Haughley Spectacle of Light is an interactive themed experience to leave you grinning like the Cheshire Cat

We first visited Spectacle of Light at Haughley Park, near Stowmarket, last year and were excited to return and see the changes – including an Alice's Adventures in Wonderland theme – in place for 2023.

However, when we arrived at Haughley it felt like we were practically dragging our tired daughter along for the experience – but all that was soon to change.

After checking in at the ticket hut (you can book online in advance or buy tickets on the gate) we walked down the path to be greeted by a giant keyhole, shimmering with mist evaporating along its blue-lit perimeter.

My husband, David, and six-year-old daughter Clara stepped through to the other side and had barely tumbled into the illuminated wooded glade before bumping into the White Rabbit, easily recognisable from Wonderland.

Although late for a very important date, the pale-haired bunny kindly took the time to talk to us and prepare Clara for meeting the Mad Hatter and the (rather bonkers) Queen of Hearts further around the trail.

Enchanted by the unexpected interaction, Clara had soon been instructed how to curtsey for royalty and told to wish the Mad Hatter a very happy 'un-birthday'.

Not only that, our precocious six-year-old was now grinning like the Cheshire Cat as she skipped happily down colourful paths lined with giant playing cards.

And this is where Haughley Spectacle of Light 2023 differs from previous illuminations events we have experienced in the past.

While stunning light installations and atmospheric music are undoubtedly the stars of the show here, the addition of a theme and accompanying performers embracing their roles takes the Spectacle of Light to a whole new dimension.

By the lake we bumped into the gangly Mad Hatter and Clara enjoyed an imaginary tea party with him and the White Rabbit, before later encountering Tweedledum and Tweedledee, who suggested a hilarious game of hide and seek down an illuminated path.

Half-way through the experience Clara turned to me and said: "The actors playing the parts are really the best. Last year it was just boring old lights, but this year it is amazing."

Now, I think the 'boring old lights' (Clara's words, not mine) are absolutely breathtaking and something I would wish to see again and again.

However, for a six-year-old the bonus of meeting the Queen of Hearts and shouting 'off with your head' at her makes Spectacle of Light an entirely different experience, which will likely never be forgotten.

Meanwhile, the event also offer the chance to eat and drink to your heart's content, if you so wish.

A street food area in the barn courtyard includes vendors selling freshly-cooked pizzas, chips, burgers, mulled wine, coffee, hot chocolate, fizzy pop, alcoholic beverages and more.

Clara's eye was caught by a stall selling giant marshmallows on long wooden sticks – we were soon persuaded to buy one to toast over the adjacent fire pit.

Inwardly I was panicking at the thought of molten marshmallow oozing over Clara's face, hands and clothes when I was not armed with wipes (this is a situation I have found myself in before and only another – better-prepared – mum's generosity saved us all from being a sticky mess).

Luckily, Clara did not really want to toast her mallows but to eat them in their normal state – a word to the wise though, take wipes if your child is likely to want a toasted marshmallow!

After our pit-stop, we were back on the trail with our eyes peeled for the Queen of Hearts.

We found the mad monarch stalking the garden in front of the main hall, entertaining visitors with her random musings.

Clara giggled as she shouted 'off with your head' at the Queen before curtseying, just as the White Rabbit had instructed.

Then we turned a corner to see Humpty Dumpty perched atop a wall, before we skipped across illuminated chess boards on the ground and encountered a giant croquet game set up on the lawn.

A wishing tree near the end of the trail offers the chance to make a donation to St Elizabeth Hospice, tie a ribbon on a branch and make a wish.

Clara was thrilled to do so – holding her ribbon tight and closing her eyes as she made her secret wish – before we walked the path to the trail's end.

"Is it over?" Clara questioned, dejected.

Just then, a volunteer steward piped up 'you can go around again if you like'. And so we did just that: Clara leading the way, skipping back into Wonderland with that Cheshire Cat grin spread across on her face.

I'd like to say the second tour was a whistlestop affair, but Clara seemed more determined to savour each moment this time.

When it came to the street food area we did not toast marshmallows again, but we did buy some hot food and stop in the barn to eat it. While there Clara also completed a colouring-in masterpiece and made a donation to the hospice to enter it into a competition (and chose a second ribbon to add to the wishing tree further along the trail).

Meeting Tweedledum and Tweedledee resulted in another raucous game of hide and seek, while the Queen was even more determined to beat our giggling six-year-old during a shouting contest of 'off with your head'.

We had been at Haughley for the best part of two hours when we finally made our way back to our vehicle.

"Clara, did you enjoy it in the end after you didn't want to get out of the car for it earlier?" teased my husband, knowing full well the previously-stroppy six-year-old had lapped up the entire experience.

Two days later she was still talking about it, which in my book chalks Spectacle of Light up as a resounding success. We plan to return again next year.

Our Spectacle of Light tips:

- Spectacle of Light is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings until February 26, with entry times from 5.30pm to 7.45pm

- Limited tickets are available on the gate

- Buy tickets online – £22 adults, children aged three-15 £11, under threes free, family ticket (two adults and two children) £57 and registered carers free – at https://www.haughleypark.co.uk/public-events/spectacle/

- The estimated walk time is around an hour (or longer if you repeat the experience, as we did)

- Parking is free

- The illuminated trail is wheelchair accessible

- Dogs are welcome on a short lead

- Spectacle of Light is a fantastic experience for all ages. We enjoyed a fun family evening, but it would also be a romantic night out for couples

- Dress for the weather – we wore Wellington boots just in case, but would have been fine wearing regular footwear on our visit. However, future weather conditions might impact your footwear and clothing choices.