GLOWING lanterns of lions, giraffes, gorillas and more, are on show at Longleat this month as part of the attraction’s Festival of Light.

Celebrating the safari park’s 50th anniversary, visitors are transported into a magical world of adventure, not knowing quite what they may stumble upon next.

Hundreds of giant animal lanterns commemorate the park’s first residents back in 1966 and are part of numerous displays in the grounds - with penguins, monkeys, rhinos and so many more.

With 2016 also marking 150 years of Beatrix Potter, there is a special tribute to her stories and characters with a chance to explore Mr McGregor’s special illuminated garden among the attractions.

Meanwhile Longleat House has been transformed into an Edwardian Christmas with lavish displays inside, and there’s also the chance to experience augmented reality. Need an explanation? I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun of finding out.

The festival becomes festive with its Christmas Tree show - a singing Christmas tree in superb voice and three-dimensional effects played out behind. All that is without a mention of the safari park itself (which has a last-entry time of 2.30pm).

The lanterns are switched on at 4pm and if you have a twilight ticket, there are still opportunities to see some real animals - we watched the feeding time for a Nile monitor Lizard, saw fearless folk from afar holding a python, heard the screeches of a macaw, attempted to make a pair of sleepy kookaburras laugh and chatted to some chipmunks.

The Festival of Longleat is on daily until January 2 (excluding Christmas Day) from 10am to 7.30pm.

For more details visit longleat.co.uk 

Review by Elizabeth Kemble