WALKING along the magical light trail at Kew Gardens, I struggled to speak, save for a constant stream of dramatic “wows”.
I’ve lived in London for just over ten years, and I’ve been desperate to experience Christmas at Kew.
So it was fitting that in its tenth year, my London festive wish came true.
And wow, just wow – it was worth the decade-long wait.
It’s no secret among my friends and family that I love Christmas, all of it!
And the festive fun here, exceeded my high expectations.
Walking through a turnstile to images of snowflakes projected on to a walkway immediately transports you to festive heaven.
Little huts selling mulled wine, hot dogs roasted on an open fire and mac ‘n’ cheese served on hash browns (a carb lover’s dream) line the entrance, while inside a fairytale wonderland awaits.
Bellies full and hands warmed by hot chocolate drinks laced with whisky, we set off along the sparkling trail.
The first kilometre was just the warm-up, it turns out.
Twinkling lights that leave the ground glittering, birds floating through the trees and a Santa installation perched high above the walkway were only a beautiful introduction to what came next.
After a group photo with Santa, we couldn’t help but have a go on the fairground rides – it was the first time in years that me and my 30-something-year-old friends had ridden a carousel and it left us giggling uncontrollably.
Then it was on to even more magical installations and a curtain of sparkling lights.
We weaved our way through golden bulbs dangling from magnificent tree branches while Somewhere In My Memory from the Home Alone soundtrack played merrily in the background.
It was so magical that every crowd passing through had been stunned into silence.
Of course, it’s not Christmas without a tree and the trail features one of the brightest trees I’ve ever seen, sparkling in different colours to Andy Williams’ Christmas classic, It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (I couldn’t agree more, Andy!).
It was the stunning finale that blew me away though.
Combining two of my greatest loves, Christmas and Disney, the spectacular light display in front of Kew’s Palm House is accompanied by the blockbuster tune from Frozen, Let It Go – a song that kids and adults alike can sing along to.
I challenge even the grumpiest of Scrooges not to find joy and their own wow moments at Christmas at Kew.
- lThe event runs until January 8 and tickets cost from £21.50 off-peak and £28 at peak times, visit kew.org.
