***We were gifted free entry to Slimbridge WWT in order to share our experience with you. All words and opinions are my own.***
Slimbridge Wetlands Centre is a great family day out; we reviewed their Spring SEND day earlier this year.
I was really pleased to be invited back to visit the Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience, running in the evenings from 16th October 2026 through to the 1st November.
Twilight SEND Sessions
On selected dates, they are running SEND twilight sessions; this is when we visited. The sessions are held during twilight with entry at 5.45 & 6 pm so that the lighting is softer. Background music is turned down, and the interactive actors and the marsh witch all take a more relaxed approach.
The SEND session was quiet and felt calm and relaxed. Arriving at 5.45 it was still fairly light outside, so the lanterns were not at their full potential yet. However, this worked really well for our boys; we were able to see the swans and take part in the activities available when it wasn’t busy (more on these below).
We walked the trail, did the activities, and enjoyed the sunset. After this, we decided to walk the trail again (you can go round as many times as you like) so we could enjoy the lanterns in the dark. In the pictures above you can see the difference in the Kingfisher lantern at the bottom when we arrived and then just above in the dark an hour later.
Interactive Experience
As you walk around the trail, you may encounter some actors (pictured below) and volunteers /staff members. Everyone we spoke with was lovely and keen to help us enjoy our evening. They were also very patient and helpful with both our boys helping to make it a fun experience.
My youngest really enjoyed getting to help the witch with her magic potion and being able to add a wish to the cauldron.
Mystical Lanterns
The lanterns are stunning and perfectly chosen for the wetland setting. From beautiful birds like the Kingfisher and Owl to a range of animals like foxes, deer, badgers and bats.
It is a beautiful trail and especially magical as you pass all the birds on Swan Lake. My son was in awe every time birds flew overhead on their way to bed!
Lantern Making & Marshmallow Toasting Activities
There are activities available to make the evening extra special. The Lantern Making and Marshmallow Toasting both cost extra.
Creating our own lanterns was a lovely experience. The boys were given a lantern to stick coloured paper on; staff were on hand to help us put the lantern together and add in our LED tealight. It was a simple activity, making it really accessible and perfect for taking along the trail with us. As it was quiet in the SEND session, we had plenty of assistance with our lanterns, making it an easy experience. I love the lanterns, they looked great in the dark and even survived the trip home, so we will use them for Halloween.
Another extra option is marshmallow toasting, my eldest really enjoyed doing this. Again being quiet in the SEND session meant we were able to do this with just one other family, it was much busier later in the evening.
Sensory Heven
Along the trail were a couple of great free activities perfect for those sensory seekers. The colour-changing smoke-filled bubbles were such a hit, it was a job dragging my youngest away (he made us go back three times). They also had a silent disco which was great fun.
The small soft play area, frog/ amphibian exhibit and a couple of the LEGO sculptures were all also along the trail, meaning could be enjoyed. The restaurant was open and perfect for a hot chocolate and some cakes to round off our evening. The shop was open for the evening and well worth a visit for beautiful books, games and gifts.
A wonderful family event running through half term with a family-friendly Halloween feel, making it perfect for this time of year. Very reasonably priced for the experience at £14.95 per person, carers get free entry. – https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/whats-on/mystical-marsh-lantern-experience
As a family we have been to WWT Slimbridge a few times and we always have a lovely time. They also now have a changing places facility and it is a great accessible and inclusive place to visit with something for everyone. Also keep an eye out for their SEND days throughout the year we had a brilliant time in the Spring, you can see more about that here – Spring SEND day
At the time of writing tickets are still available for the Mystical Marsh trail as well as for the Twighlight SEND Sessions on Sunday 18th, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October. Find out more here: Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience
Have you been to the Mystical Marsh Halloween Lantern Trail at Slimbridge? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.
