This spectacular winter light trail might be the UK’s best - and it’s just one hour from Shrewsbury

Chester Zoo’s festive light trail has returned - and it’s the most magical I’ve seen.

This week has seen the return of Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo, a captivating winter wonderland featuring illuminated animal puppets and sparkling light installations.

Driving an hour after work to visit Chester Zoo without the prospect of seeing a giraffe (or in fact, any animals at all) didn’t exactly fill me with excitement.

And tired after several winters of posing in freezing cold crowd-filled light tunnels at various parks and gardens around the country, it’s safe to say I wasn’t an enthusiastic pair of hands for coverage of the 2026 Lanterns and Light’s preview night.

But, approximately two minutes after my barcode was scanned, I was stood - captivated - underneath a canopy of stunning illuminated jellyfish, leading me along a path with luminous dancing dolphin puppets.

My goodness, did this leopard soon change her spots.

There’s rainbow arches and twinkling tunnels and a timber walkway illuminated with candy canes and multicoloured stars soundtracked by Let it Go and Walking in the Air and Shaking Stevens and carols and an orchestral version of the Bare Necessities.

Rounding the corner from Santa’s grotto, we were met by an adorable pair of glowing red panda puppets that had captivated a large audience of children.

The puppets, which also include a seven-foot-tall parrot, penguin and giant polar bear are remarkably beautiful and brought to life by talented performers guaranteed to warm your frost-nipped cockles.

But, if wholesome-ness isn’t warming enough, there’s a festive-themed food village selling everything from mulled wine, cider and hot chocolate to brie and bacon pizza and festive bratwursts.

(I recommend the surprisingly tasty and hearty portion of the topped chicken tenders, which are served with fries, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pigs in blankets and gravy for £11.95.)

From the beautifully choreographed light displays to the larger-than-life puppets and the soundtrack of festive favourites, Lanterns and Light feels less like another Christmas light trail and more like stepping into a completely different world.

I came expecting to spend an hour politely admiring some pretty lights and wondering where the animals were. But I found myself, on more than a few occasions, grinning and gasping like a child and wishing I could immediately do it all over again.

So, if you're looking for a festive family outing this winter, Chester Zoo's Lanterns and Light deserves a place firmly on your Christmas calendar.

The trail runs from November 13 to January 3. Tickets are £27.50 for adults and £19.50 for children, but all tickets are £12 for timeslots after 6.30pm in November.