I’ve been going to Kew Gardens’ “Christmas at Kew” for the last few years which is always popular with kids and adults alike. However, this year I returned to Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland event which is only available on Fridays and Saturdays for a few weekends – so you need to book your tickets quick.
It’s a similar concept to Kew – although I think Syon Park did theirs first – but with a more natural and less commercial theme.
It took us about an hour to walk the 1.75 miles around the ornamental lake in the heart of Syon Park’s gardens. It’s dark and a bit muddy - and all the more exciting for it. The small people (including those in buggies) that I saw really seemed to enjoy being out and about in the night time air.
At the start of the walk there’s a fearsome dragon in the water breathing smoke (mist). The bridges are bedecked with pretty lights.
Many of the trees are lit up with coloured lights – giving them a ghostly feel.
Every so often there is a small area where they have provided ornaments and little statues to produce a fairy grotto or a mermaid swimming bay. There’s something very special about the tall trees with their decorative lights reflected perfectly in the still water of the lake. There’s music all the way around – including some atmospheric organ music. Magical.
And then there are the coloured cubes that dance to the music. Mirror balls that send out beams of light through the tree branches. Incredible lasers that fly across the water to illuminate the tall column statue in the meadow. A steamy dragon’s lair in the base of a tree. And twinkly pin lights making the trees an explosion of white and red festive dots.
We particularly enjoyed walking through the rainbow-coloured framed walk way which was a little disorientating as some were on a slant.
And at the end the great house is the canvass for an energetic light show and there’s a spectacular display in the conservatory – and even more lasers dancing to the music. There’s a café and some food and drink stalls at the end. But we had taken some mulled wine with us as we walked around the trail.
http://www.enchantedwoodland.com/
Twitter - @EnchantedSyon
