The first time the Coca Cola truck rolls onto TV; hearing the opening bars of Fairytale of New York; or seeing Michael Bublé has announced his inevitable tour - everyone has a different way of marking when Christmas has truly 'begun'.

For me, though, it's fast becoming a trip to Bedgebury.

The pinetum's ever-popular illuminated trail is back for its fifth year, and is as spectacular as ever.

The organisers promise this year's will be a "festive adventure with the wow factor" and it's certainly that - this isn't just Bob and Janet next door whacking up a few fairy lights and sticking an inflatable Santa on the roof.

Each installation is a piece of art, paired with music to create a sense of something - whether that be the soothing calm of a digital LED rainstorm, or the chaotic riot of colour-changing stars set to a rock soundtrack.

Nearly everything has changed this year.

But just as I was lamenting the loss of the stunning floating lilies from 2021 I turned the corner to see this year's lake show-stopper - a stunning moon and stars suspended on the water.

Gone is the laser walkway but guests can instead meander through picture-perfect heart arches or pause beneath ethereal 'ghosts' - a collection of 10 cranes flying in the trees above.

The mile-long trail features a million twinkling lights.

But you'll get the biggest hit of those in the cathedral - the 39-metre-long tunnel, pictures of which are now synonymous with Bedgebury.

And yet the images still never seem to do it justice.

"Isn't it a bit early for Christmas lights?" had shot the other half, Scrooge-like, as we spied the first illuminations on the walk down from the car park.

I suppose it is only mid-November, and I admit too, to being a little 'bah, humbug' when it comes to the festive side-show of late.

I mutter under my breath when I hear of people putting their trees up prematurely and groan at the thought of running the gauntlet of Oxford Street for presents.

The relentless commercialism of it all can be exhausting.

But I can tell you there truly is no better antidote than toasting marshmallows around a firepit in the depths of the forest, with carols hanging in the air.

And what better way to reconnect with the magic of the festive season than by watching a moon setting on a lake with a hot chocolate in hand?

Even Bedgebury's jolly old St Nick is yet to be tainted by the modern world, greeting visitors in his traditional green garb, before Coca Cola got its hands on him.

So, no matter how much Christmas cynicism you bring with you, I guarantee that after a couple of hours in the forest you'll leave ready to run down the tunnel of lights like a joyful James Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life.

I even caught the OH humming Shakin' Stevens on the way home...

Tickets must be pre-booked. They are £21.50 for adults, £14.50 children or £69 for a family of two adults and two children and the trail is open until Monday, January 2. Parking is £8 and must be arranged in advance. Book by clicking here.

Visitors are advised to wrap up warm, wear appropriate footwear and bring a torch.