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Westonbirt: 17th year of 'Enchanted Christmas' light show

Sophie ParkerBBC News
News imageBBC Small lights buried amongst leaves on the ground in the darkBBC
It is the arboretum's "signature event"

A popular annual event that sees trees lit up, installations and fairground rides is now in its 17th year.

The director of Westonbirt Arboretum, Andrew Smith, called the Enchanted Christmas the attraction's "signature event".

The first light show was held in 1998, and alongside summer concerts, it is one of the biggest attractions at the Gloucestershire site.

News imageBBC Multi-coloured glowing wool tied together in patterns stands out from the darkness.BBC
Glow in the dark threads are weaved between trees in one section
News imageBBC A tree with lots of smaller, string-like branches lit up in pink.BBC
Westonbirt has become famous for its Enchanted Christmas events

The Enchanted Christmas evenings start on Friday, finishing on 23 December.

Mr Smith said that as well as attracting locals, the illuminations bring people from across the country.

And while the shows have become familiar over the years, he said: "People who have been for several years will see something new."

He said he thinks other organisations have "unashamedly" used the idea, including one which sent someone along 12 years ago "to copy the concept".

News imageBBC Trees lit up in blue in the dark surround by small while lights scattered on the floorBBC
The light installations are varied and include sound and music too to build an atmosphere
News imageBBC An older face with a moustache lit up onto a large tree trunkBBC
Characters, like the 'Grandfather Tree', appear on the trail

The arboretum's events manager, Zoe Tyler, said it had taken a month to set up all the lighting and they usually start discussing the event in January.

She said her favourite bit was an "interactive installation which warms you up as you are about half way" - and buttons which visitors could press to reveal lights, smoke and sound effects.

News imageBBC Arched rows of lights in pink and orange hues sit a slightly blurry darkness because of a dry ice smoky effectBBC
This tunnel gives different lighting, but also has a smoky effect.
News imageBBC A flash of green light and smoke amongst trees in the darkBBC
Interactive installations will let people press buttons to experience different light effects and sounds

Relaxed sessions for those with different needs, such as autism, are being run on Saturday and 2 December, 16:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT. These will involve fewer flashing lights, sounds and smoke.

Forestry England has said tickets for the evenings have to be booked in advance.

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