This Christmas there’s something a little different hidden in the Wiltshire countryside, Longleat has launched a fantastic new festive display of Chinese lanterns, the ‘Festival of Light’. Alongside the traditional Christmas attractions including the Christmas Market, beautifully decorated stately home, 50 foot tall singing Christmas tree, ice rink and Magical Santa Train, Longleat is welcoming a spectacular lantern display into its grounds.
The lanterns which stand up to 50ft tall are a combination of traditional Chinese dynasties as well as animals that you might find on the famous Longleat safari. The lanterns are crafted from delicate silk fabric and are filled with hundreds of tiny LED lights which make them light up spectacularly after dark. Built by a team of Chinese artists this is the first lantern display of it’s kind in Europe.
Possibly the most impressive of the lanterns is the porcelain dragon, lit up various shades of pink, purple and red and exhaling smoke after dark it really has to be seen to be believed. You can follow the trail of lanterns to see the amazing display in its full glory and will take around an hour.
Don’t worry though, there is plenty to see on top of the fabulous lanterns, the 300 year old tradition of Face Changing makes for a dazzling display of trickery and drama as the artist switches his mask faster than you can blink. There is also a fabulous display of Chinese acrobats who will have you holding your breath as they display various stunts and tricks.
Finally, no trip to Longleat is complete without a drive around the Safari park to see the fabulous animals from Tigers to Lions to Zebras you are bound to see some of Africa’s most elusive animals up close.
With plenty of other attractions including a huge hedge maze, a Deadly 60 game which is fun for all the family and a boat ride to see the Sea Lions a day of fun is promised for the whole family!
The Festival of Light display will be open until Sunday 4th January 2015.