We took a short pre-Christmas mini break to Northumberland, and high on our list of ‘must see’ places were Alnwick Gardens. On the run-up to Christmas, the Gardens transform into a wonderfully festive and colourful space, full of fun and fantasy. Our visit took place on 21 December, from 6:30pm.
Alnwick, it’s Castle and Gardens
A reason we went to Northumberland, other than being a place we’re really fond of, was to show the children Alnwick Castle. Toby will be learning about Harry Potter when he goes back to school in January, and in the first two HP films Alnwick Castle became Hogwarts! Alnwick Castle is open to the public between April and October, so we’ll be making a return visit to spend more time at this famous film location.
The Alnwick Gardens, however, ARE open during the winter months, for general visits and themed visits; During Halloween for example, you can take part in pumpkin carving, along with visiting the Ghoulish Garden, the Garden of Screams, and take part in Zombie Divide and Conquer!
Our Visit
The night was very cold on our visit and this gave it a real Christmas atmosphere. We were able to park just outside the gardens for free and walk down to the entrance. We could see the lights even from the driveway as the night had drawn in by then. It added to the mystic Christmas atmosphere. The gardens played host to a fantastic light show.
Craft Fair and Café
The entrance and ticket area also housed a small market stall area selling high-end arts, crafts, clothing, jewellery and Christmas decorative ornaments.
There was also the chance to buy some local produce such as meat and cheese and cakes. However, the best part were the stalls selling mulled wine and mince pies 😊 The Alnwick Garden café was just brilliant and did a huge range of snacks, cakes and drinks. We could have chosen from mince pies, scones, tarts, brownies, sponge cakes and carrot cake and any denomination of coffee you could wish for. But best of all, for Millie-Mae and Toby, they did ‘towering’ hot chocolate with marshmallows, cream and sprinkles. It sure did look good!
Winter Light Trail
At our assigned time, we headed to the entrance of the Gardens. There was a circular route through the garden which told a story in lights. The first section was the fairground – helter-skelter and carousel, which were all lit up.
Then we walked past the entrance to The Poison Garden …
… and up a terraced area to the top of the hill via a swing park, which was again lit up.
At the top was a waterfall used as a projection screen for an abstract Christmas story. This was really rather mesmerizing – a clip can be viewed below.
From the top of the walk, above the main cascade, you could look down towards the Gardens’ main pavilion. It was all lit up and looked very festive.
On the walk down the hill a fabulous array of coloured lights highlighted the paths and made a fabulous spectacle. Towards the bottom was a tunnel of bamboo, all lit up.
And then there was the main light show, featuring the large waterfall cascade. This terraced area was lit by a cascading light show.
All in all, the light show was impressive and very well done. We all loved it.
Winter Playground
The Winter Playground was a purpose-built snow room where the kids could go and play. They threw snowballs, built a small snowman and generally acted like kids do in snow!
They needed to use either shoe covers or special wellies so that snow did not become dirty and unusable. Toby spent most of his time gathering snow to give to the young children …
There was a constant flow of kids playing in the snow and parents sitting in the waiting area sipping a steaming coffee or hot chocolate. Brilliant and very Christmassy for a country that can’t really guarantee snow.
Winter Bumpers
The night was almost at an end but we were not yet finished. There were the bumper cars, which looked to be fantastic fun. They were essentially an electric powered vehicle with a huge rubber inner tube around them. You control them with two levers – so you can push both forward to go forward or pull both back to go backwards. And if you push one forward and pull one back you go around in circles – a bit like the mini tanks Toby drove in Hampshire. The kids loved it bouncing and competing and bumping into everything. The bumpers were a definite hit!
I should mention that there’s a very popular Father Christmas to arrange to see during your visit. He was, understandably, fully booked when we were there.
Last but not least there was the Alnwick Gardens shop, which had a huge range of books, gifts, trinkets and local artwork and photography to remind you of the area and your visit.
We look forward to coming back in the Spring or summer to see the garden at the height of their beauty and perfection. The children, especially, are looking forward to seeing The Poison Garden.
For more information, visit The Alnwick Gardens website here.
This looks phenomenal! What a wonderful way to celebrate in the run up to Christmas x
This looks like such a festive thing to do! My kids would loves all the lights and I like the look of that winer garden. Oh I wish Christmas wasn’t over!
I really want to do the Harry Potter broomsticks at Alnwick but the light trail looks fab too
Wow, this looks amazing and would tick so many boxes for each of our children. Northumberland is on our list to visit so we definitely add the castle in to see.
This looks like a great place to visit on the run up to Christmas. Looks lovely!
This look beautiful! I especially like the snow room that kids can play and have fun safely!
I love visiting places with the kids that are educational – you feel like you get double the value from them don’t you? It looks like a super attraction – one that will be on my radar if I’m over in that neck of the woods. Plus it’s great to just be outdoors anyway!