Cwmbran Life on Tour. Once in a while, we’re allowed to leave the town that has it all.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is 48 miles away- about 59 mins by car. I’ve been there twice in the last seven years and always when on the way back from a trip to England so ‘two birds with one stone’ and all that. Next time you’re around J18 of the M4 look out for the brown tourist sign on the side of the road. I’d seen it loads over the years and curiosity got the better of me a while back and we visited it and had a great time.
There are over 2,500 species of trees on the site so it’s a vital centre for research and conservation. But for me, it’s simply a stunning place to lose a few hours.
We’ve done the long looped walks and the treetop walkway so it was time for something different. The Christmas lights trail was launched last night. Have a sneak peek at the pics below and it’s obvious what it’s all about. Until 31 December, you can walk around a light-filled trail through the woods. The advertising blurb says ‘explore trees from all over the globe in a completely new light’. There are over one million lights used across the route in various themed sections- all bringing the most out of the trees. We had Christmas carols, pop songs and fun medleys all in time with the lights.
Along the walk, there is a food and drink area. We decided to go for a mulled wine to warm ourselves up. The stall was lit up and the wine was on the counter, but it was missing staff to serve us. As we were among the first group to experience the trail we think we just walked too quick and beat the arrival of the staff. So we left and continued with our walk. Towards the end of the trail, we spotted Santa outside his grotto. He stopped the children in front of us for a chat and they loved every second.
We carried on to get into the tunnel of light- the last attraction before you’re back in the fairground area. I hope my photo did it some justice. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream!
Thanks Westonbirt for the free tickets #gifted. And thanks to the Rattlebone Inn (7 min drive from the arboretum) where we visited to avoid the evening rush hour traffic on the M4. We hadn’t reserved but they managed to squeeze us in before any booked guests arrived.
There was a warm (a log fire in the corner of the room), friendly, early Friday evening buzz to the place- it was what I like to call ‘nicely busy’ with people sat around the bar and in the various nooks and crannies chatting and laughing. Lovely food, nice range of local cask ales and some oh ah er um interesting photos on the walls in and around the toilets.
Tickets to Westonbirt’s Christmas lights trail
To buy tickets visit Westonbirt Arobretum’s website.