Dusk was turning to dark when bright lights started popping up as far as I could see as I made my way towards the entrance to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park on a cold November day. As I joined the visitors waiting to enter the pake the air was thick with excitement. Children (and adults) were waving the colourful batons they had purchased from a nearby kiosk. I had decided my iPhone torch would be sufficient should I need extra light but I never did. It was a clear night and the glow from each brilliant installation showed us the way from one to another.
Fact and fancy lit my way through the various habitats in the wildlife park - all sensitively arranged so the animals, sleeping in sheds and dens, were not disturbed. Tableaux of animals including gorillas, lions, tigers and camels preceded a fantasy section.
Unicorns, scenes from the tales of Harry Potter, fairytale castles and princes lined the path I was following. Careful scrutiny revealed some amusing touches. The tree of life was opening and closing his eyes and the butterflies mingling with the faries were flapping their wings.
All-time favourites mingled with new passions and the Wizard of Oz tableau brought back happy memories for me.
There was so much to see time and distance passed very quickly. I could have stopped at one of the hot drink stations or cafes along the way but chose to keep going and marvelling at the incredible variety of installations - fish swimming in the sea, dragons, dinosaurs and finally a magnificent wolf appearing out of the fine mist of a fountain of water
This evening walk had been preceded by a lovey sunny day during which I had visited the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. My fear that the animals would all be inside was unfounded and I had some great sightings of the lions and tigers. I was enchanted by the sight of a cub snuggling up to a lion as they lazed in the sun at the opening to the den.
Of course, the evening installations are very visible during the day but were so good they added interest to a daytime walk. Some even looked better in the sunlight creating interesting reflections in the water features. As I was staying at the Hex Hotel adjacent to the wildlife park it was easy to visit during the day and then again in the evening.
The next day I made my way into Doncaster to walk with the snowmen. Clutching my map of the route and positions I made my way through the town visiting some of its famous attractions as well as ticking off the twelve snowmen that represent the Twelve Days of Christmas.
An added attraction was the Light Show in Doncaster Minster. Created through artificial intelligence (AI) it is an experience that is hard to replicate in words. It represents the creative powers of AI and makes one wonder where it will go next.
My two very interesting and enjoyable two days exploring the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Doncaster city were a lovely, all be it early, introduction to the festive season. Click on the name for more information about the Winter Illuminations and Walking with Snowmen.
Valery Collins is the Experienced Traveller.
An excellent raconteur, Valery has been writing about her experiences on the road since she started travelling 30 years ago. After publishing four books she turned to online travel writing.