Midsummer Lights at Rococo Gardens

I’ll be honest, when my girlfriend told me we were going to a picnic at 8pm on a Sunday night I was sceptical to say the least but I must say that Midsummer Lights was a welcome surprise.

Her vague description involved “lights” and “people hanging from trees” which did little to entertain my scepticism.

Neither of us have visited Rococo Garden in Painswick in the daytime before let alone at night but we arrived just before sunset, which you are met by straight after entering the front gate.

Friendly staff guide you down to the picnic area, where we set up our blanket right by the pond and still managing to keep a safe distance from other visitors.

The first hour was spent in anticipation, as the daylight slowly faded the lights all around began to capture imagination as a variety of colourful characters appeared from the shadows to entertain guests.

At half nine the real show began, the characters dispersed to their various homes and guests were free to roam the garden grounds.

We started our adventure by heading down into the forest where a disco ball dazzled, as the trees adopted a marvellous array of colour.

In the centre of the forest was an aerialist, slowly twining up and down from forest floor to leafy treetops.

We then emerged from the forest, arriving at the next performer, a fire artist, before heading up to the hill to the equally engrossing hula hoop dancer.

We continued up the hill, coming face-to-knee with the illuminated stilt walker, we only stayed here briefly but from what I could see he juggled and chatted with the audience below.

Up the hill even further so was the musical bard which was possibly the best way to finish our adventure as he serenaded the crowds before we headed back down to our picnic spot for the grand finale.

I’m not usually a huge fan of fireworks but the display at Midsummer Lights really did sum up all the emotions I had felt throughout the night and the word “magic” just couldn’t escape my mind.

Sat right by the pond, now glowing with the reflection of fireworks, the explosions were perfectly timed with the joyful and dramatic music.

My initial scepticism, caused in large part by the £30 entry fee, was completely obliterated by the end.

Maybe it was down to the monotony of the past 16 months, but it really did feel like a once in a lifetime event, I just hope this isn’t the case.

There is still a few days left to indulge in the magic, the final night is Friday July 30.