Disclosure: We attended the opening night of Lanterns of the Wild at Twycross Zoo as press and were given fast-queue entry. We paid for our own tickets when we visited last year. All opinions are based on our family’s experience.
In this Twycross Zoo Lanterns of the Wild review, I’m sharing our family’s second visit, from the beautiful animal displays and favourite storybook characters to food, accessibility and practical tips.
“It’s just so beautiful, Mummy, I absolutely love it here.”
I overheard a little girl say this while sitting on her dad’s shoulders beside me, looking at the horses in the Wild West display. I wish someone had recorded my reaction because she had just captured how we all felt about our evening at Twycross Zoo’s Lanterns of the Wild.
We visited on opening night with our three children, having enjoyed the trail last year as paying guests. This time we were invited along as press, and I was interested to see whether a second visit would feel just as special.
By the end of the evening, I was asking the children whether they would want me to buy tickets again next year. All three said they would happily return for a third visit, provided there was something a little different to discover each time. That probably tells you quite a lot!
Arriving at Twycross Zoo
We arrived at around 3 pm, a little later than we had originally planned. The idea had been to wander around the zoo before our evening visit, but our morning activities ran over, so we didn’t manage that part of the day.
It was very foggy when we arrived, which meant taking things steadily on the journey. Parking, however, was straightforward. We have visited Twycross many times over the years and have never struggled to find a parking space, no matter what time we arrived.
We had also hoped to go on the Viewing Wheel, but with so much fog there wouldn’t have been much of a view, so we decided to leave that for another time.
Dinner at The View before the trail
Our plan was to eat at The View before heading out to see the lanterns. We have eaten there before and enjoyed it, and sitting down for a meal was a lovely way to warm up before spending the evening outside.
The children all chose pizza with a side of garlic bread. I had the wild mushroom risotto with garlic bread, while Simon went for a loaded Yorkshire pudding with pulled pork, apple sauce, stuffing, gravy and chips. It was delicious!
Then Lillie sneakily paid for the whole family’s meal as a thank you for the fun things we had planned that weekend. Such a lovely surprise, and a moment I will remember alongside the lights themselves.
We had already checked out the dessert options in the food village before dinner, too. There was a clear plan involving hot churros and cookies after the trail!
Our first impressions of the lantern trail
We started the trail at 5 pm, using the fast queue entry provided for press. The standard queue looked busy, but not ridiculously so. I can’t comment on how quickly it moved because we didn’t use it ourselves.
Having visited last year, we immediately recognised that we were starting at what had previously been the end of the trail and following the route in reverse.
The first section was busy, so we found it easier to hang back a little and let other groups move ahead. This gave us more space to enjoy the displays. As we continued, people naturally spread out, with some stopping longer at particular lanterns and others moving on.
There was no need to rush. Taking a little extra time at the beginning helped us settle into our own pace for the rest of the walk.
Animal lanterns, landscapes and a little family humour
The mile-long trail took us through illuminated animals, landscapes and seascapes, with displays thoughtfully arranged in different habitats and poses. It’s the way everything is put together that makes it so enjoyable: you find yourself stopping to look properly, rather than simply walking past a row of lights.
It reminded me of childhood trips to Skegness or London to “see the lights”. We went because they were pretty and it was exciting to be out looking at them together. These lantern displays take that feeling to another level, but there is something familiar about the pleasure of simply wandering around and enjoying them as a family.
There were several new displays compared with our previous visit. The Indian Temple was one of our favourites, along with the volcano, although Simon may have enjoyed that one for slightly different reasons.
“Tonight Matthew, I’m going to be…” he declared, in the style of Stars in Their Eyes with Matthew Kelly.
He and another lady found this hilarious. The children were rather less impressed. Apparently, some references are wasted on the younger generation!
The Gruffalo and Stick Man lanterns
The Julia Donaldson displays were beautiful and brought something extra to the evening, particularly for younger visitors.
We loved the sleeping Gruffalo and Gruffalo’s Child, along with Stick Man and his family, including the scene of him pushing his son on a sledge.
Several times, I commented on how lovely it was to hear the little children responding to the displays. They enjoyed the animals and landscapes, but recognising characters from their favourite stories prompted a different kind of excitement. These were characters they knew, brought to life in front of them.
If your children love The Gruffalo or Stick Man, I think this part of the trail will be particularly special for them.
Our request for a future visit? We would love to see The Snail and the Whale or The Smartest Giant in Town!
Walking the route and getting around
We spent approximately 90 minutes walking the mile-long trail, taking our time to stop and enjoy the displays.
We found the route easy to walk and level, with no big muddy puddles on our visit. We saw families using pushchairs, along with visitors using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
With so many people absorbed in the lights, it helped to be aware of those around us, particularly when stopping. We moved to one side whenever we wanted a longer look or a photograph, allowing others to pass comfortably.
There were places around the trail to stop for food, drinks and toilets. Having eaten beforehand, we kept going, with the promise of dessert waiting at the end.
SEN-friendly evenings at Lanterns of the Wild
If a busy trail feels a little overwhelming for someone in your family, Twycross Zoo also offers dedicated SEN-friendly evenings for children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities.
Although we attended the opening night rather than a SEN session, I wanted to include this option for families who would prefer a calmer visit. According to Twycross Zoo, these evenings offer:
- Reduced visitor capacity to make the trail less crowded.
- Lower music levels and static lighting throughout the route.
- Dedicated quiet spaces where visitors can pause and take a break.
- Staff available to offer support during the evening.
The advertised SEN evening dates for the 2026/27 season are:
- Thursday 26 November 2026
- Thursday 10 December 2026
- Friday 15 January 2027
An essential companion can receive a free carer ticket alongside a paying guest, with valid supporting evidence required. Check the official Lanterns of the Wild page for current booking details and evidence requirements, and contact the zoo beforehand if you have specific access needs.
The food village at the front of the main entrance was our final stop, and the churros and cookies absolutely hit the spot.
Churros are always a winner in our family. You can also have your cookies warmed if you prefer them that way, which is a lovely option on a cold evening.
We were second in line at both vans we visited, so neither involved a long wait. We felt the prices were reasonable for an event like this.
Dinner before the trail and something sweet afterwards worked very well for us. It turned the visit into a whole family evening out.
Is Lanterns of the Wild suitable for older children?
All three of ours loved it, and it held their interest throughout the walk. We each had favourite displays and things we wanted to stop and see.
As children grow older, some of the activities that once filled your festive calendar naturally fall away. You stop booking visits to Santa, but you still want experiences that bring everyone together and help the season feel special.
Lanterns of the Wild fits that gap beautifully. It isn’t specifically a Christmas activity, but it is perfect for this time of year.
Starting at 5 pm also meant we could enjoy dinner, the trail and dessert and still be home by 8.30 pm. Although early bedtimes are behind us now, I would have appreciated that when the children were younger.
Our tips for visiting
- Wrap up warmly. It was a very cold evening. Hats, gloves, scarves and a warm coat will help you enjoy taking your time.
- Wear comfortable footwear. We found the walking straightforward, but warm, practical boots were a good choice. Shoes can still get dirty, particularly in busy areas where excited little feet sometimes land on yours!
- Give yourself space at the start. If the first section feels crowded, let a few groups move ahead. People spread out further along the trail.
- Step aside when stopping. It makes photographs and longer looks easier while keeping the route comfortable for everyone.
- Take your camera. Photograph the lanterns, but remember to capture your family’s reactions too. Those expressions are part of what makes the evening special.
- Allow time to enjoy it. Our walk took around 90 minutes, with dinner beforehand and dessert afterwards.
Twycross Zoo Lanterns of the Wild Review: Our Verdict
For us, absolutely. We paid for our tickets last year because we wanted something different to do as a family, and we came away feeling it was well worth the money.
This year’s visit was just as enjoyable. The new displays gave us fresh things to discover, while the familiar characters and beautifully arranged scenes were a pleasure to see again.
Nothing disappointed us about our evening, and I have already messaged several people I know to recommend it, especially those with young children who love Stick Man and the Gruffalo.
But you certainly don’t need little children to enjoy it. Our family is proof of that. We went home after sharing a meal, laughing at Simon’s jokes—well, some of us did—and spending an evening outdoors enjoying something beautiful together.
Would we go again? With something a little different to discover, we would happily make it three years in a row.