We were kindly invited along to the press opening night of BeWILDerwood presents Christmas at BeWILDerwood Cheshire. It’s a new light and panto trail in Cheshire and is fantastic for kids.Find more Christmas days out in the North West here. Read on to find my review of this family light trail and our top tips for visiting.
Ad – we were given tickets for the press evening in exchange for this honest review. All thought, photos and opinions are my own.
BeWILDerwood Cheshire have done Halloween light trails for a couple of years now but 2022 is the first year they have done a Christmas light trail. We have visited BeWILDerwood in the day time. Read my BeWILDerwood Cheshire review here. One thing we knew before we even arrived is that BeWILDerwood creates a magical world for little ones.
We weren’t disappoint, they have created a magical event for families this Christmas. We have visited a few light trails but this one is quite different and is aimed at young families. It’s perfect for kids and their grown ups. As well as a 1 mile trail of stunning lights there are extra treats that the kids will adore.
My girls are 6 and 9 and they loved every minute. They say it’s their favourite light trail (this was our third and final one of 2022). There favourite bit was the panto (more details below) but the pure delight was evident on their faces throughout the whole trail.
So what makes BeWILDerwood Presents Cheshire different?
As well as stunning lights set to music (all instrumentals), there are lots of cute sculptures that the kids adored. There are loads of snowmen, crackers, a giant Christmas pudding and lots of gingerbread people.
There are also Boggle puppets at various points where the puppets will entertain the kids for a few minutes. My kids loved the one in the Christmas cracker jokes area who told jokes and also listened to the jokes told by the children watching.
Half way through there is a mini-panto. This cute little panto lasts just 15 minutes but is very well done and includes a little story, a Christmas song, some of the Boggle creatures who live at BeWILDerwood, lots of audience participation and a bunny who wants to be a reindeer. The panto was the highlight for my kids!
Wave to santa right at the end as he’s in his sleigh waving to all the families. Another highlight for the kids.
Fake snow showers! There is a lovely bit with snowflake lights and lots of beautiful lights in the trees then periodically there are short sprays of foam that is like a magical snow shower.
Each child leaves with a Christmas craft to take home (collect it at the panto) and a lovely, full colour short chapter book “A snowdance at BeWILDerwood” by Tom Blofeld (collect it by Santa at the exit).
Food and drink
Just after the panto, is the food area where you can stop to enjoy some festive treats and drinks. The food is available from their onsite cafe (outdoor seating though) and they have a fab festive menu to choose from.
We can highly recommend the bangers in blankets in a hot dog roll which are delicious and really good sized, quality sausages. You could also warm up with a hot chocolate and a mince pie. There are also vegetarian and vegan options so everyone is catered for.
The seating is outdoors but under canvas roof so this will provide some shelter from any rain.
Our top tips
- Wear appropriate shoes. A lot of the trail is in the woods. The paths are generally good though and there are loads of wooden board walks. There were loads of large puddles in the car park and some muddy areas but nothing that walking boots or wellies can’t cope with.
- Dress warm! You will be outdoors for up to 2 hours. You will also be sitting down for 20-30 minutes in the outdoor panto area and there are no heaters or indoor areas.
- The paths are wide and suitable for prams and pushchairs.
- There are toilets in the middle (by the panto and cafe area) as well as the end by the daytime entrance. If you are familiar with BeWILDerwood in the day time, the entrance to the trail is at the opposite side of the car park and the exit is the one where you enter and leave in the day.
- Food and drink are the only additional costs at the event.
- Expect to spend 90 minutes on average. The panto lasts 15 minutes and is on at regular intervals. The trail itself if just 1 mile long.
- Tickets are £15.50 each and parking is included. Book your tickets here – BeWILDerwood Cheshire
Where to next?
Find more Christmas light trails North West here.