LORD and Lady Bath are set to launch this year’s Festival of Light at Longleat at a special preview event on Friday, November 4.

They will switch on the lights in front of the historic Longleat House to bring children’s author Roald Dahl’s much-loved stories to life.

The Festival of Light display at Longleat will then run from Saturday, November 5 and throughout the festive holidays until January 8.

Called ‘The Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl’ it features a host of the acclaimed authors most iconic characters, including The Big Friendly Giant, Willy Wonka, Matilda and Fantastic Mr Fox.

Working in partnership with The Roald Dahl Story Company, Longleat is creating 23 stunning lantern scenes which will narrate his much-loved stories as part of the Wiltshire attraction’s renowned The Festival of Light.

A Longleat spokesperson said: “This year’s fantastical festival is the biggest and most ambitious to date with over 800 individual lanterns, some more than 15-metres tall, set against the historic backdrop of Longleat House, formal gardens and ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland.

“Visitors can wander through Giant Country, see Sophie in the BFG’s Cave and accompany them on their visit to Buckingham Palace.

“Step inside the gates of Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory to meet Charlie, Mike TeeVee, Violet, Veruca, Augustus Gloop and the Oompa Loompas.

“Head over to Half Mile Pond to watch James set sail for New York on the Giant Peach and brave shark-infested seas, accompany Matilda to Crunchem Hall to meet the fearsome Miss Trunchbull and join Bruno as he comes face to face with the wicked Witches.”

The illuminated outdoor trail also features key scenes from Dahl’s other stories, including Esio Trot, The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox, George’s Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, and The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me.

Other highlights include a three-metre-tall book tunnel, the BFG Flight Tunnel and a giant stack of Roald Dahl’s books in Main Square.

The festive fun continues with Longleat’s famous 15-metre Enchanted Christmas Tree Show and Santa Train, for which separate booking is required.

Tickets to The Festival of Light include the Winter Safari Drive-Through, Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, on-foot animal attractions including Koala Creek, Jungle Cruise and Family Farmyard, Adventure Castle, Rockin’ Rhino, Jungle Cruise and the Hedge Maze.

Adult tickets are from £29.95, Child from £22.45, Under Threes free.

For more information and to book tickets, click here.