Quite possibly the most beautiful festive experience we have ever had. It’s impossible to describe just how magical the light trail around the riverside gardens is but I will do my best – my pictures do not do the enchanted garden at Webbs of Wychbold justice at all. Arlo at age four was enthralled throughout 2021 and I was left feeling quite emotional and overwhelmed by the environment, especially when we walked through the woodland path and found a rainbow bridge having lost our pet cat just prior to this visit.
If you’re reading this in 2023 then click here for this years review (which contains lots of image spoilers).
We usually visit Santa at the grotto Webbs Garden Centres – this event was entirely new last year and the attention to detail the team put in to decorating the gardens is truly remarkable, it’s a beautiful place to visit anyway but this is something else. There are the most beautiful light installations throughout, with different themed areas and displays to happen upon, and lights placed in some of the best places to also showcase the beauty of the gardens themselves. Plenty of different spots to pause for festive family photos. We can’t wait to see exactly what the team put together this year. Plus having two family tickets to giveaway makes this so exciting.
I highly recommend this to families looking for a festive experience. Arlo is four and so found them entire hour we spent in the gardens magical – he recognised the stories behind the gingerbread man and the Jack and the bean stalk displays but his favourite element was the woodland walk with all the different animals. The entire experience took us about an hour.
The theme the first year was based on fairy tales you will instantly recognise with large books throughout featuring popular quotes. The entire garden is filled with Christmas music and sound effects as you walk around I’m not sure if they’re on a loop or there are motion sensors as each display had its own unique sounds. Last year was even bigger and better with a stunning sleeping beauty so we are excited to find out what the creative team have been up to this year in the gardens.
If you’re familiar with the gardens you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say that Santa is near to the hobbit house, in a purpose built hut, and he was lovely and chatty with Arlo, reminding him of course to be good and to leave him a mince pie on the big day. Just before we turned the corner to greet him snow machines were bursting out flakes from their spots hidden in the trees and Arlo gasped in amazement.
The important info:
adults £16 / kids £10 / under twos free off peak (£18/£12 through December) book here
Suitable for prams and wheelchairs throughout as the entire route is on pathways
Open from 4.30pm. And this was just right for us as it began to get dark as we entered.
A little hot chocolate hut in the middle selling some festive treats like candy canes etc.
There is a pop up marquee at the end with a toasty fire, drinks and snacks to purchase. Arlo had a kids hotdog and chips and I drooled at the red velvet cake.
You greet Santa near the end of the experience, you don’t book, just have a little chat as you pass by his hut and of course take some pictures – his elf gives the little ones a set of stickers and a badge.
There are also the Hygge pods close by to book for a special treat £25 per head for a festive afternoon tea and Prosecco (minimum four people)
Of course the garden centre is open too and worth popping in just to see the displays inside and make some festive purchases. Arlo loves the sing along snowmen right at the entrance. Webbs of Wychbold is the place to visit to invite the festive spirit in for 2022
To enter our giveaway to win a family ticket to the enchanted gardens click through to rafflecopter.
T&c’s apply. Competiton closes on 11/11/2023 – winners must be able to travel to Webbs of Wychbold – tickets can be booked for any time the gardens are open and include hot chocolates for the family too.
Don’t forget to check out all our live giveaways here
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Absolutely fabulous experience, the enchanted trail was amazing and we had a pod after, which was delightful we had a glorious hot meal and wine, the service was excellent, well recommended.
That sounds like such a lovely evening
Oh we had a lovely time last year! The singing penguin’s were a fantastic addition to the store, my daughter loved them!
Very tempted to book the pods this year 🙂
We have been going for the past 3 years, taking our grankids, my daughter and her partner came last year so we returned this year, on granddaughters 5th Birthday! And it was magical, so much as we got to take new additions of the family 2 new grandsons born 6 weeks apart, today was special because my daughters partner proposed to her under the arch.. making memories !