I got first look at Webbs Christmas Enchanted Gardens light trail and something's different

The Enchanted Gardens at Webbs of Wychbold is one of the hot tickets over Christmas and this year it is taking families down the rabbit hole with an Alice In Wonderland theme. I got a first look at the famed garden centre’s festive light trail and noticed something very different for 2024.

Previous years have focused on Peter Pan and fairytales but this year Webbs has taken inspiration from Lewis Carroll's novels of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. It runs until Sunday January 2 at Webbs’ Riverside Gardens off Junction 5 of the M5.

As soon as you enter, you are whisked away to another world that gets curiouser and curiouser accompanied by large storybooks explaining the story. Hearts appear at every turn, which will be popular with visitors of all ages.

Fake snow drifts create magical wintry scenes and there’s the popular Santa Claus hut finale where elves greet guests and give them a chance for a photo with Father Christmas.

Before that there’s big clocks, signs saying ‘Drink me’, a mad tea party and peculiar characters. And it’s these characters that make it so different this year - far more interactive.

While the stunning lights, visual, sound and theatrical scenes are just as enchanting, I was half way down a light tunnel when I came across a real-life rabbit running late. That was just one of the characters involving actors that help take the The Enchanted Gardens to another level.

Later on, families will come across Alice herself next to the tea party table full of gloriously intricate details and Chinese lanterns lit in vibrant colours. It’s like stepping into the fairytale to hear Alice talk about her adventures and something children will find extra thrilling.

Alice is just before the famous rainbow bridge, for those who have visited before. It’s not so much a rainbow this year as a colourful journey passed a huge stopwatch that makes for a great Instagrammable moment.

There’s plenty of other striking spots you’ll want to snap along the flat route through pretty woodland, which takes around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Among them is the White Rabbit’s House with Alice’s huge legs sticking out the side from when she grew in size and another interactive section where visitors can ask a Cheshire Car projection which way to go.

One of my favourites was the Caterpillar, which is perched high on a mushroom, glowing in the dark with bubbles glistening into the sky around them.

The final section of the story leads to the Queen of Hearts lair. One of the things I like about Webbs is its emphasis on being environmentally-friendly. The festive lights are mainly powered by solar energy and many of the displays are handmade from salvaged materials as a way of leaving a minimal environmental footprint.

The Queen of Hearts may look familiar as a troll from previous years but the decorations have breathed new life into the sculpture for this year and it’s refreshing to see this kind of recycling at major Christmas events.

Although the Strictly Come Dancing-esque glitter ball at the close of the Alice in Wonderland section isn’t as dazzling as last year’s huge pirate ship for Peter Pan. But the Queen’s throne to sit on and tunnels surrounded by a pack of cards are great for selfies.

It’s another magical adventure for Christmas at Webbs with the addition of actors to step up the interaction levels and keep this festive light trail fresh for another year. It really is a wonderland.

Toilets, parking, food and drink at Webbs Enchanted Gardens

There are portable toilet cabins available at the entrance to The Enchanted Gardens in Webbs car park, which has free parking for visitors.

The food area is slightly different this year with a large tippee with picnic tables to eat and drink in and food stalls outside. They range from the Webbs burger van to fried chicken from Stirchley based Yardbirds and waffles and hot chocolate.

A good-sized cheeseburger and fries meal or chicken burger and fries meal with sauce, gherkins and coleslaw are £9.99 each. The naked burger meals without the toppings are £7.99 each. Loaded fries are £5.99 and hot drinks range from £1.99 for tea, coffees for around £3.79 and hot chocolate for £3.89 or a boozy version for £5.19. Mulled wine or cider cost £4.99.

Ticket prices, times and how to find Enchanted Gardens at Webbs

Enchanted Gardens at Webbs of Wychbold can be found along the Worcester Rd, Wychbold, Droitwich, WR9 0DG. It is off Junction 5 of the M5.

It is open until Sunday January 2, 2025, with tickets for timed entry in 10-minute intervals between 4.30pm and 8.30pm.

Webbs has frozen prices for off-peak and standard tickets, but added 50p on to prices at peak times of weekends in December and from Friday December 13 to Monday December 23.

Tickets cost:

Off-peak: £16 adult, £10 child aged three to 16, £50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

Standard: £18 adult, £12 child aged three to 16, £57 family

Peak: £20 adult, £14 child aged three of 16, £65 family

Special events at Webbs Enchanted Gardens festive light trail

There are special slots for children with additional needs on Thursday December 12 but families need to call 01527 860000 to book.

VIP Dining is available in heated tipis. No pre-booking is necessary. There are exclusive VIP hygge igloos that can be pre-booked at the Webbs website.

For tickets visit: webbsevents.co.uk/events/wychbold-the-enchanted-gardens-at-webbs-2024