Christmas at the Magical Woodland

Sarah Gaffney-Lang, Families Editor

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Christmas at the Magical Woodland

Cheshire Outdoors, Cheshire
9-31 December 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Courtesy of Magical Woodland
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Back for another year, Christmas at the Magical Woodland is alive with light – bringing a scintillating display of dazzling installations to Cheshire.

Don your glow sticks and limber up, this outdoor walking experience takes explorers through private woodland on an awe inspiring after-dark trail of discovery.

Weave through impressive sparkly tunnels and enjoy a magical audio and interactive light show. You can expect floating, illuminated umbrella canopies, colourful trees, and rays of shimmering light which dance across a serene lake.

Timed entry is ticketed, but once onsite, you can loop around as many times as you like.

At the heart of the trail is a central refreshment hub – primed for your sustenance needs, with snacks for small tummies and hot drinks to warm you up.

We recommend lots of layers and sturdy shoes as the terrain is reported to be steep and uneven in parts.

Where to go near Christmas at the Magical Woodland

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Located in the scenic Cheshire countryside on the Sandstone Trail, Cheshire Workshops offers candle-making workshops for the whole family.

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