The Magical Woodland, Northwich – Christmas Light Trail Review
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
If you’re looking for a festive family day out that’s toddler-friendly and full of magic, The Magical Woodland in Northwich is well worth adding to your Christmas calendar.
We visited this immersive light trail with our little one and were genuinely impressed by how family-focused and stress-free it was compared to some of the bigger, busier trails we’ve done. Here’s everything you need to know before you go…
What is The Magical Woodland?
The Magical Woodland is a seasonal light trail set deep in the heart of Cheshire woodland. It runs at different times throughout the year, with the Christmas edition being one of the most popular – and for good reason!
Think tunnels of twinkling lights, giant glowing displays, interactive pathways, and festive music drifting through the trees – all designed to create a truly magical atmosphere as you wander through the forest. It’s flat, easy to navigate, and perfect for families with young children.
Where is The Magical Woodland?
You’ll find The Magical Woodland near Northwich, Cheshire, at:
Blakemere Craft Centre, Chester Rd, Northwich, CW8 2EB
There’s free parking on-site and plenty of signs to point you in the right direction once you arrive.
Our Experience at The Magical Woodland
We booked an early evening slot to avoid a late bedtime meltdown (highly recommend!) and it worked perfectly. The trail takes around 60 to 90 minutes, depending on how often you stop to take in the displays — and let’s face it, with a toddler, that’s pretty often!
The trail is packed with glowing tunnels, enormous illuminated trees, and interactive sections where little ones can run along colour-changing pathways. Our daughter was absolutely mesmerised — and we loved that it didn’t feel overcrowded, so we could explore at our own pace.
We did hit a bit of a bottleneck near the start by the Whoville village where you’ll find The Grinch and Cindy Lou. But honestly? It was totally worth the wait — they were brilliant and had everyone giggling.
There are also characters dotted throughout the trail — we spotted Tinkerbell on Captain Hook’s ship and there’s even a Santa Show running at various times during the evening, which completely captivated the kids.
💡 Tip: Don’t forget to bring your letters to post for Santa – there’s a special post box along the trail!
Facilities and Food
At the start and end of the trail, you’ll find food stalls selling hot drinks, pizzas, burgers and festive treats. We couldn’t resist the marshmallow-on-a-stick option — especially with the huge enclosed fire pit for toasting them.
Toilets and baby-changing facilities are available on-site, which made life easier with little ones in tow.
Is The Magical Woodland Worth It?
For us, it’s a big yes! It’s a lovely, relaxed alternative to some of the bigger light trails, and ideal for families with young children. The ticket price felt fair for what’s included, and being based in Cheshire, it’s such a convenient festive day out.
In all honesty, of the three light trails we’ve done — Bolesworth, Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park, and The Magical Woodland — the lights here are definitely the best. You can take your time and really soak it all in, and we noticed plenty of adults there without children too, so it’s definitely not just for little ones! You can read my blog on Christmas at Bolesworth here.
That said, both Bolesworth and Knowsley have fairground rides, so you can easily spend longer at those if rides are a must for your family. It really depends on what you’re looking for — for us, Magical Woodland was perfect for that slower, twinkly Christmas magic, especially with a toddler.
Would we go again? Absolutely — especially while our little ones are still in that wide-eyed, easily-impressed stage.
Need to Know: The Magical Woodland
Location: Northwich, Cheshire
Suitable for: All ages, toddler-friendly, pram-accessible
Parking: Free on-site
Toilets: Yes, with baby-changing
Tickets: Prices vary by date – book in advance
Footwear: Wellies or sturdy shoes are a must
Looking for more Christmas inspiration? See my blog posts below:
Farmer Ted’s Christmas Experience – A Festive Day Out Near Liverpool
Farmer Ted’s Christmas Experience – A Festive Day Out Near Liverpool Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. If you’re looking for a Christmas day out near Liverpool that’s full…
Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park – A Budget-Friendly Christmas Light Trail
Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park – A Budget-Friendly Christmas Light Trail Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Being Liverpool-based, a visit to Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park has become…
Bolesworth Castle Christmas: A Magical Family Day Out
Bolesworth Castle Christmas: A Magical Family Day Out Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Just a short drive from Chester and Wrexham, Christmas at Bolesworth transforms the stunning Bolesworth…