Spectacle is a wonderland Lights create magic in grounds of castle
THERE isn’t a rabbit hole to explore, but just about every other element of Alice in Wonderland has been recreated in glorious technicolour at this year’s breath-taking Spectacle of Light.
Wander through at Sudeley Castle’s gardens, lit up by all the colours of the rainbow as illuminated trails take you through the Winchcombe castle’s historic grounds to one wonder after another.
You can meet Wonderland characters such as the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter, who mingle with visitors through the displays, that include a field of Moroccan lanterns in front of castle walls, lit up in ever-changing colours.
There’s a vast field of 850 bright red poppy lights surrounding the castle’s chapel, in memory of Armistice Day, disco balls hanging in trees with lights to make them come alive, and a walkway created by two rows of giant red tulips.
One of the most magical sights is an enormous half moon sitting in the middle of a lake with the Tudor castle that once welcomed Elizabeth I, in the background. And look out for surprises, including a Cheshire Cat that magically appears and disappears from the branches of a huge tree along one of the paths.
There’s also a light display on the walls of the ruins of the tithe barn and on the long pond, with fountains playing, a dry ice display and rousing music to get you in the mood.
The trail ends at the fountain rose gardens, all lit up with hundreds of sparkling, yellow lights, with displays from the Wonderland story, including flamingo polo sticks, red roses and playing card pages.
The trail route should take around an hour and a half to complete, with stopoffs on the castle terrace, where there are stalls selling hot food and drinks, and the castle shop will also be open for gift buying.
More than 10,000 LEDS, 300 metres of festoon lights and seven sound systems have been incorporated into the spectacle, designed by Cheltenhambased event producer Nic Beeby, and is expected to welcome thousands of visitors over the next three weeks.
Tickets cost £15.75 for adults and £9.90 for children. You can also buy them at the gate, subject to availability, or from everymantheatre.org.uk/mshows/genre/spectacle-of-light/1/
The Spectacle of Light runs until December 30.