Every year Westonbirt Arboretum lights up a walkway through the trees during the festive season.

The usually tranquil retreat becomes ablaze with colour and music, fairies dart between the trees, branches appear to hover in the sky, bubbles float down from above and flickering colours transform the ancient oaks into works of art.

It is a beautiful way to get into the seasonal swing of things. We grabbed a cup of mulled wine, wrapped Munchkin up in a blanket and set off on the winding trail, stopping to marvel at the shapes and colours we saw along the way.

It’s amazing the effect that darkness and a well-placed spotlight can have. Branches became intricate maps across the sky, tall trunks seemed never-ending, their colours reaching skywards.

At the end of the trail there was a chance to make glittery fir cones, collected that day from the forest, while throughout the walk there are plenty of interactive details for the older children to enjoy.

Munchkin loved the light and the colour, looking, looking all around in wonder, and enjoying the odd pottering under the illuminated oaks.

It was a very special evening.

Enchanted Christmas starts again for the festive season at the end of November, forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-christmas