Magical Lantern Festival, Chiswick House

Back again for 2017, the Magical Lantern Festival has vast, glittering lanterns that light up the night's sky and the rolling gardens of Chiswick House.

The theme for 2017 is Christmas, so the lantern trail will feature a fusion of two different cultures, with lantern installations ranging from 'Santa and his Reindeers' to 'Ancient city from the Song Dynasty.'

Innovative international street food will be available from an on-site foodie market, and seasonal activities for families will include a magical Santa's grotto. We recommend loading up on hot snacks and drinks before beginning your adventure.

This artistic installation features over 50 vast sculpted lanterns in all shapes and sizes. Last year, this included jewel-coloured exotic animals and birds as well as monuments and monsters.

Homed in the 18th Century Chiswick House gardens (the birthplace of the English landscape movement), collections of lanterns depicting different scenes appear suddenly as you wander round the lakes and flowerbeds, sparkling in their various forms.

Those who go to Chiswick for the Magic Lantern Festival should try to visit the English Heritage building before it closes (at 4:30pm). It is one of the finest examples of neo-palladian design in England, having been built by the third Earl of Burlington in 1729 to showcase his art collection.

We had a great time wandering the grounds and admiring the multi-coloured creatures and creations that burst out of the darkness at us, but we recommend that you go with as many layers, scarves and hats in tow as possible. By the time we completed our lap of the grounds, which took us about an hour and a half, we were thoroughly frozen.

Culture Whisper is offering free pairs of tickets to our Gold Whisper members.

Suitable for children (and adults) of all ages