The annual after dark experience at Hillier Gardens is back - and it's even better than before, despite the setbacks.

Light Up Hillier Gardens has become our new favourite festive family tradition and we were so keen to return that we were queueing up waiting to make our way through the tunnel of rainbow light to start the trail as it opened just after dark last night.

It's a real treat for all three generations of our family - six of us this time ranging in age from six to 76 - and it kept us all entertained for nearly three hours with a mulled wine / hot chocolate pitstop half way around.

One of the friendly staff told us it was a race against time to be ready, with lights not even switched on at 9pm the night before opening, which makes what we witnessed all the more impressive.

There were baubles, deer, twinkling picture frames and giant letters spelling Christmas, and that was before we even left the entrance area.

Oaks, camelia, magnolia and rhododendron are lit up in the most spectacular colours as you journey beyond a spectacular field of tulips, through woods lit up with butterflies and past Jermyn's House displaying a projection of snowflakes.

See the giant light Christmas tree, walk on a neon path of light, have your message projected onto the big screen and watch the

It's all set to atmospheric music and the interactive piano keys were an absolute delight.

There are memorable moments and selfie stations galore and the trail is a good length, even for little legs.

The food and drink village is not cheap, think £8 or £9 for a crepe, but there was plenty on offer, from fish and chips to to Yorkshire pudding wraps, via Bratwurst. Not forgetting the toasted marshmallows of course.

It's magical and memorable and unmatched locally.

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