Christmas Enchantment at Longwood Gardens
What if you knew a place where each year a spellbinding Christmas display awaited?
And…what if that beguiling place got – even better?
And…what if you could be one of the first humans on the planet to see the magnificent improvements and the captivating Christmas displays?
AND…what if…what if… you would arrive at this magical place and were whisked into a special, behind-the-scenes VIP overview – by Jim Sutton, Associate Director, Design -the genius behind the spectacular Christmas exhibits that will only be fully revealed as darkness falls – ?
And…what if…you were served light refreshments while you are bedazzled by the behind-the-scenes look from a true artist?
Your Christmas wishes will all come true this year, on December 11, with a special, once-in-a-lifetime jaunt to Longwood Gardens, offered by Oxford Community Center in partnership with Oxford Garden Club.
“The Oxford Community Center is delighted to partner with the Oxford Garden Club to offer a wonderful Holiday bus excursion and group tour of Longwood Gardens. The spectacular displays of decorated trees, floral creations, and blooms as far as the eye can see will delight your senses and celebrate the season in splendor! Oxford is fortunate to have a resident who works at Longwood Gardens who will greet the group and share some secrets of the garden – A special VIP trip indeed!” Enthused Liza Ledford, Executive Director of the Oxford Community Center. Non-Oxford residents are also welcome, of course!
All that, AND this year…this year… is unique because your outing also offers a trip through the the breathlessly anticipated “Longwood Reimagined” journey through new gardens, new greenhouses, new walkways. On December 11 “Longwood Reimagined” will have been open for only 19 days – which means you will be amongst the very first humans ever to wander the incredible scene.
“Longwood Reimagined” was three years in the making. Longer than that in the dreaming and planning. Blending the historic heritage with state-of-the-art innovation, “Longwood Reimagined” is an ambitious, legacy enhancing, expansion of the Longwood Gardens chronicles. Longwood has, for the past 100 years, reflected the dream of visionary Pierre S. du Pont, who would undoubtedly be overjoyed at the vision and beauty of Longwood’s new incarnation.
Planned to create a journey of wonder, gorgeous new “glass house” conservatory buildings, designed to mimic, with state-of-the-art enhancements, the original lovely greenhouses and other buildings. Wander wide-eyed through literally acres of glass and gardens beneath it all. New indoor and outdoor gardens blend with the old, meeting seamlessly, all designed to enhance the visitor’s voyage into a startlingly creative journey from east to west… Opening into winding paths designed to show off breathtaking views of the Brandywine Valley. It’s brand spanking new!
Nowhere else will you see a a 32,000 sq. ft. glass house that seems to float on the water. The “Chrystal Palace” West Conservatory is just that, gardens and patios beneath glass with charming walkways surrounded by Mediterranean inspired gardens. Simply stunning, and you won’t see this anywhere else in the world. On this trip, you’ll be one of the first to ever trod the new paths!
And… there’s the “Cascade Garden,” the one and only North American manifestation of the world renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, often referred to as “the father of modern landscape design.” A sort of “rainforest-revisited” in and of itself, it is now housed in in a 3,800 sq. ft. home of its very own, having been moved whole and carefully preserved to maintain the integrity of the original, world famous, garden.
And…if that wasn’t enough…the “Bonsai Courtyard” provides scenes of utter tranquility. Inspired by serene Japanese gardens, nature’s beauty combines with artistic mastery. View bonsai trees are always fascinating, and these were created by the world’s
foremost bonsai experts and placed in a setting designed to enhance the experience. The collection includes many unique specimens donated to Longwood Gardens from the Kennett Collection.
Once your eyes are almost tired of all the resplendence, rest for a pace and treat yourself to a beverage or light dinner at the new “1906” dining room, bar and lounge, with vistas onto the Main Fountain plaza.
After refreshment, wander the famous Christmas light gardens (which you will know all about!), which bring people from all over just to view each year. For many, the tour of Longwood’s Christmas scenes are as ubiquitous as the Nutcracker ballet is to others. If you’ve never seen it – go now. You’ll never forget it.
Treat yourself and your loved ones. A Christmas memory that all will share!
The tour is a mere $160 ($140 for Oxford Garden Club members) – unbeatable at the price for this captivating once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The coach will leave Oxford Community Center at 1 pm, make another stop to pick up at 1:30 pm at the Easton Airport. It will arrive at Longwood Gardens at 3:30. Departure from Longwood Gardens at 7:30 pm, with drop offs at the Airport and will arrive in Oxford at roughly 10 pm.
Join us!