Ok it was the evening, not a night (a night sounded better). This week I had one of the most surreal experiences I think I’ve ever had when we were invited to visit an enchanted park by the people who transformed Buckingham Palace during the Diamond Jubilee by projecting terraced housing onto it.
This time they’ve worked their magic on Southover Grange Gardens in Lewes, East Sussex, where the 16th Century manor house is the focus of a series of weird and wacky light shows and projections as part of a magical after-dark festive tale.
In one of the displays a huge frog appears on the front of the house (pictured), and then literally hops towards the viewer as though jumping from an upstairs window. In another the house appears to fill with water from the inside and becomes an aquarium, mermaid and all.
Needless to say BB and Little B were transfixed, and I have to say Misery Guts and I were pretty spellbound too. I took a little video so you can see…
In the grounds of the park there were children swimming in the stream, eyes in the garden wall and the plants were lit up with a colourful display of lights which BB couldn’t resist running up and touching. We hadn’t done anything to mark the start of the festive season yet and this was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit as a family.
Tickets (£27 for us as a family of four, which I have to say I think was a bit pricey for the hour we spent there, but then I have no idea how much it costs to stage something like this) are booked in 15 minute slots but once inside the park you’re free to roam around at will for as long as you like.
We went back and forth (the house was our favourite bit) while BB loved making a Christmas wish by sticking a coin to a tree trunk with the help of lantern-clad actors who stage a silent display. Little B just loved everything.
The only annoying thing about the trip was that I found out afterwards I could have had a mug of mulled wine from the cafe’s serving hatch – that would have been just the job as we made our way around the park. Serves me right for not paying attention…
Enchanted Lewes: A Christmas Wish runs from Wednesday December 2 – Sunday December 13 2015 (with the exception of December 7 & 8) between 4.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and 4.30pm and 8.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tickets are £10 for adults, £7 for children (4-16) and children under four are free.For full details including how to get there click here.
We were sent tickets to Southover Grange free of charge in exchange for this review. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.
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WOW what an amazing display. Was it slightly scary? I think my boys would love that, particularly the aquarium. I agree that it is a bit pricey though. #picknmix
It wasn’t scary – there were lots of families wandering around so the atmosphere was quite buoyant!x
Looks fantastic. My little would love this
You should go if you can!
This looks amazing! I generally tend to think that any money spend on one-off ‘arty’ experiences is well worthwhile, just for the sake of doing something a little bit different 🙂
Yes that’s very true – I think BB will definitely remember itx
Woweeee! That’s very different.. Looks kinda eerie but very pretty and unusual. Sounds like you were spellbound! 🙂 #CountryKids
It was a bit eerie but not scary at all x
What a great experience, I bet BB and Little B loved seeing the different parts of the ground turned into the different images. I bet it was truly spellbinding it looks like such amazing experience, so real I’m not surprised BB had to touch it and see if it was real. You’re lucky to have managed to go and explore. Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.
It was such a great family evening outx
What an amazing experience. What a shame I have no free time before it ends. Will it be there again next year do you know? Great video – thanks for sharing.
That is a shame! I don’t know about next year – we’ll have to look out for it!x
That’s amazing, I would love to see something like this #CountryKids
Keep an eye out as you never know they may come near you!
Wow this looks amazing! Love that it’s a bit different 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
That’s one way of putting it!!
Oh wow I love stuff like this!! I’m going to keep an eye out for something more local! #triedtested
It will only be a matter of time I’m sure, it really was a novelty!
It looks amazing, something special and memorable x
It was definitely memorable!
That looks really fun! Might be a bit old for my two, but I’d enjoy it, hehe. #TriedTested
Little B is only 13 months & he loved it!x
My mind was blown by the Jubilee lightshow on the front of Buckingham Palace so I would love to see this. Shame about the mulled wine – I would have been gutted too! #triedtested
It was a really weird but really great experience!
Wow this looks and sounds amazing! US four would a have been fascinated by the whole thing what a great event to go to! My children would have tried touching too, it would be quite real for them wouldn’t it x #whatevertheweather
It was certainly a different way to spend an evening – and a special treat for BB who got to stay up latex
Looks magical. What a special way to spend the evening. #whatevertheweather
Especially in the run up to Christmas!
This looks fantastic! I’ve never seen anyone do that to a house before, what a fantastic idea and no wonder you were all transfixed by it. It does sound quite pricey, but then I’m guessing it costs quite a lot to set up the special effects for the house. Certainly a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and the kids sound like they loved it!
By the way, what do you edit your film on? Need to get to grips with my videos next year!
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Thank you! I use Filmora Wondershare – really easy to use and navigate!x
Wow this looks fantastic!!! It’s such a stunning location, I can imagine just how magical it must’ve been. I hope they do it again next year so we can go 🙂
It’s the last night tomorrow (December 13)x
This is absolutely incredible!!!!! It must have been amazing to see up close. I wish we had something like this happening near us. It looks so enchanting and magical. How creative! Thank you so much for linking to #whatevertheweather xx
I expect it’s only a matter of time before it catches on!