Andy Howells checks out Wales biggest festive lights trail, Christmas at Bute Park.
Christmas is coming and for many its here already. But, if like me you are growing weary of the excessive commercialism and in-your-face festivities courtesy of neighbours who put the outdoor decorations on just after Hallowe’en and don’t bother taking them down till next Easter, maybe some space and time out is what you need to get the best out of the festive season!
Wales biggest festive lights trail, Christmas at Bute Park is the perfect venue for the family to enjoy. The venue is open until New Years Eve and takes in many magical attractions including a dazzling spectrum of Christmas illuminations, beautiful sculptures and special affects you can almost touch.
Heart-Warming Fire Garden and Immersive Sea Of Light Attractions
The 1.4km route takes in a heart-warming ‘Fire Garden’, an immersive ‘Sea of Light’ installation and for those who need to chase away Jack Frost, food and drink stalls.
My wife and I joined the trail on the opening night, and we were immediately taken with the beautiful light displays highlighting Bute Park’s landscape and transferring us into a world that could have come out of a storybook. The ambient Christmas music that played over the loudspeakers while we undertook the trail provided the perfect chilled soundtrack as we gazed a baubles, light shows, and natural trees that seemed to come to life in the enchanted seasonal atmosphere.
I have to admit to not feeling very seasonal in recent years, but I felt my Christmas At Bute Park experience reawakened much of the magic I felt for Christmas a child, particularly as I walked through the Fire Garden and saw children toasting marshmallows with their parents and wallowed in a beautiful light show with beams bouncing off a silver heart.
Take “Time-Out” with Christmas at Bute Park
At 45 minutes to an hour to walk through, Christmas at Bute Park is a great venue to get away from the commercialism of Christmas, but still enjoy the spirit and festive feelgood factor. A magical experience, I’d suggest it to anyone who needs to take time-out over the Christmas season and I think it would be a lovely event for all the family.
Don’t forget to take some money to buy a drink or to purchase those marshmallows and importantly – don’t forget your camera – there will be lots of magical memories to take away!
- Book tickets for Christmas at Bute Park
- Experience Christmas at Bute Park This Festive season
- Photographs by Andy & Rachel Howells