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Wolverhampton West Park has lights makeover for Christmas

BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
At various points around the trial, there are interactive sections aimed at children

In its 142-year history, Wolverhampton's West Park has probably never been so bathed in light.

The park, situated about five minutes from the Molineux, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, was opened in 1881 and is considered to be one of the best, unspoilt examples of a Victorian park in England.

And throughout December it's home to Luminate Wolverhampton, a mile-long lights trail set to music, built around the tree-lined park.

Thousands of lightbulbs have been placed across the site over the last 10 days to create the spectacle.

BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
West Park's famous conservatory has also been illuminated for Luminate
BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
Three illuminated walkways feature in the trail
BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
The largest tunnel, next to the park's tennis courts, contains 30,000 bulbs

The park is owned by City of Wolverhampton Council, and cabinet member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, said: "West Park is one of the finest parks in England - it's unblemished, it's untouched, it's beautiful, so why not show it off to the whole of England?

"We want to bring people into the city and give people a choice. We had the Christmas lights switch-on the other night - over 47,000 people came into the city, and we're expecting thousands to come here."

He added: "We've got Premier League football, we've got the new Halls concert venue just been done - sell-out crowds night after night after night.

"There's so many events we're putting on in the city to bring people in. And while they're here, they're spending money in the city."

BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
West Park's boating lake provides colourful reflections of the illuminated trees
BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
Luminate has been running events across the UK for the last 12 years
BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
This year, there are also Luminate events in Coventry, Birmingham and Shugborough, near Stafford
BBC Luminate WolverhamptonBBC
West Park's last day in the limelight was during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 when it hosted the cycling time trial

Luminate Wolverhampton runs between 1 and 24 December, with entry to the park from 16:45 GMT.

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