In pictures: The festive season begins at Longleat with magical Christmas light switch on

Monday, 8 November 2021 00:00

The countdown to Christmas officially began at Longleat on Friday night (5th November) as Lord and Lady Bath turned on the Christmas lights for an evening of festive magic.

The new event, ‘Christmas at Longleat’, features Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree with a trail of merry lights sparkling with music and wonder.

Lord and Lady Bath took to the steps of Longleat house to pronounce the event open with the crowd counting down before multiple Christmas trees illuminated and a festive display was projected onto the front of the stately home.

Lord and Lady Bath

After taking in the magic of the synchronised light display, wander through the Christmas light trail and discover a love labyrinth decorated with neon love hearts, shimmering disco balls and twinkling lights - you might even bump into Santa and his elves on the way!

Love labyrinth

Next, you’ll find a giant all singing, all dancing Christmas tree covered in more than 88,000 lights and fitted with four snow-making machines. As the music plays and snow starts to fall, Santa took to the sky to make sure all the children were on their best behaviour.

But the festive fun doesn’t end there, visitors can also ride on Santa trains, hear festive stories told with the help of flying owls, watch live Christmas shows, a synchronised light and sound display on the front of Longleat House, and a host of other Christmas surprises.

Longleat’s Steve Mytton said, “Christmas is a great time for families and friends to get together and enjoy themselves. Our Christmas events have become something of an institution in recent years.

“This year’s event features a host of festive attractions from the spectacular light projection on Longleat House and our giant singing Christmas Tree, to the magical A Flight Before Christmas storytelling sessions featuring flying owls and our hugely popular Santa Trains.

“There’s also the added appeal of the safari park and all our other attractions to make it a full day out.”

To book your tickets to Christmas at Longleat click here.

More from Local News

Tributes paid to Stuart Withers after fatal accident in Salisbury

Tributes are being paid to Stuart Withers, who was knocked down and killed in an accident in Salisbury yesterday (22nd November) morning.
Salisbury's match against Maidstone United is ON

Salisbury's match against Maidstone United this afternoon is ON!
Shops tested on 'Challenge 25 policy' when selling knives

Almost 60% of shops visited by during a week of action focusing on knife crime passed the 'Challenge 25 policy' and didn't sell knives or bladed articles to under-age shoppers.
SEND families invited to online meeting to hear updates on SEND support

Wiltshire Council is inviting families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to participate in an online session as part of the consultation on the funding for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Longleat closed today due to bad weather

Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire will be closed today (Saturday 23 November) due to the forecast of strong winds.
Salisbury MP visits local primary school

Salisbury's MP has visited Winterbourne Earls Primary School and answered children's questions on a range of subjects.
Man in his 70s dies after Exeter Street collision

A man in his 70s has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Salisbury City Centre this morning (22nd November).
Weather Warning: Salisbury set for Heavy Rain this weekend

The Met Office has put a yellow weather warning in place across the area thanks to Storm Bert.