Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt

13 December 2014

On a clear still winter's night, a group of 26 ladies travelled by coach to Westonbirt Arboretum to see their "Enchanted Christmas" display.
 
We left Portishead at 4pm, the journey up the motorway was easy with lots of chatter. We only encountered the queuing traffic just as we entered the village of Westonbirt. Being in the coach we went swiftly to the drop off point close to the new Welcome Building, whilst other visitors travelling by car queued to find a parking space and had a longer distance travel to get to the entrance.
 
The walk across the field was easy on the new gravel paths with strings of lights either side with rope barriers to show us the way. A large tent straddles the path and several of us took the opportunity to refuel at one of the several stands selling various hot foods and drinks as we passed through.
 
The mile long route through the arboretum between the illuminated trees started after we had been greeted by a very tall fairy (lady on stilts) who pointed the way.
 
Having started our walk at about 5.30pm the route was not too crowded so we were able to stop and admire the many and varied floodlit trees. Some of the floodlights changed colour which gave amazing changes to the look of the trees. The floodlit trees were also interspersed with interesting Christmas light displays.
 
In the distance we could hear children screaming, the reason for their screams became apparent when we reached that part of the walk. There was a carpet of lights, at the end of which was a Christmas tree with a star on the top. This progressively lit up when people shouted into the microphone. It appeared to take three children to light the tree all the way to the top and light the star! One young child appeared to be quite impressed he could get most of the green bit of the carpet to light just on his own and had to be retrieved by his parents!
 
Various machines blowing bubbles or smoke rings added to the interest and caused bottle necks in the flow of people through the route. Larger children with lots of energy to expend had fun pedalling like mad on bicycles wired to poles of lights which lit and got brighter as they pedalled.
 
The route ended at the main building complex where there was an opportunity for visitors to make their own Christmas wreaths or table decorations. There was a long queue of children waiting to see Santa who was dressed in the traditional green coat (pre-the red coat worn by the Santa who since the 1930's has advertised a certain brown carbonated drink with the red label).
 
There was enough time to use the facilities and have a hot drink and/or hog roast before we had to get back to the coach. By this time there was a slight frost on the grass and we left at 7.30pm to travel home.
 
Thanks again go to Jennifer for arranging such a thoroughly enjoyable and magical experience, well worth the visit.