A Festive Family Day Out at The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei

This year’s Christmas adventure was supposed to be simple. We needed to book tickets for The Alnwick Garden Christmas Light Trail. We would wrap up warm. Then, we would let the festive spirit wash over us. Except, of course, I forgot to book early enough. Blame perimenopause, which has been doing a great job of turning my brain into a foggy festive snow globe. By the time I got around to it, our chosen date was sold out.

But we pivoted. And it turned out to be the best pivot ever. Thanks to a 2-for-1 deal, we ended up at both The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei in one go. It felt like the Christmas gods were smiling down on us. At least they were throwing us a discount for my disorganisation.

Lilidorei: not just for kids

Lilidorei was the real surprise of the day. I expected a glorified play park. What we got was a fully immersive, slightly bonkers winter wonderland. Even I couldn’t help but love it. And remember, I am a midlife woman who usually rolls her eyes at such enforced jollity.

“Cyrus took the Christmas passport more seriously than his homework. I was secretly loving the folklore too.”

This year’s theme was genius: a passport to Christmas around the world. We learned about:

• Austria’s Krampus: a goat-demon who punishes naughty children. I may have mentioned he occasionally pops round our house in January too.
• Ukraine’s Christmas Spider: spins webs that turn to gold. Glittering cobwebs are much cheaper than a new set of baubles.
• Catalonia’s Caga Tió: the “pooping log” that children whack with sticks until sweets fall out. Cyrus giggled until he cried.
• Iceland’s Yule Cat: a giant beast who eats anyone who hasn’t received new clothes for Christmas. Finally, an excuse for panic-buying new pyjamas.

Hot dogs, cold coffee

No British day out is complete without the obligatory moment where you stare at the receipt in disbelief. Three hot dogs cost us just over £20. Sadly, they weren’t even vaguely hot. My coffee ended up suspiciously instant. Cyrus didn’t care – he was too busy bonding with the reindeer at Lilidorei. Santa’s grotto was on offer. We gave it a miss though as H’s wallet was already weeping.

“We were out. We were together. No one had yet declared themselves ‘bored’ – a Christmas miracle in itself.”

The real magic

The treehouses were spectacular, even if the staircases were not built with tall people in mind. H whacked his head on a beam. I nearly whacked mine. We both pretended to be brave as we climbed the swaying bridges. Cyrus claimed the view from the top was worth every bump.

Crafting, lavender and light

After so much fun, we were expecting big things at The Alnwick Garden. It was all a little bare, biding its time for the big light switch-on later that afternoon. Rope lights were wrapped lovingly around trees, waiting for darkness to work their magic. Cyrus did get to make a bauble filled with lavender, feathers, and glitter – the kind of wholesome craft moment I imagine we’d have at home. Then, I remembered how much glitter sticks to the sofa.

Verdict: worth the hype

Despite the hot dog debacle, we left feeling like we’d had a proper festive day out. Lilidorei was the star – weird, magical, and just the right amount of education to keep an 8-year-old entertained. It cost £33 for the three of us. Thanks to the 2-for-1 deal, it felt like good value for a whole day of adventure.

Next year, we’ll book the Christmas Light Trail early. Festive magic doesn’t wait. Organised families always seem to get the best slots, and they don’t wait either.