TRAVEL TEST

WHAT AND WHERE:

Alton Towers Resort’s festive celebrations with Europe’s largest light festival, Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland.

The Staffordshire theme park’s Christmas market is free. Festive Day Out tickets (which include some rides) from £16pp. Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland from £20pp. Car parking charges apply. Until January 2. altontowers.com

EXPERIENCE: That fuzzy Christmas feeling suddenly hits when you see the park’s iconic Tower Street transformed into a winter wonderland with fairylit wooden huts. We began by stocking up on gifts from crafts and candles, to scarves, hats and Christmas decorations.

There’s a huge range of festive food on offer such as Bratwurst, as well as hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Gangsta Granny, Hex and Cbeebies’ rides are in operation, as well as a special Garden

Lights Walk. There is also live entertainment including a hilarious panto-style take on the 12 Days of Christmas.

As darkness fell, we ventured into the park to experience Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland, an immersive journey through the four seasons.

Starting with winter, we followed the 2.3km route past snow globes, Christmas trees, polar bears and penguins.

Spring is filled with heartshaped lanterns for Valentine’s Day, eggs and bunnies for Easter, and even a menagerie of wild animals. Deckchairs, beach balls and flip-flops represent summer, before things turn autumnal with pumpkins, black cats and haunted houses.

The big finale is a mesmerising water show over the park’s vast lake.

QUIBBLES: Big thrillseeker rides such as Rita, Oblivion and Smiler are closed for winter.

VERDICT: A great value festive day out.

9/10