What is it about light shows? We grow out of candy floss and Teletubbies, but oh, the magic of colored lights dancing in gardens, or sweeping the sky, grabs the attention of young and old. It’s a universal language, needing no translation, and available to almost all.
Christmas, or any equivalent, gives birth to the very best light shows, and encourages a favorite night-time game. Driving through villages becomes a treasure hunt for window and garden displays involving everything from welcoming signs to stars, angel wings to reindeer.
And then there’s RHS Wisley! My visit was timed for early December 2023, which turned out to be a rainy night, and yet the queue just to get to the car park from the motorway was crawling; always a good sign that something truly special is unfolding.
And so it was. Let the photos tell the story….
Spot the waterfall:
Adding to the excitement, an enthralling water opera, capped off with timely, but unexpected, bursts of great fire eruptions. I watched that show twice, and still wanted more, despite having already been mesmerized by a sky-reaching light-beam show earlier in the garden. The snapshot below barely begins to service the splendor of this operatic display.
Throughout the garden were clever uses of design and lighting, showcasing plants in a different way. In many cases it highlighted the form of the trees, showing beauty in shapes we wouldn’t normally rate.
Look closer: the ‘tree’ below is formed of over a hundred plants:
Of course, as in any well-designed attraction, there are places to indulge in simple fun.
RHS Wisley, Surrey, is open to the public all year round, and has not just fabulous gardens, but also learning opportunities, scientific research, and the delight of guides to assist your exploration of this national treasure. The paths are surfaced for ease, and there’s lots of space for play. On the night I visited, a group of wheel-chair users were enjoying that they could visit every aspect without concession.
RHS Wisley’s website is a great place to find out what shows they have coming up; I understand that it pays to book ahead for many of them.
Reluctantly leaving the gardens, via the terrific sale area of plants and all things gardening, turned out to be an adventure in itself. I am fairly antagonistic towards the inevitable exit shop at attractions, but RHS Wisley’s has a wonderful point of difference which drew me in. From gifts to practical tools, kids books to garden art, there was enough to make me regret the need to pack light for my flight home.
Looking back, the vision of RHS Wisley from the car park completed the story beautifully.
Light shows are indeed magical, but I urge you, when you get the chance, put a wintery evening aside to take in the stellar world that is RHS Wisley!
Stories for you - Enjoy! 