Review: Twig or Treat at The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade*

[Ad-gifted] If you’re looking for a Halloween experience that’s more magical than spooky, BeWILDerwood Cheshire‘s “Twig or Treat at The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade” is the perfect family-friendly event. Libby Dallimore reviews.

Forget about the usual frights of Halloween – this enchanting evening trail, open on selected evenings from Oct 12 – 3 Nov, offers a whimsical twist on Halloween that’s ideal for younger children – and their whimsy-loving grown-ups.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was going to be an event full of fun and wonder. Unlike traditional Halloween events, there’s no focus on ghosts or ghouls, instead, we were immersed in a world of light, magic, and BeWILDerwood’s signature charm.

The trail begins with a visit to the storyteller stage where we met Leaflette, who shared the mischievous tale of Snagglefang the Bat, who’s been stealing everyone’s treats! This playful story set the tone perfectly for what was to come.

As we ventured into the beautifully lit forest, we encountered various characters from the tale, where at each incredibly designed door or house we stumbled upon we had to shout “Twig or Treat!” which would lead to an interaction with one of the characters from the story.

Our 11-year-old, Seb, had a hilarious moment with Thornyclod the spider, proving that while the event is aimed at younger children, older ones can still find joy in the interactive encounters. Margot, our 7-year-old, was mesmerised from start to finish – it was like she was in her own magical world, making the experience a perfect fit for her. Having never visited BeWILDerwood before, we were also blown away by the woodland setting and can’t wait to return in daylight to explore the adventure play areas that are closed on the evenings of the event.

Along the trail, the twinkling lights, sparkly installations, smoke bubbles and more really bring the whole experience to life, captivating both the children and adults alike. And when little legs start to get tired, there’s a picnic area with a cafe and food vendors making it the perfect place to warm up with a hot chocolate before continuing on.

The event itself only lasts around 1.5hours with arrival slots from 5:30pm – 7:30pm so it’s not too long for younger visitors. The route is nice and flat too making it accessible and easy to navigate for everyone. As you go through the trail in sections, it did break the flow a little bit, it would be nice to be able to explore freely, but this means that the surprises don’t get spoiled and each interaction feels more personal.

Ultimately, the whole event felt thoughtfully designed to bring out smiles rather than screams. The mix of twinkly lights, sparkly paths and friendly characters really elevated the experience and I can easily see how this would be an amazing introduction to Halloween for toddlers, especially those who might be a bit too young for the scarier side of the holiday.

The atmosphere was delightful, and the emphasis on fun, rather than fear, made it a perfect evening. And don’t worry, Snagglefang the bat left enough treats for everyone which means that little Twig or Treaters leave with a little packet of Skittles.

Book early – this magical experience is sure to fill up fast!

@yeahlifestyle

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♬ Paradise – Ben Fox

How long is Twig or Treat at The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade – BeWILDerwood Cheshire?

The event runs on select evenings from Saturday 12 October and runs until Sunday 3 November. Arrival slots are from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Where is BeWILDerwood?

BeWILDerwood Cheshire
Bickley Moss
Whitchurch
Cheshire
SY13 4JF

How Much Is The Entry Fee?

The event is free for children under 92cm, wheelchair users and carers.

Tickets for those between 92cm – 105cm cost £14.50. For anyone over 105cm, tickets cost £14.50. For BeWILDerwood membership holders, tickets are priced at £12.30.

How do I book?

For tickets, visit the website here.

FAQ

• Each child will receive 1 x 18g bag of Skittles at the end of the event. See ingredients & allergens information.
• Don’t forget to wear a spooooky costume! You could dress up as a nice witch, a BeWILDerbat, a creepy crawly or even a Crocklebog.
• Please ensure you wear suitable, comfy footwear and wrap up warm. The trail is all outdoors, and it is Autumn after all! If it’s due to rain, then it is recommend to wear wellies and waterproofs. There is very minimal undercover space, and the route may have puddles.
• The Halloween experience will last approximately 1.5 hours.
• The event is spooky, not scary so it’s suitable for the whole family.
• The Twig or Treat Tales show will be approx. 10 minutes and is suitable for all ages.
• Hot food and drinks will be available to purchase between 6pm – 7:30pm
• The play structures within the park will be closed during this event.

Review by: Libby Dallimore

You may also want to read this:

Family Day Out at BeWILDerwood in Cheshire

Halloween Themed Presents and Gift Ideas

Review of Halloween at Blackpool Tower Dungeon and The Fifth Floor

Review: Pumpkin Fest at Lower Drayton Farm

*We were provided with tickets in return for a blog feature. All opinions are our own.  Some photos have been provided to us by BeWILDerwood.