Yorkshire pudding wraps and boozy hot chocolates are just some of the festive treats on offer at an incredible new lantern trail.
In case you haven’t heard, Land of Lights has now opened at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and it’s transformed the much-loved North West theme park into an immersive winter wonderland for the Christmas season – with 12 “vivid dreamworlds” full of dozens of gigantic lanterns inspired by animals, mega monuments, and wonders of the natural world to marvel at.
As the sun goes down and the nights draw in, visitors are now able to explore an amazing array of light installations as they walk all around the park.
More than 7,000 individual lanterns and hundreds of thousands of LED lights create the spectacle.
Having been already enchanting families since it opened at few weeks back now, Land of Lights is a first-of-its-kind attraction for the area, and it’s arrived in Warrington after it was held for the first time ever at Gulliver’s Land down in Milton Keynes last year, and proved to be a smash-hit success that was visited by thousands.
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The award-winning work of the Zigong Lantern Group – with more than 100 people involved in the production process, and it taking six months to design, manufacture, and artistically finish – Land of Lights seems to already be garnering rave reviews.
But those aren’t just down to all the show-stopping lanterns and light installations.
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That’s because visitors also have the chance to tuck into a feast of festive-themed street food and drinks all throughout the festival too.
Yorkshire Pudding Wraps at Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World. Credit: The Manc GroupToasted marshmallows at Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World
As you make your way around the illuminated park, you can grab everything from freshly-made and generously-filled Yorkshire pudding wraps, and an impressive selection of handmade churros, to authentic German sausages and bratwursts, and a winter-warming lineup of tipples and soft drinks like mulled wine, beer, and boozy hot chocolates.
Not only that, but there’s also Lagado’s Restaurant & Grill located on site too, which offers up a wide range of sit-down meal options inside its warm restaurant on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the festival.
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As we mentioned, the event looks to have been proving pretty popular in the short time since it’s opened, with positive reviews coming in thick and fast.
One glowing review reads: “We visited Land of Lights at Gulliver’s world, I have to say it’s breathtaking, much more than what I imagined, well worth the money, definitely recommended.
“Like stepping into a fairy tale, it’s an amazing experience. You have hot food and drink, different gadget shops during the trail, it’s an instant stress relief after a bad day. Parking is free.”
Land of Lights is now open at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and is running right through to 25 February 2024 – with tickets already on sale and prices starting from only £12.
Top Manchester attraction Museum of Illusions has been transformed by spooky Halloween surprises
Daisy Jackson
A spooky new Halloween experience has arrived at Manchester’s Museum of Illusions, and it’s perfect for half term.
The top attraction is getting a spooky makeover, with strange surprises, mind-bending tricks and plenty of photo opportunities taking over this October.
Running until Sunday 1 November, Weird Wonders is transforming some of the museum’s best-loved exhibits into a Halloween-inspired experience, making it a fun option for families, friends and anyone looking to get into the spooky spirit.
And with the whole experience taking place indoors on Market Street, it’s a dream option for those unpredictable Manchester autumn days when the weather has other plans, and a perfect spot to fill a day of the half term holidays..
Five of the attraction’s most popular exhibits are getting a Halloween transformation, giving visitors even more reasons to question what they’re seeing, strike a pose and get some seriously strange photos along the way.
Among the spooky highlights is the Bone Throne, where visitors can take their seat on a suitably eerie chair that warps your perspective, while the Spider Clone Table promises a creepy twist on one of the museum’s classic illusions.
There’s also the Web of Faces, where a giant kaleidoscope multiplies your face (now with added cobwebs), alongside the Echo Cave, offering another opportunity to step into a world where your senses can be deceived.
And the museum’s Hollow Faces experience features 3D-printed faces inspired by Einstein, Frankenstein and Count Dracula – bringing together science, classic horror and a little optical trickery.
Halloween at the Museum of Illusions. Credit: The Manc Group
There’s more to Weird Wonders than spooky photo opportunities, too.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Halloween without a few treats. Every child ticket holder will receive a complimentary brain puzzle from the Illusion Shop, plus a sweet treat to take home at the end of their visit.
Adults haven’t been forgotten either, with a free treat available when purchasing two adult tickets.
Weird Wonders is running at the Museum of Illusions Manchester from 3 October to 1 November 2026.
Tickets and further information are available HERE.
Science and Industry Museum announces programme of FREE ‘spooktacular’ October half term activities
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s best museums has announced a programme of free ‘spooktacular science’ activities for October half term.
With half term right around the corner and Halloween not far off either, it won’t be long before parents and carers are looking for ways to keep little Mancs occupied… luckily, the Science and Industry Museum has got you covered.
With only a few weeks to go until schools in Greater Manchester are out for October half term, the massively popular museum in the heart of Manchester city centre has unveiled a jam-packed lineup of free events.
Families are being told to get ready for ‘spooktacular’ science, hands-on activities, and loads of interactive fun, all inspired by the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition.
You can storyboard and then animate your own extra-terrestrial character inside the Animation Studio, let your imagination run wild and design your own alien species, or even go on a galactic treasure hunt around the museum and build your own interstellar spaceship with a giant rocket building kit.
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum has announced a programme of free ‘spooktacular’ October half term activities / Credit: Science Museum Group
In the mornings, you can take a break from your cosmic adventures and enjoy family-friendly sci-fi screenings in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also then be able to put your skills to the test with classic space-themed games on the big screen every day in the afternoon.
And don’t forget, this half term is your only chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster who’ll be popping up in the Upper Yard as part of the annual Halloween in the City MCR Monsters trail.
If you’re planning on visiting on actual Halloween day itself, then the museum is inviting you to come dressed in your best costume so you can get properly stuck into all the spooky fun.
The unveiling of the October half term events programme comes after the museum also announced that its popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event would be returning for one night only later this month, also with a Halloween twist.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions. Find out more here.
Science and Industry Museum’s October Half Term Programme is running from 24 October to 1 November. Entry to the museum (except the exhibitions) is free of charge, but it’s advised that you book your admission in advance, as it’s expected to be busier than normal.
Emily Sergeant -
4th December 2023 
