Soham Christmas House

Every December, a modest detached house in Soham transforms into something of a pilgrimage site for anyone within striking distance of Ely who fancies a bit of festive theatre. The Christmas House has become legendary locally for its elaborate light displays - the kind of setup that takes months to plan and probably costs a fortune in electricity. We're talking full-on laser shows, synchronized music, thousands upon thousands of bulbs covering every inch of the property. It's the sort of thing that makes you wonder whether the neighbours love it or secretly despise it.

This is genuinely more for families with young kids and people who get a genuine kick out of elaborate displays. Adults might find it a bit much after ten minutes, though there's something oddly compelling about the sheer commitment to it all. The lights typically run through the festive season - though exact dates vary year to year, so worth checking locally before you make the trip.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Trelander or Hatters Meadows are both solid options - Soham is an easy drive from Ely. It's free to view from outside, which is the only way to experience it anyway. Don't expect much else in Soham village itself; this is the main event. Go early evening when it's properly dark and the whole thing shows itself off properly. Allow twenty minutes, maybe half an hour if the kids want to stare at it properly.