All the fun of Ardingly winter fair and a dazzling light show at Wakehurst Place
t was face mask and sanitiser in handbag as we were off out for an afternoon and early evening visit to Ardingly. The afternoon was spent at the Winter Fair at the South of England Showground.
Tickets purchased before the show enabled us to park with no trouble, even though by the number of cars it was a very popular event and walk into with ease; barcode zapped in and out.
The firm favourites of the event were on offer, Christmas themed stalls helping with the preparations for December 25.
This was definitely a family event and we seemed to be missing out as the number of rides were giving many little ones great fun with the caterpillar Santa train ride, the wonderful horse carousel and many other funfair rides.
Visitors were definitely finding the food on offer and attractions as long queues formed waiting to enter the food hall with stalls offering artisan gins to entice drink lovers, mouth-watering gin liqueurs, homemade jams and chutneys,
Igourmet pies, cheeses, wines and handmade Christmas puddings and chocolates. The food stalls were also popular outside, especially the double-decker black and white bus fish and chip shop.
One of the agricultural barns was used as a covered dining area where a Santa sleigh with deer offered photo opportunities.
We passed the Santa grotto opposite another barn full of independent traders, a unique high street without the big name.
Drop-in chocolate workshops added to the experience and made for very individual gift ideas.
The ice rink was not present this year, but with all the worries of Covid-19 it was just enjoyable to be out and about with everyone keeping to the rules.
Next stop was literally next door, to Wakehurst Place to see Glow Wild.
In its seventh year the event offers a special lantern trail with surprises, and every year seems to be different thanks to new artists and installations.
As the light faded the gardens came to life with glowing lanterns, mesmerising projections, immersive soundscapes and glistening torches of fire.
I was quite green at Wakehurst’s Christmas tree which is said to be UK’s tallest living Christmas tree decorated with 1,800 lights.
Among the favourite installations there are three brand-new artists this year creating installations for Glow Wild 2020.
From Amsterdam’s canals to Wakehurst’s Black Pond award-winning ‘Light a
Wish’ installation; a series of suspended, sparkling dandelion seed heads.
The Winter Garden had magical fungi-lanterns created by graphic artist and sculptor SarahHall-Baqai. And international digital design studio cast their story-telling magic onto the giant canvas of Wakehurst’s Elizabethan Mansion, revealing the secret life of fungi, and illuminates the pinetum with barn owls swooping between trees.