Winter of Wonder features light installations, screenings of The Snowman and science shows
From the Royal Albert Dock’s light trail to Winter Wonderlight at Thornton Manor and the ever-popular Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park, Merseyside isn’t short of a bit of sparkle this Christmas. Festive light trails have popped up all over our region and the wider north west in recent years – and this year, another event has joined the twinkling array of displays.
Winter of Wonder boasts a simply stellar location: at Jodrell Bank, the world-class Cheshire observatory that’s home to the awe-inspiring Lovell telescope. Open for just four days (until December 20), the sold-out event is nowhere near the size of some of its more established competitors, but offers plenty of extra elements that make it worth the journey.
There are only a few light installations to explore, including a tree covered in snaking green and blue tube lights, a path through a rainbow-coloured canopy of branches and, fittingly, a tunnel of stars.
Scattered across accessible paths between the visitor centre and pavilions, the route took us less than 10 minutes to get around. The limited time outdoors was a bit of a relief during Wednesday night’s heavy rain – though you might be disappointed if you came expecting the same scale of production offered by some of its larger rivals.
Included in the ticket price (£17 for adults, £12 for children and under-fours free) are a number of indoor activities that offered respite from the wet weather. Visitors can enjoy The Snowman in the Space Dome, experience the new science show Starlight Spectacular in the Star Pavilion, and admire astronomy exhibitions in the Space Pavilion.
However, be aware that food and drink are not allowed in the cinema screenings, a rule that wasn’t communicated until we reached the door for our allocated slot. It meant we had to ditch our drinks – two barely-touched hot chocolates from the cafe next door – much to my three-year-old daughter’s disappointment.
The enchantment of the Raymond Briggs Christmas classic soon lifted her spirits. She was also thrilled to dress up as an astronaut and ‘walk on the moon’ in the nearby dress-up area. We didn’t stay for the science show as it was getting a bit late by the time we emerged from the screening.
We did venture back into the rain for a brief stroll along the telescope pathway to admire the Lovell telescope before heading home. It’s a shame this majestic feat of engineering wasn’t illuminated with projections as it is during Bluedot, the summer music festival held here, and that there were no lights guiding the way to it. If the event makes a comeback next year, it would be fantastic to see the illuminations spread across more of this stunning site.
For those seeking a full-on festive lights trail spectacle, you may find other regional events provide better bang for your buck. However, if you’re keen to explore the observatory, Winter of Wonder serves as a brilliant incentive to visit after dark and experience this remarkable location in a different light – all for just a few pounds more than the regular ticket price.
If you didn’t manage to get tickets, Jodrell Bank welcomes visitors during daylight hours from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. General admission is priced at £14 for adults, £10 for children, while under-fours enter free of charge. Family tickets start from £33. The observatory also runs a series of events including a winter film season with tickets starting from £7. Visit jodrellbank.net for more information.
