Longleat is a wonderful place to visit, but even more magical during the Longleat Festival of Light, and then add in the Longleat Santa Train as a Christmas Santa visit and it becomes such a magical day. We have visited here twice and it was such a magical day for the children.
Back in December and right before Christmas we visited Longleat to see the Festival Of Light and to visit Santa on their Santa train. We visited last year and had such a lovely day out, but didn’t manage to fit everything into one visit. So this year we decided that we would go back and do the things we missed, and of course, see Santa.
Booking was back in September and again was very busy, and slots were running out as soon as the booking lines opened. I was lucky and was sitting at my desk when the e-mail came through to book! We were planning on visiting on the last weekend before Christmas, 23rd so we knew it was going to be busy, but also pretty Christmassy and exciting for the kids too.
When we first arrived we went straight to the River Cruise, last year we left this until the afternoon and when we turned up the queue was too long and late in the day, so missed it. This was on today’s list to do! It was lovely and quiet meaning the kids could run to each side of the boat to spot the seals in the water and they were hungry for the fish that you could purchase to throw over and feed them with! Although I reckon they are probably hungry all day!!
Next up for the very large castle playground, the kids did this last year but love it so much they had to do it again!
The next stop was to hold a snake and a bug! So scroll down if you don’t like snakes. This was a great experience for the kids, it isn’t every day you come across a huge snake to hold.
The parrot show, these were SO cute. They performed little tricks and they looked like they were quite happy to do them too.
After a go around the hippo ride, and the mirror maze it was time for our slot for the Santa Train. We booked a 4 pm train, which meant it was light enough to get the train out into the woods, but it got dark very quickly then.
So the woods were dark when we arrived, and pitch black by the end of the Santa experience.
This year we also got a hot chocolate and mince pie as adults, I loved this touch and everything was lovely and warm.
Last year we nearly missed our Santa visit whilst having the kid’s face painted, so we queued straight up to see Santa in his log cabin.
The kids could do some colouring whilst in the queue waiting, and the elves chatted to them when you got to the door.
Santa was fantastic, chatted with the kids and was very friendly. I loved how the cabin was decorated well and lovely and warm with a log burner!
We took the kid’s photo, but you can purchase one from Longleat.
The presents were a nice board game for them each, and mine were all happy with them.
Once the train arrived back with the next lot of people it was time for us to head back to Longleat. As it was dark by now the whole of Longleat was lit up, there are lanterns in the trees, through the paths that lead you down to the main attraction. Then you are greeted by the huge lanterns.
Follow the paths around, it is a one-way system that you have to follow and we attended on a busy day, so there were a lot of people trying to get photos and see the lanterns.
This year’s theme was all about fairy tales, so the kids really enjoyed them as they could relate to them. They loved moving on to the next one and guessing what fairy tale it was.
By far our favourite one was The Little Mermaid, with a huge on the water with Ariel waving across to the prince on the boat!
Longleat Festival Of Light is a great event and coupled with our annual visit to see Santa too, it makes a great family Christmas day out.
Also, try giving them a special Christmas gift if the elves and fairytale characters from the Festival of Lights are a favourite of the children. Custom pin badges designed with these elements seem to be good, design their favourite colours and patterns, engrave the names and times of the family members on the back and give them to them, and then you can wear them for Christmas, which should be very commemorative. Learn more at Pinbadges Co.
Pictures Taken December 2017
Have a look at the video of our day out at Longleat too
Tips For Longleat Festival Of Light
- Do the safari first if you are planning on doing this too
- Wrap up well, as it got very chilly as soon as it got dark
- Plan what you want to do in the park before you leave home
- Pack snacks and lunches if you don’t want to eat at Longleat
- Plan somewhere to meet if you lose each other
- A bag for carrying Santas gift afterwards
- Keep all kid’s valuables zipped away and don’t lose a mobile phone as we did!
- You need a full day to do everything
- We used our Tesco Clubcard vouchers for entry to the park
- Visit the Christmas tree at the end of the lights
26 Comments
Wow, looks like you had a fantastic time! Not been to longleat in yonks, should really go back!
It’s a great day out, so much to do!
I must admit I am a big fan of festival of lights. They are just so magical, especially at Christmas. And this just fits the bill! The Eden Project also has a festival of lights which we love going to during the Christmas break too. Can’t believe it’s all over!
They are so magical aren’t they. I didn’t know about the Eden projects ones.
We saw the Longleat festival of light a couple of years ago I think it was and it is truly magical. The Santa train looks like so much fun!
They love the Santa train, I love it when it goes out into the woods that are all snowy. Magical!
What a beautiful place to explore with the kids, I bet it felt really magical with all the Christmassy themed activities going on! Those lanterns really are magnificient, I love the theme of Fairy Tales, I’m sure that really got the kids discussing them this year. I bet the kids are already begging to go back again next Christmas for more adventures around Longleat.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
The kids love it so much, and yes already asking to go back! Wonder what next years theme will be
We love Longleat, but we’ve never been at Christmas. I keep saying we will go to Festival of Lights and never get round to it! Next time for sure
Yes make sure you do go, it’s such a great day out and loads to do
I have always wanted to visit Longleat after watching it on TV years and years ago. This looks like such a lovely event and great family day out. Your photos are lovely x
Ah thank you, it’s a pretty perfect family day out and even more so at Christmas
I really wanted to do this with the kids this year but sadly a nasty bout of illness ruled it out. I will go next year
Oh no, I hope you manage to get there this year
I really want to go to Longleat. It’s on our list of places to visit this year. The festival of light and Santa train sounds like so much fun. What a great festive addition to the attraction! The lanterns look gorgeous and Santas little cabin looks really cosy. x
Oh you would love it, it’s so magical when you get the train around into the woods and then greeted by the snowy woodland
What a lovely place to visit. It looks magical here. My kids would love it 🙂
I think every kid would love this place!
What a lovely, Christmassy festival – and what beautiful lights! My kids would love this!
Stunning isn’t it, all the kids loved it so great day out
There’s something special about light displays in the winter. I bet it was a wonderful sight!
It was stunning!
I’ve never seen anything like this Festival of Light, I would love to go next year!
Brilliant isn’t it, you should try and go!
This looks like a fab day out! And the rains held off too!
Maria x
Baby Things
Thank you, yep no rain….when has that happened over the past couple of months!