The illuminated light trail at Stourhead in Wiltshire was first realised last year. I was not able to go last year, so it was high on my list this year. Despite booking in September for the earliest slot on its opening day, the November lockdown meant that the event was postponed and my original date was cancelled. I had to rebook for a less-than-convenient day. Luckily, I was able to get to go then and did not book it for the end of December because my area on the fringe of London is now under new restrictions with all other plans cancelled at last minute (thanks, Covid 19). This visit to Stourhead took place last Monday. My visit was thankfully dry and not too cold, and I enjoyed getting out. There have been very few times this year that I have actually been able to get out and do things.
Due to coronavirus, the event was scheduled with social-distancing in mind, so the displays did not encourage much lingering nor crowding. However, there were a couple of tight points where other members of the public seemed to forget that there was a pandemic and got very close to crowding. Despite these two instances, most people were being respectful, but there was a mild and muted anxiety in the air.
We were led down a hill to the greenhouse for the first lights. This little area was a bit narrow with two light-covered archways with people crowding around. This was the first problem area. At the end, this led to a small orchard with trees covered in orbs, snowflakes in the walled garden, and the lit-up greenhouse.
Next, we walked through an illuminated walkway and saw views of the facade of Stourhead house, which was illuminated.
The trail then diverted into the courtyard by this house, and Santa was here. He was socially-distanced inside his little fence, but he could get photographs with you and speak to you if you wanted to tell him what you wanted for Christmas. It was all in mind with safety here.
Next up, we came to illuminated rattan-style displays in the first twelve days of Christmas, surrounded by flames.
Futher along the trail, we saw a few Christmas trees made of sleds.
Then, on to the first larger display of illuminated tulips. This was set to a light show, and they changed colour.
At the end of that was a tunnel of light.
Lit-up gifts decorated the trail.
We even saw some lit-up constellations.
And the trees were aglow with different colours...
...with seats...
...and flying sculptures.
A tunnel of love with red glowing sequin hearts was the next part of the trail to walk through.
This led to an illuminated mistletoe.
We are on the top of the hill before the descent, so we could see the beautiful buildings from the top. These were lit up. It gave us a clue of what to expect below.
Down the trail, the forest was carpeted in lights.
Disco balls hung from illuminated blue and red trees...
...with rattan reindeer and foxes aglow...
...and a shiny Rudolph light hanging on the trail above us, his nose lighting the way.
Around the corner were the final "twelve days of Christmas" illuminated.
We kept seeing the glimpses of the buildings through the trees.
With some lights appearing to fall to the ground around us, sparkling silver strands.
The silhouettes of angels were in the windows of a building along the lake.
A little chapel and building were alight along with illuminated water lillies and the illuminated bridge across a lake, the reflectings adding to the beauty. This was set to a light and sound show that changed colour.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic and anxieties caused by it, I enjoyed my visit to Stourhead for its Christmas light display. It has been the highlight of my month.
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