Tim Davey takes a look at the festive treats on offer at Westonbirt Arboretum

Y ou will have to look long and hard to find a chimney pot but rest assured, the spirit of Christmas and good old Santa are both alive and well at the world-famous Westonbirt Arboretum.

The magnificent attraction, packed full of some wonderful trees, adds a new dimension when the festive season comes around.

Many of the trees may have shed their leaves but, no matter, they still make perfect places to decorate with some truly imaginative Christmas lighting.

So, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from November 27 until December 20, between 5pm and 8.30pm, Westonbirt offers visitors the chance to take a " magical stroll" along its famous illuminated festive trail.

Established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, Westonbirt is now managed by the Forestry Commission and is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection.

It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of the woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone. And all these combine to make a very special winter setting.

Spokesperson Gail McKenzie says: "This year there's everything from an illuminated runway, life-size willow reindeer and tree lit by solar power, to amazing lights you can turn on by singing to them! To celebrate the big switch-on by Mike Dilger (BBC One Show reporter and natural history expert), anyone under 18 arriving on the first evening dressed up as a Christmas creature – maybe Rudolf or a Christmas fairy – will get in free.

"At 6.30pm that night, the best costumes will be officially judged, with prizes including a Westonbirt Christmas tree.

"Also, for the first time this year, tickets for the Enchanted Christmas trail can be booked in advance, guaranteeing rapid entry on the night.

"On any Enchanted Christmas evening you can meet Father Christmas, sing along to some carols and pop into the Forest Shop for a host of Christmas present ideas. There's also mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, stalls and stilt walkers, to bring some seasonal cheer."

If you really want to make a night of it you can eat there, too, because the arboretum's Maples restaurant has a Christmas carvery on offer.

It's open from 5.30-7.30pm serving a two-course traditional dinner (£15.95 per head, £8.95 for children, with vegetarian option available).

Booking is essential by calling 01666 880558 or send an e-mail to maplesrestaurant@btconnect.com.

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS DETAILS:

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from November 27 to December 20, 5-8.30pm (last entry on to the site 7.15pm)

Admission: £8 adults; £7 concs; £4 children (5-18 years). Ticket sales: 01842 814612.

HOW TO FIND WESTONBIRT: It's three miles south-west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road) and 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4, and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

REINDEER TRAIL, Tuesday, December 1, to Thursday, December 24.

Discover the reasons behind many of our festive traditions and help Santa find his missing reindeer. Free after admission. Pay and display car parking at £5 per car.

TREE DRESSING, December 5

Find out what trees mean to people around the world and think about what they mean to you. Create your own natural tree decoration. 10.30am-4pm. Pay and display car parking at £5 per car.