Longleat Safari Park is a fantastic day out for all the family. Nathan and I visited before Christmas to see Longleat’s annual event – the Festival of Light. We spent the day exploring the safari park which you can read more about in my previous blog post here – be sure to check out the pictures of the naughty little monkeys surfing Nathan’s car on the safari drive through!
This year’s Festival of Light centred around two young explorers whose adventures to India, Egypt, Antartica, under the sea, outer space and more were told using the beautiful and colourful Chinese lanterns.
These were just some of the first lanterns we saw which had a medieval theme to them and I thought they were really effective lining the paths for people wandering about the park. They looked amazing in the day but by night when it was dark they really came alive and were stunning to look at!
The beginning of the light parade to us back to prehistoric times to see the dinosaurs – super effective aren’t they! They even had some lanterns that moved for added special effects!
Next, the young explorers ventured to Egypt to see the pyramids and camels! The picture of the pyramid doesn’t really do it justice – it was such a huge lantern – very impressive indeed!
I just loved these train themed lanterns – so clever the way the lampposts look so realistic but really they are just made of very thin paper-like material! It was cool too as there was steam coming out of the train making it look like smoke from the engine!
Next, we took to a colder climate and explored the artic – this made me want to visit an igloo although I think it would be rather chilly!
The jungle was our next stop with some incredible animal shaped lanterns – the leopard definitely being one of my favourite of the collection.
The explorers even made it to outer space to see the planets and some shooting stars – not somewhere I’ve been before!
Next up we were transported to India. How cute are the elephant and the lovely lilac flowers – so pretty and very effective against the dark night’s sky.
This rose reminds me of the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast – just like a fairytale.
I loved the colours of the next journey, especially the bright pink fairy lights. Contrasted with the yellows I think they really stand out.
Our last stop on the light parade was to be taken under the sea to witness all the amazing sea creatures that live in the ocean. I loved all the bright colours and the characters dressed up with their little diving suits and equipment.
As part of the Christmas event, Longleat House was decorated with an Edwardian Christmas theme. No pictures were allowed inside but I can tell you that the decorations were spectacular and made us feel super Christmassy. Well worth a visit!
We were also able to see the big Christmas tree that’s full of lights that are so bright to the naked eye. Regularly throughout the day, there are light shows where the tree changes colours and patterns dance to a musical story – definitely worth the watch!
Tickets to the Festival of Light also included a chance to see the birds of prey show which was a nice watch and a fun way to end our day. It’s only short, lasting about 10 minutes, but the story is nicely told and you get to see some amazing birds flying and swooping overhead. I always really enjoy watching birds of prey shows but also get a bit nervous in case one decides to sit (or poo!) on my head!
We really enjoyed our day at Longleat Safari Park and loved the Festival of Light. Whilst tickets are pricey, I think there is so much to see and do that it is worth the entry fee. Even better if you can, use your Tesco Clubcard points as we did and you get in for free! The lanterns are so incredible and the theme was lovely to follow. I hope to visit again next year!
Wow! this is amazing! I can’t believe how good the castle looks!
Amazing aren’t they! So impressive, I can’t imagine how long they took to make!
More than a festival of lights this is a festival of wonders! They are real works of art! The balloon blew me away!
Haha yes! I couldn’t agree with you more! So clever and inspiring!
Oh we love Longleat and this is amazing! I;d love to go when this is on!
It’s such a great place to visit isn’t it – defo try and go to the Festival of Light, it really adds so much to the day!
What a wonderful event ! This is something that looks like would be great for adults and kids alike. I could definitely see my boys enjoying something like this.
Yes fun for all I think as the lanterns were just magical!
Wow. I would have loved to see these in person. Feel like a little kid all over again. Thanks for sharing!
Yes it is pretty exciting and made me feel like a kid too!
This will be really fun and exciting for kids and young at heart. I totally like those photos especially the Igloo.
The igloo was amazing! Such clever lanterns and designs.
Those lights are so gorgeous and absolutely unique! I would have loved to seen this with our family!
It was so good, defo will try and go again another year!
That Festival of light at Longleat Safari Park sounds like a fun and cool place to go with kids and young at heart. I absolutely love those photos especially the big Christmas tree.
The tree was huge and so bright! Certainly very festive!
Festival of lights are always so fun! Great photos. This looks like a great family outing
Thank you! It was super fun!
This looks amazing festival. Love the pictures beautifully captured. Would love to attend this festival one day, Thanks for sharing about this festival of light
Thanks, I hope you get to visit one day!
I really want to take the girls to long leat. The Festival of Lights looks amazing!
It’s so worth it, such a fun day and so much to see and do!
This was such an amazing place, kids or even adults will definitely love this, even me myself was stunned just looking through these photos.
Yes there were people of all ages enjoying it! So cool!
Marvelous lanterns! Must have been an amazing experience seeing these lanterns up close. 🙂
It was a fun experience for sure and very festive too!
Oh how wonderful! I’ve never been to a festival of light before. This looks incredible. You may have tempted me to take the children at the end of this year!
It’s so amazing, I would really recommend going next year!
This art is stunning! The work they must have put into this is crazy.
It’s such an art form isn’t it, they must be planning it and making them all year!
Omg, the dinosaur lantern and train lantern was so stunning! I can’t imagine how big the effort they put just to build this things.
Yes, I love the train too! Something for all members of the family to marvel at! The effort much just be insane and hard work too!
wow what an amazing time, this Dinos would have totally won over my kiddos!
Ah yes lots of children seemed to be enjoying those!
I can’t imagine how much time and effort it took to make those lanterns! It looks really amazing in your pictures
I know right, must take forever! I wonder if they are starting to make this year’s lanterns now ready for December!
This looks so beautiful. I can only imagine how fun it is to see each of these marvels up close and in person.
It was so lovely and I just kept saying ooh look at that one and oooh that’s so cool!
These all look amazing! They look like they are part of a dream or a movie set. You look like you had an amazing time.
Yes, they do don’t they! We really enjoyed ourselves 🙂
Wow this is so cool! Where is Longleat? My favorites are the chameleon and the sea anemone.
Longleat is in Warminster, Wiltshire – loads of fun and worth a visit!
Wow, this looks like so much fun! I love activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Totally, we saw lots of families having a lovely time.
Wow how beautiful! I never knew anything like this existed.
Amazing isn’t it! Will certainly be back next year!
This looks like a beautiful experience, I’d love to see this for myself!
It’s a great festival, do check it out next year if you are interested!
This looks so beautiful. I would love to visit this place. Amazing
It was so awesome!
Those lights looks so beautiful. This really looks festival of lights. I would love to visit there with my family. Kids would love to go there.
It’s a great day out!
Oh wow what a super fab activity out. Love the light festival, that hot air balloon looks amazing xx
Yeah, I loved the hot air balloon too!
These are the coolest light displays I have ever seen~!
Me too I think!
This is the most amazing light display I have ever seen
🙂 so good you said it twice..!
I really wanted to go to this but we just could not afford it this year…….maybe next year, it looks amazing
Yes, it is rather on the pricey side, especially if visiting with a family. If you have a Tesco clubcard then use your points! We got both tickets totally free using them!
Very artistic. I have never been to light festival, It would be fun a fun place to be.
Yes, totally a beautiful work of art!
This looks like really a nice festival to explore. I would love to visit this place. Amazing
Be sure to visit next year if you’re local, well recommended!
I’ve always wanted to go to this!! Looks amazing!! Every year it seems better than the last and I must buy tickets for next year
Laura x
It’s so great, honestly we had such a good day, really recommend!