Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
'I liked the way they lit up the waterfall'
It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . when the Christmas at the Botanics light show returns. And this year it feels like there is more light to this light show than ever.
Along with the now firm favourite of the tunnel of light, there are new installations, including the Meadow of Light, a mesmerising hillside of twinkling colours which you meander through, and the Sea of Light, with swirls of colour and sparkle twisting through the trees.
Throw in the digital rain, the fireflies and the fire garden and there is quite a lot of mindfulness in this year’s spectacular, which provides a rather nice oasis of calm in all the frantic run-up to Christmas. Even just looking up at the trees, and seeing their wonderful twisted shapes quite literally in a different light is very calming.
Both my two liked the Reflections best, a pond and waterfall lit by sparkling lights and spent ages leaning on the bridge watching them. My son said: “I liked the pond best. I liked the look of it, I liked the way they did the lights, I liked the way they lit up the waterfall in the background. I didn’t like the music though.”
Organisers say the route takes around 90 minutes – we took just less than two hours but we did stop for food (although we didn’t queue up for a selfie in the Christmas baubles). Underfoot it’s tarmacked path or artificial grass, and fine for buggies. There is a wee bit uphill through the Meadow of Light but my two didn’t seem to notice it (or at least they didn’t complain).
Christmas is marked with the light projections on one of the building and Santa’s cheery appearance at the end of the trail but most of the displays aren’t linked particularly Christmas-themed, which is a plus ppint if you’re planning on going at the end of December or the beginning of January when tinsel and wrapping paper can feel a bit jaded.
There are toilets and food stops – we stopped for hot dogs (£7 but very large and meaty) and fries (£3.90) by which point we’d already passed the waffles stall and the marshmallow pits with promises to return. Thankfully by the time we finished the trail, everyone was too cold to go back so we had hot chocolate back in the John Hope Gateway and a mooch in the shop (me) and a read of the information boards (them).
We’ve been to Christmas at the Botanics every year and I can genuinely say I think this year is the best yet.
*Selected dates until January 2, pre-booking essential, time slots apply – 4.15pm/4.45pm-8pm. Trail closes at 10pm. Tickets advance (on the day): adult £20 (£22); child (4-16) £14 (£16); family £66 (£74); under threes free but tickets must be booked in advance. For more information visit the Botanics website