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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Longleat Festival of Light

16 replies

longleat · 12/10/2022 07:56

Longleat Christmas theme is a festival of light and very expensive.

Has anyone done it before and was it worth it?

How did you structure your day to get the most of it?

Any similar alternatives that you'd recommend?

OP posts:

MagnaQuestion · 12/10/2022 07:59

Isn't it similar to longleat tickets? All theme parks/attractions are expensive these days and it's obviously a day out with the animals not just lights.

The ones that get to me are the national Al trust ones that used to be free and are now charging when you just get an hours walk!

Crazymadchickenlady · 12/10/2022 08:00

We went last year but used Tesco vouchers so it was much cheaper. We enjoyed it but had never been to Longleat before so it was all new to us. It was also pretty cold and damp (we went end of November for the kids birthdays). We stayed in a Wetherspoons hotel in a town quite close by which was nice and fairly cheap.

Original poster

longleat · 12/10/2022 08:02

Tesco vouchers could be a good idea to bring cost down. Did you go later in the day to see the animals so you weren't waiting too long for dark to see the lights?

OP posts:

Original poster

longleat · 12/10/2022 08:02

MagnaQuestion · 12/10/2022 07:59

Isn't it similar to longleat tickets? All theme parks/attractions are expensive these days and it's obviously a day out with the animals not just lights.

The ones that get to me are the national Al trust ones that used to be free and are now charging when you just get an hours walk!

I think is and we haven't done longleat in the summer for the same reasons. This is probably the top end of entry fee for a day out.

OP posts:

USaYwHatNow · 12/10/2022 08:04

We have just booked and used their NHS discount site? Worth a look if you are part of the 'lifesaving community' as they call it.

Crazymadchickenlady · 12/10/2022 08:07

It gets dark quite early at the end of November! There wasn’t that many lights. As far as I can remember the house was lit up, their was a big Xmas tree that changed colours, a walkway of lights and other trees lit up. We went after breakfast at the hotel so got there just after 10
I think. We did the safari, the owl show, the boat trip and looked at all the animals while it was still light and then looked at the lights last and then went home about 5ish I think.

Crazymadchickenlady · 12/10/2022 08:10

I had enough Tesco vouchers for all the tickets so we just paid for petrol and hotel for one night. We could have gone there and back in a day but it would have meant getting up really early.

MagnaQuestion · 12/10/2022 08:12

I think its probably worth getting there first thing as there is so much to see you won't do it in one Winter day. We love the boat ride where you can feed the seals but that starts to form a queue when it's busy. Also driving thru the safari takes a couple of hours (we do the bus now as its a fab commentary and get close to the animals without wreaking our car!) There's a fab play area but may not be so fab if it's dark and cold. There was ice skating too which we didn't do as it was adding up. Food is extortionate which is perhaps also in favour of a summer trip (amd longer opening hours) as in winter, even with a picnic, you want something to "warm you up."

We last went to the lights pre covid and it was really fab so hoping to go again this year with tesco vouchers.

I really would plan it as a "day at longleat- with lights" than just a light walk though!

WhenTheDragonsCame · 12/10/2022 08:15

I've been to longleat a few times including a couple over Christmas and new year. I go early and straight to the safari. Then on to the walk around part where they have other animals including sea lions, meerkats, a sloth and gorillas (didn't see them though as inside keeping warm). They also have a big outdoor play area, maze and train that you can book to see Santa (possibly extra). I think the last couple of times we have been the house was closed due to covid. By December it's getting dark quite early so the light show is on by about 5pmish.

Choconut · 12/10/2022 08:18

The last two or three years have not been nearly as good as normal because of covid and so not being able to get the Chinese lantern makers over to make the amazing lanterns. This year things are back to normal and they have a proper theme again and it will be amazing. Unfortunately they're no longer doing the 'night visit only' tickets which were cheaper and meant you could see the lanterns without paying for the safari etc.
We've been to a few pre covid and they are brilliant, a hundred times better than the National Trust ones - although we have enjoyed those too. Have you seen this year they are putting up a chocolate factory that is bigger than the house itself? It will all be lit up, there is a giant peach and all the characters from the books. I really recommend it if you haven't been before and will also enjoy the safari etc. Unfortunately we won't be going because we've been to the safari a lot (annual passes one year), don't have young kids for the rides and can't get the evening only tickets unfortunately.

Lurleene · 12/10/2022 08:21

I went one year and it was fantastic. Went back the next year and it was cold and wet, if I hadn't prebooked and paid I wouldn't have gone. It was very miserable. I think your enjoyment will be weather dependant.

Have you heard in the Christmas Tree Wonderland in Bournemouth. That is completely free Christmas Tree Wonderland

Lilyhatesjaz · 12/10/2022 08:21

I have been a few times and really enjoyed it. We had lights only tickets though so just went for the evening and didn't see any of the animals but it was much cheaper.

10ReallyRamada · 12/10/2022 10:11

Chessington zoo also have Christmas lan

MaggieMagpie357 · 12/10/2022 10:22

We went a few years ago and absolutely loved it - we arrived at opening time so that we could secure tickets for the safari by bus (first come first served and limited numbers,) so by the time we'd done the safari, had lunch and a wander round the other animals and attractions it was getting dark. Then hot chocolates at the cafe before doing the light trail. We all have great memories of that day, definitely highly recommend.

HollyJollypup · 12/10/2022 10:26

It’s great. It’s local(ish) to me so we go most years.

We go for the full day.

This I had actually reminded me I won 4 longleat tickets and need to use them this half term so thanks😅

Freedomfromguilt · 12/10/2022 10:37

Longleat's Festival of Lights is brilliant and this is the first time they've run it since 2019 due to Covid. Anyone who went last year did not see anything comparable to what this years will be.

Longleat will be opening at 10am with the last entry to the Safari at 2pm, we will probably do the boat and play areas first, then head to the safari and back for the lights. We have done the Santa train in the past but really didn't think that it was worth it.
We have given up on visiting during the summer now as DC's are older but will continue to go for the Christmas lights. My DM who is 78 starts nagging me about booking in August because she loves it so much. I use Tesco clubcard vouchers so entry doesn't cost much but it is a 2.5 hour trip for us.

The food is expensive and not very good so think about taking something with you.
I think that this year I will be going twice.

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