Christmas is such a lovely time of year and since my children have grown up and left home I’ve looked for new ways for hubby and I to ignite the Christmas spirit and for it to still be a special season.
One of our favourite Christmas visits to begin the festivities is to an outdoor “light show”. There are lots to choose from and I’ve attached some other suggestions at the end of this post of previous places we have visited at this time of year.
This year wrapped up in jeans, cosy woolly jumpers, waterproof boots and raincoats we ventured out last week on a wet and windy evening to try a new “light show”. Our destination was a little closer to home as we embarked on exploring “Welcome to Lights Up -The Cotswolds Sculpture Park’s first ever light show.
Our journey wasn’t without drama when halfway there we came across what appeared to be a nasty road accident and had to turn around and find an alternative route. Our new pathway took us through narrow Cotswold lanes interspersed with flood waters but we did eventually arrive at our destination.
The Cotswold Sculpture Park is a beautiful place to visit when they open from April to September with a new exhibition each year. Again I’ve added a link below.
On this cold, dark December evening we needed our phone cameras to light the way from the car park to the entrance and beyond. I guess next time we should bring a torch!
This is not your traditional all singing, all dancing Christmas light show, predominantly created for families, it’s a little more reserved and still aims to highlight some of the current sculptures on display with a night-time, Christmassy feel such as this steel hare cleverly lit up against the dark sky.
or this owl lit from within.
This sculpture made me think about our family walks on Boxing Day.
There was a definite air of “cold, Winter’s night and times of yore” about the trail with only small lanterns on the floor to light your way. Again bring a torch if you are concerned about the uneven ground!
Added excitement came in the shape of light displays such as this.
And aerial lights dancing to panpipe music which I really liked but only managed to record on video and not in a single photo shot. There was also a globe in the sky which rotated and showed a series of Christmas themes on it which you can just see in the background of this shot taken of another piece of sculpture.
The Instagram crowd could pose for photos inside a curated lit display above.
Returning to the actual sculptures I felt this creation entitled “The Hug” by Richard Cresswell was really well lit.
Along with Penny Hardy’s “The Kiss”
And this wonderful head looking like the spirit of the tree is watching over us!
This was my final photo which, in my opinion, looks so much more authentic lit up at night
I felt the availability, two thirds of the way around of marshmallows on sticks to toast over an open fire with hot spiced apple juice or mulled wine was a lovely touch. It added to the nighttime feel of the park and lit a small Christmas glow in my heart x
There were additional hot food and drinks for sale at the end of the walk including wood-fired pizza.
As I said previously this isn’t your traditional Christmas light show but it still has its place as an authentic trail through the woods of the park whilst augmenting the internal Christmas glow.
If you wish to attend other Christmas light shows the Royal Horticultural Society hold annual events at their gardens. We visited Hyde Hall last year:
https://amidlifeadventure.org/2024/12/07/experience-christmas-cheer-at-rhs-hyde-hall-glow/
We have also previously visited Westonbirt Arboretum and Blenheim Palace, both in the Cotswolds as well as Kew Gardens Night Glow in London.
Please let me know if there are other Christmas Light displays I should add to my calendar for next year.
We have also visited The Sculpture Park during the Summer, it is definitely worth adding to your Cotswolds itinerary:
https://amidlifeadventure.org/2024/06/28/discover-the-cotswolds-sculpture-park-a-harmony-of-nature-and-modern-art/
A Midlife Adventure 