an experience that keeps visitors coming back year after year.
Let’s get into it…

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[email protected] (Amelia Marden, Kathryn Stafford, Rob Paul, Paul Marden)

Windsor Great Park Illuminated: Designing Experiences That Draw Guests Back Year After Year - Rob Paul and Kathryn Stafford

DEC 10, 202533 MIN
Skip the Queue

Windsor Great Park Illuminated: Designing Experiences That Draw Guests Back Year After Year - Rob Paul and Kathryn Stafford

DEC 10, 202533 MIN

Description

Step into the woods with us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most iconic winter light trails: Windsor Great Park Illuminated.In this episode of Skip the Queue, Paul Marden is joined on-site by Rob Paul, Design Director at LCI Productions, and Kathryn Stafford, Senior Events Manager at IMG Events, to discuss how this 2.2km light trail continues to evolve, surprise and delight hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.Rob and Kathryn reveal how they transform a natural woodland into a breathtaking immersive world — all while protecting wildlife and crafting stories that keep guests coming back year after year.You’ll discover:What’s new for the 2025 trailThe creative process behind reinventing the experience annuallyThe challenges of designing large-scale AV in a protected natural landscapeHow iconic Instagram moments are balanced with quieter storytellingBrand-new characters, narratives and festive surprisesTrends in repeat visitation and evolving guest expectations  Show References: Windsor Great Park Illuminated https://www.windsorilluminated.com/tickets/ Rob Paul - Design Director, LCI Productionshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/lci-productions-ltd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-paul-7a4ab417/ Kathryn Stafford - Senior Events Manager, IMG Events  / PWRhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/img/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-stafford-7504241b/ Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Paul Marden.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth. Download your FREE copy here