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Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is a hit with visitors young and old this Christmas thanks to its amazing Enchanted Light Trail, which mixes animal and festive magic
For a magical pre-Christmas festive experience for all the family, head to Countryfile star Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. Its Enchanted Light Trail has returned for another year – and is proving as popular as ever for both adults and children.
Where else can you combine a trip to see Santa with petting farmyard animals and eating s’mores beside a fire pit? The highlight is the family-friendly illuminated light trail, all created by local artists and designers. It winds through the farm, passing fairy light-filled barns containing pigs, goats and tiny ducklings.
The accessible, dog-friendly trail also passes a communal seating area where a variety of food vendors offer their wares. Singers entertain adults, while children can toast marshmallows and create s’mores on fire pits.
Nearby there is a superb silent disco, where ravers of all ages don headphones to enjoy festive and pop tunes. There are also lights in the forest to give the trail a magical feel. The trail is open from 4pm until late on the following dates: Nov 29-Dec 1, Dec 6-8, Dec 13-15, Dec 18-23, Dec 28-31. For an extra-special treat book a visit to see Santa, which also includes teddy bear building and gingerbread man workshops.
Santa’s elves put on a superb performance inside the grotto before taking youngsters to see the man himself. Each child who meets Santa gets to choose a free gift afterwards – our boys opted for an art set and box of fidget toys. The trail ends at the farm’s restaurant, which offers a superb choice of festive and regular meals.
You can also choose to stay in one of the farm’s luxury lodges, which all boast private wood-fired hot tubs. Our visit coincided with the arrival of Storm Bert, but even the 50mph winds couldn’t stop us enjoying a dip in the jacuzzi. Our two-bedroom lodge boasted a fully-equipped kitchen and was cosy despite the wild weather outside.
Cotswold Farm Park was opened by Henson’s dad Joe in 1971. The BBC star took over the tenancy in 1999 and now jointly owns the 650-hectare business with college pal Duncan Andrews. Among the variety of unusual breeds who call the estate home are Highland cattle, Manx Longhorn sheep and Soay sheep. The farm, which gets over 180,000 visitors a year, is located in Guiting Power, near Cheltenham.
A campsite has been on the estate for 20 years, and guests can also opt to stay in safari tents. Tickets can be booked directly online.
Adam and his family have long welcomed visitors to their farm and regularly host seasonal events. This autumn the Mirror’s Steve Hughes stopped by to check out a special ‘Pumpkin Nights’ event, held in the field where they grow their harvest of Halloween fruit. The Pumpkin Patch by day is a fun-filled experience, especially for younger kids, with jack-o’-lantern carving and face-painting.
