Yahoo News I went on brilliant dog friendly Surrey Christmas lights trail with marshmallow toasting firepits on route
Windsor Great Park Illuminated has returned for its fourth year, and once again families can expect a spectacular lights display in the depths of a forest. Set within the beautiful woodland next to The Savill Garden in Englefield Green and Virginia Water in west Surrey, I was invited to the launch night of the festive event on Thursday (November 14).
I did the trail last year and loved it, so I had high expectations for this year's event as there were new installations as well as the return of some revitalised favourites. I went along with my mum and 10-month old baby and parked in The Savill Garden car park right next to the entrance which made things convenient.
As tickets are sold as timed entry, there was no huge queues to wait in and there were portable toilets and refreshments at the start of the walk. In fact, there was a fantastic array of food and drink on offer including a cute ski lodge style chalet called The Windsor Tavern selling mulled wine, mulled apple rum, mulled sloe gin and mulled whisky among other hot and cold drinks.
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Walkers could dine inside the charming cabin or grab a festive tipple to takeaway and enjoy along the splendid route. Complete with sparkling Christmas trees, cosy rugs and a firepit station for toasting marshmallows, I could have stayed in the tavern for hours indulging in the festivities and people and dog watching.
For our dinner, mum and I went true German market style and tucked into white alpine sausages with slow cooked potatoes, fried onions, sauerkraut and pickles. Costing £11 each, it was a large portion, very filling and tasted absolutely delicious.
We washed down our satisfying hot meal with a cup of steaming mulled wine (£6.50)- the first one of the year. We also got some churros (£8.50), which were scrumptious.
Smothered in cinnamon sugar and baked fresh in front of us, they came with a dipping pot of melted milk chocolate which was utterly divine. If you didn't fancy food right away, there was another foodie spot half way round the 2.2km (1.36 miles) circuit featuring more amazing firepits for toasting marshmallows.
It was adorable watching youngsters poke sticks though the flames waiting for their treats to go gooey and sticky. Covered in bark and twinkling with fairy lights, the charming refreshment stop was also the place to go for indulgent hot chocolates, delicious crepes and salty chips.
As soon as we entered the trail, our attention was grabbed from the get-go with breathtaking projections and flood-lit fountains in every direction. New this year was a huge light up Windsor sign which gave offered a huge wow factor.
There were lots of new elements which stunned us, plus mesmerising lasers, a field of lights, colourful paths and illuminated wildlife sculptures. It was a magical woodland walk families will certainly love.
Unlike some other Christmas walks I've been on, the lights here were more spread out, so we could enjoy a leisurely woodland jaunt and look forward to the next festive projection.
Also unlike other winter lights walks such as Kew Gardens and RHS Garden Wisley, you could bring your dog so they didn't have to miss out on all the festive fun. There were lots of lovely spots for pictures with enchanting backdrops.
Of course I got a mandatory selfie at the glittery entrance and plenty of family photos along the trail. I would give yourself one and a half hours to complete the route accounting for stops and perhaps another hour to make the most of the bar and fairground rides at the start/finish.
I left the buggy in the car and opted for the sling for my baby as some of the terrain through natural woodland is not the easiest for wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs. But for the most part, it is flat and clean.
My high expectations of this year's Windsor Great Park Illuminated were exceeded. It was even better than last year, lots of fun, and we left feeling happy, festive and with full bellies. It was a magical outdoor experience deep in the enchanting woodland, and we loved every bit of it.
How to book tickets for Windsor Illuminated
Address: Obelisk Lawn, The Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, TW20 0UJ.
Dates: November 15 to January 4, 2025 (closed Christmas Day).
Opening times: 4.30pm (November 15-28) and 4.15pm (November 29-January 4) until 10.30pm with last entry at 8.30pm. Tickets are sold as timed entry, in 15 minute slots.
Closing times: The light trail closes at 10.30pm sharp.
Parking: Car park on site and costs £7.70 per car. Tickets must be booked in advance. Parking is free for members of Windsor Great Park and Friends of The Savill Garden.
Price: Adult super off-peak £19.80 and child (ages 3-15) £12.10. Adult off-peak £22.50 and child £14.85. Adult peak £29.15 and child £18.70. All visitors, including infants two years old and under, must have a valid ticket to gain entry to the light trail.
Book: Visit windsorilluminated.com.
Dogs: On leads welcome.
Facilities: Toilets, fair ground, food and drink outlets.
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