Have you ever been to an enchanted woodland? I hadn’t until very recently, and I have to say that I even forgot how freezing cold it was out there. Such a good idea for an outdoor, winter event. Wanna know a bit more? Then, read on. This is your chance to visit an enchanted woodland. There are some pics and a short video too.

What’s an enchanted woodland anyway? It may sound a bit like an activity for kids, but it is the name given to an evening light and sound event in the gardens of Syon House, the London home of the Duke of Northumberland and his family. It sits in the vast Syon Park, which holds the earliest botanical collection in the country.

I have to admit that Brits really know how to use their heritage, and in a profitable way. You would normally visit a garden during the day time and maybe do a bit of a picnic there. During this event, I could see their collection of more than four hundred trees and other plants in a whole new way with a nice show at the end of the trail.

There were many photo opportunities along the way. Mine aren’t of the greatest quality, but you can get an idea of how the event was. Apologies in advance!

We followed an illuminated trail in the dark which took us to see the different varieties of trees from one of the entrances to the Great Conservatory. The organisers used light to describe and emphasize specific characteristics of those plants. For example, their height or their shapes, those characteristics that might make them unique and beautiful.

Classical music was used at some point along the way in a mini show. We could also hear the sound of the planes going to and from the airport. A bonus, I guess.

In some other cases, they reminded us of fairy tales and myths. We could hear voices coming from the root of the trees. The huge tree on the third of the following three pictures was particularly popular with kids, as its roots lifted.

Technology plays a big role here. The light is the most obvious bit, but we could also use various machines to play with light. For example, this cannon, which was operated by a couple of ordinary switches or this other light display which visitors could manage with their own voice. That is, we could sing or speak for some time and the display would be lit in different ways.

Seen Nessy’s cousins anywhere?

There was some fire too.

Meet the owls.

Two more pictures – towards the end of the trail and the Great Conservatory-, and the very short video.

The Enchanted Woodland is finishing soon. Take a look! Thanks to all of the volunteers who make it possible each year.

Thank you for reading this post. Got any comments? Don’t be shy.

A Londoner from Afar